Christchurch & South Island Things to Do

With an entire network of rivers cascading down from the Southern Alps, and only a million residents in an area the size of New York, the South Island of New Zealand is a rugged paradise for river pursuits suck as kayaking, boating, and white water rafting.

This post originally appeared on Viator’s travel blog as the Top 25 Things to Do in Australia and New Zealand as part of our annual Viator Travel Awards.

 Each year we check out traveler reviews, data from the millions of people who travel with Viator.com during the year, and information on which tours in the region travelers book most often and select the best things to do in the region. From the list, here are some of the top things to do in New Zealand! 

Held each November during the crisp months of spring, the New Zealand Cup and Show Week in Christchurch is a formal fusion of horse-racing, fashion, agriculture and music. Held at the Riccarton Park Racecourse and Addington Raceway, crowds of over 20,000 people gather to experience the excitement of harness racing, horse racing, and to partake in all the wine tasting, toe-tapping, and sheep-shearing festivities.

It’s no secret that the South Island of New Zealand is regarded as one of the most scenic places on the planet. While many will tell you the absolute best way to experience this beauty is from the windows of a helicopter, why not try something a little different and tour the South Island of New Zealand from the basket of a hot air balloon?

There is a certain buzz surrounding ski towns where the first snows of the year begin to fall, and what better way to harness this excitement than with a ten-day, city-wide festival dedicated to unbridled enjoyment and merriment? Ever since 1975 when the June snow starts falling in Queenstown, the entire community gets into party mode and welcomes over 40,000 visitors to what is arguably the biggest winter blowout found anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.

Nestled snugly around the edges of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by snow-covered mountains, Queenstown attracts nearly two million visitors per year. Many come to relax and rejuvenate and enjoy Queenstown’s gorgeous natural setting, but the great majority of visitors come for seeking thrills and adventure.