Find free things to do on vacation on South Island, New Zealand. This information is excerpted from New Zealand's Information Network
All photos are copyrighted by C. Lee - all rights reserved. Contact bargainhunterhotline@gmail.com for permission to reproduce.Blenheim
Wine Trail
Pick up a Wine Trail Guide and tour the famous trail by coach, car or cycle
Enjoy free samplings of world-class character wines and perhaps dine amongst the vines.
Follow the Blenheim Arts and Crafts Trail
See factory shops and charming country galleries for paua (abalone), greenstone (jade), native woods, artwork, pottery, sculptures and handcrafts.
Beavertown
Stroll through the authentic colonial streets of Beavertown
This replica of early Blenheim brings its history to life.
Go bushwalking on the Northbank trails
The Richmond Forest Park has numerous signposted trails above the Wairau Valley.
Molesworth Station
Spend a day on Molesworth Station (New Zealand’s largest sheep station)
See towering peaks, barren scree slopes, vast grassy flats and native wildlife.
Cloudy Bay Coastal Route
Drive the scenic Cloudy Bay Coastal Route
This 2 hour loop road offers great seascapes and picnic opportunities.
Picton
Drive to Picton - the gateway to the South Island
Tramp part of the Queen Charlotte Walkway. Another option is the Nydia Track from Havelock (the home of green-lipped mussels).
Christchurch
Hagley Park
Get acquainted with Christchurch by strolling through Hagley Park’s leafy glades
Admire the stately old English trees, colourful themed flower beds in the Botanic Gardens and the tranquillity of the meandering Avon River (spanned by 30 bridges).
Banks Peninsula
Explore the bays and peninsulas of Banks Peninsula
Take to the coastal walking tracks and see the diverse marine life - seals, penguins and Hector’s dolphins (the world’s smallest and rarest species).
Mt Cook
Drive to Mt Cook for stunning views of the Southern Alps
Check the Visitor Centre for details of superb walks up glacial valleys and the lower slopes. Excursions by 4WD, Kayak, ski plane and helicopter are also available.
Greymouth
The town’s central location makes it an ideal base for excursions to Punakaiki, Westport and Karamea in the north and Hokitika, The Glaciers and Haast in the south. Five of New Zealand’s National Parks and a World Heritage Area are found here amongst the Coast’s towering peaks, lush rainforests, raging rivers, grinding glaciers and brooding lakes.
Beachcombing
Semi-precious gemstones and weirdly-shaped driftwood is washed up on the stony beaches.
Look for dolphins
Hector’s dolphins often swim off the Grey River mouth.
Stretch your legs on the easily accessible local walkways
The Point Elizabeth, Coal Creek and other local walks offer great bush and sea views.
Drive out to the tranquillity of Lake Brunner
Relax in this pristine area and enjoy some quiet fishing, boating, yachting or canoeing.
Drive to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowhole
Marvel at these weird rock stacks and then visit the wonderful limestone cave formations at the Pororari River.
Drive on to Westport for more adventures
Visit the seals at Cape Foulwind, tramp the Charming Creek Walkway, try gold panning or sea and river fishing.
Drive south to the peaceful gold town of Hokitika
This onetime goldfield’s capital had 3500 rowdy miners and 102 hotels. See artisans working the ‘new gold’ - greenstone (jade).
Take a night walk in Hokitika to see the glow-worms
On the edge of town is a charming dell with a natural archway of trees. Millions of sparkling lights make an unforgettable sight.
Continue south to the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers
Road access takes you close to the terminal face of both glaciers and guided walks on the ice are available.
Rise early at Fox Glacier to view Mt Cook and Mt Tasman
Drive a short distance along the coast road for stunning views of the cloud-piercing peaks.
Visit Lake Matheson just 5 km from Fox, on a clear morning
View a picture-perfect postcard scene with the peaks reflected in the satin smooth lake surface.
Take a short walk to the Fox Glacier terminal face over the riverbed
Listen to the creaking and cracking as the giant river of ice releases glacial torrents into the rushing river.
Call in to the Fox Glacier Visitor Centre for an update on other local tracks
Easy to moderate tramping tracks are the Minnehaha Walk, Moraine Walk, River Walk, Valley Walk, Chalet Lookout Walk and the Glow-worm Grotto.
Drive out to Gillespie’s Beach on the storm-lashed coast
Experience the remoteness of a wilderness surf beach with snow-capped peaks as a backdrop. The seal colony is a 3 hour return walk along the foreshore.
Drive to Franz Josef Glacier and visit the terminal icefall
The riverbed walk is longer than Fox (around 2 km from Sentinel Rock lookout).
Call into the Franz Josef Visitor Centre
Pick up a leaflet on local self-guided walks such as Douglas Walk, Lake Wombat Walk, Callery-Waiho Walk and longer tramps to Robert’s Point and Alex Knob.
Visit the salmon farm at Paringa
View quinnat salmon in their rearing ponds, feed them and then treat yourself to some sweet delicacies.
Visit Whataroa and take a white heron tour
Paddle a kayak on the Okarito Lagoon and view these majestic birds in their natural habitat (nesting period is November-February).
Drive down to the Haast World Heritage Area Visitor Centre
Examine the excellent displays and take a local walk through wetlands, rainforest and coastal lagoons.
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Enjoy the stillness and serenity of the South Island’s largest lake and the primeval ambience of the Murchison Mountains (home of the rare takahe bird).
Walk around the lakeshore to the Wildlife Park
View endangered native birds and continue on to the Lake Outlet and Dock Bay, a popular picnic and swimming spot.
Consider an all day walk on the nearby Kepler Track
Drive to Rainbow Reach on the Lower Waiau River and walk 3 hours through pure pristine wilderness back to the lakeshore.
Drive down to Lake Manapouri for a walk
Walk options are Stockyard Cove and The Monument and the more challenging Cone Peak.
Drive up the Eglinton Valley
Marvel at the unspoiled wilderness and walk to viewpoints like Key Summit, Lake Marion and the Gertrude Saddle.
Continue on to Milford Sound through the Homer Tunnel
This is New Zealand’s most spectacular wilderness drive.
On the return from Milford take a side trip down the Hollyford Valley
Tramp in to Hidden Falls Hut for an overnight stay or return to Hollyford Camp.
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