Go Explore

Explore further afield in the South Island

Arthur’s Pass – 2 hours

Hiking

Arthur’s Pass is the highest route through the Southern Alps, connecting the vast Canterbury Plains in the east with the wild and rugged West Coast. Drive this spectacular journey at your own pace, or relax and take the famous TranzAlpine train. The National Park is a popular spot with hikers, with day trippers particularly enjoying the walk to the Devil’s Punchbowl Falls.

Tekapo Springs – 3 hours

Hot Pools

After a busy day of sightseeing there’s no better place to relax than at Tekapo Springs Hot Pools in Lake Tekapo. Overlooking the beauty of Lake Tekapo and the mountains beyond, the experience features sauna and steam rooms, and a fully equipped day spa.

Tekapo Stargazing – 3 hours

Observatories

Don’t miss stargazing in the Mackenzie Basin, home to the world’s largest International Dark Sky Reserve with some of the clearest skies. Check out Dark Sky Project in Lake Tekapo or Big Sky Stargazing at Aoraki Mount Cook Village for the chance to gaze into space through powerful telescopes.

Aoraki Mt Cook – 4 hours

New Zealand’s largest glacier – Tasman Glacier – is accessible on foot, by bike and by boat. Glacier Explorers take you onto the terminal lake, where you can touch icebergs or marvel at our tallest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook. The National Park here is popular for short and multi-day walks, including the Governors Bush Walk and the Hooker Valley Track.

Alps 2 Ocean – 4 hours

Cycle Trail

Travelling from the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean, this 300km cycle trail showcases the most dramatic scenery New Zealand has to offer. Bike your way through Aoraki Mt Cook National Park alongside glacial-fed lakes, and on to golden grasslands, limestone cliffs and Māori rock art. This trail suits all abilities, and includes a mixture of off and on road trail.

TranzAlpine Rail Journey – 4.5 hours

Scenic Train

Connecting Christchurch to Greymouth on the West Coast, the TranzAlpine is one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys. It cuts across the Southern Alps, through the patchwork of the Canterbury Plains and the Arthur’s Pass National Park – some of New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes.