New Zealand Travel Guide - Best Places to Sightsee

In this New Zealand Travel Guide video we'll explore the best places to see in New Zealand, go over some South Island travel tips and explore places like the Milford Sound, Queenstown and some road trip destinations.

Hi, I’m Michael Johnson, filmmaker and owner of Film Compass - a travel channel showcasing this world’s natural wonders and amazing cities. Without further ado, here are some of the South Island’s best places to visit and travel to.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
00:17 Milford Sound
01:30 Queenstown
02:06 Road Trips
03:25 Outro

1. Milford Sound

This section is a Milford Sound travel guide to help you understand what a tour up the sound will feel like. This fjord is situated in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. About 2 hours from Te Anau and a 4 hours drive from Queenstown, this fjord is worth any amount of time it takes to get to. I would say my entire trip became worth it as soon as I landed, but it wasn’t until I made it to the Milford Sound that I realized I wish I could stay here forever.

The drive to the Milford Sound or sometimes called Piopiotahi - will have you pass by towering peaks, snow capped mountains, raging waterfalls that stretch to the sky and even a rainforest with beautiful ferns covering the ground. Once you get to this incredible place inside New Zealand’s Fjordland, you’ll want to take a Milford Sound tour which only costs about $100 for a 2 hour cruise up the sound. You’ll pass by the famous Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls. Bring a rain jacket and a camera because you will get very close to Stirling Falls on your way back through the fjord.

PS. Don’t worry if it’s raining, seeing the Milford Sound is worth it and could be considered New Zealand's best place to visit and explore no matter the weather. The rain creates some massive waterfalls which sometimes can’t be seen during the dryer season!

Other attractions include the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory, Milford Foreshore Walk and Harrison Cove. All places well worth seeing on your next trip here!

Milford Sound tour information and prices can be found here: https://www.mitrepeak.com/


2. Queenstown

You don't want to miss out on these Queenstown travel tips. Also known as the Adventure Capital of the World, Queenstown if a perfect location to call home base on the South Island. Some of the funnest things to do in Queenstown include taking a hike, seeing the small quaint town of Arrowtown, experiencing a Jet Boat Ride, bungy jumping or diving into the cool waters of Lake Wakatipu.

Speaking of Lake Wakatipu, I would recommend taking the TSS Earnslaw for a relaxing 45 minute harbor cruise up the lake to see the large sheep farm known as the Walter Peak High Country Farm. This massive sheep farm covers over 25,000 hectares or 61,000 acres. It’s no wonder that New Zealand has more sheep than people!

The TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak Farm Tour usually costs around $70 per person. The farm tour includes feeding the animals, afternoon tea and an excellent sheep dog herding demonstration.

The total duration of your tour aboard the TSS Earnslaw to see the sheep station lasts approximately 3 - 4 hours.

More Information about the Walter Peak Sheep Farm can be found here: https://www.getyourguide.com/queensto...


Read Below to learn more about fantastic day trips from Queenstown!

3. Road Trips

A New Zealand road trip is something you don't want to miss out on! Traveling all of New Zealand’s South Island can be a challenge. That’s why I recommend a road trip or caravanning with friends and family. If you’re staying in Queenstown though there are many places you can check out during a daytrip.

From shopping in Arrowtown, skiing at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables to taking New Zealand’s Jet Boat rides along Lake Wakatipu - there’s plenty of day trip activities to see near Queenstown.

If you’re looking to venture out farther though you’ll see a coastline more beautiful than you dreamed. Heading north of Queenstown on highway 6 through the towns of Wanaka and Lake Hawea you’ll reach New Zealand’s West Coast. This coastline stretches for miles and miles. You’ll pass by gorgeous New Zealand beaches, turquoise waters, towering trees and enchanting rainforests along your drive up the coast.

Something really special is you could be enjoying a day on a sandy beach while only a few minutes away is a glacier. Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier are very near to each other. Both glaciers offer astonishing views and can be accessed by Highway 6.

Other beautiful towns to see along New Zealand’s west coast are Hokitika and Cape Foulwind.

No matter where you're at in New Zealand you are in for an amazing time. I hope you enjoyed this list of places to see in New Zealand. Stay tuned for more videos!

I hope you enjoyed this New Zealand Travel Guide - Best Places to Sightsee video - Thank you for watching!