What to do and see in South Island, New Zealand: The Best Traveler Resources

January 24, 2022 Fernanda Pittenger

Discover the best top things to do in South Island, New Zealand including Oyster Allsorts, Turanga, Timaru Visitor Centre, Kaikoura i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre, Nelson i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, Invercargill i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, Christchurch i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, Queenstown i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre.
Restaurants in South Island

1. Oyster Allsorts

72 Gore Street, Bluff 9814 New Zealand +64 3-212 7222 http://oysterallsortsbluff.webs.com/
Excellent
90%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 10 reviews

Oyster Allsorts

Reviewed By banafsha - Nelson, New Zealand

One of those lovely places where you can find a choice of things to do. Great on a rainy day, Oyster allsorts is a cafe with a small museum, or collection of local photos and artefacts, and also a shop with attractive local crafts and cards to buy. It has a lounge-sized bathroom, always a bonus when you can get in and out without bruising your knees. They were a bit overwhelmed by a party of thirteen when we arrived so we left, looking for another open cafe. But there wasn't one.

2. Turanga

60 Cathedral Square, Christchurch 8011 New Zealand +64 3-941 7923 https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/turanga/
Excellent
84%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 58 reviews

Turanga

Reviewed By 277PeterC277 - Seattle, United States

What a terrific surprise recommended to us by one of the market place dinner vendors. I would not have put that I should go visit a library while on holiday- this is an exception! We could have spent hours here, hats off to the people of Christchurch for the vision to put together such a great space. We had to explore top to bottom and found such wonderful spaces everywhere. The learning environment this creates for young people will have a generational impact. Another great bonus is the views of the Cathedral Square- here is where you want to take your photos vs through all the construction gates. How do we get one of these where we live? Staff were great at answering our very touristy questions and sharing there amazing work space with us. I'd actually put this on my "Must see" list for Christchurch.

3. Timaru Visitor Centre

2 George Street, Timaru 7910 New Zealand +64 3-688 4452 [email protected] https://www.southcanterbury.org.nz/visitorinfo
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Timaru Visitor Centre

Reviewed By WayneAP - City of Greater Geelong, Australia

Housed in a great old Bluestone building the Visitor Centre has a great stock of information and very helpful and knowledgeable staff. The building also houses the Maori rock art display where you can get a guided tour or just amble through at your leisure. The cost $22.00 per adult is a reasonable price to see great art.

4. Kaikoura i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

West End, Kaikoura 7300 New Zealand +64 3-319 5641 [email protected] http://www.kaikoura.co.nz/
Excellent
60%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 321 reviews

Kaikoura i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

We are the official Kaikoura i-SITE Visitor Information Centre and your local experts in our region which is the number one choice for visitors. This Qualmark endorsed centre is part of New Zealand's official Visitor Information Network (i-SITE) and the only official government approved information and booking centre in Kaikoura. We are also the only visitor centre not owned or affiliated with any tourism operator thus remain unbiased about the best products to suit our visitors. We are your ‘one stop shop’ for travel advice and bookings for Kaikoura tours, activities and accommodation. As an official i-SITE, we also specialise in travel arrangements for all New Zealand destinations. Better still, our service to you is FREE

Reviewed By Rosemary73 - Ashburton, New Zealand

We called into the centre to see what additional information might be available for the area on biking tracks. The staff were very friendly and helpful. We always visit these centres as usually they have the current un to date information. A fairly good selection in the gift shop as well.

5. Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre

State Highway 73, Arthur's Pass National Park 7654 New Zealand +64 3-318 9211 [email protected] http://www.doc.govt.nz/link/3120d75192f64d9d97d84780c898b354.aspx
Excellent
58%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 215 reviews

Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre

Reviewed By klvmar

We stopped at the Arthur's Pass Visitor Center after a foggy, rainy drive from Greymouth, en route to Christchurch. It was a nice break from the weather. The staff said it was generally rainy in that area...although all of the postcards show bright sunny days. Regardless, the Visitor Centre had a nice selection of maps, postcards, pins, and clothing and the staff was helpful and informative about the remainder of our journey.

6. Nelson i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

77 Trafalgar Street Millers Acre Centre, Nelson 7040 New Zealand +64 3-548 2304 [email protected] http://www.nelsontasman.nz
Excellent
65%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 220 reviews

Nelson i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Located on the corner of Trafalgar & Halifax Streets. Friendly, Knowledgeable and Enthusiastic i-SITE Travel Consultants. We can book your NZ Travel, Accommodation and Activities at no extra cost. Incredible i-SITE space incorporating the Nelson DOC Visitor Centre. Lots of incredible picture boards with display brochures and information on our region and beyond. Let us take the hassle out of booking your holiday in our beautiful region and across the country. Quick, easy, secure, cost effective. We also sell tickets to a range of local and national events.

Reviewed By Sharon52NZ

The 2 ladies that work here were brilliant. We were unsure about doing the Split Apple rock, as the weather had turned, through them we found out we could drive out and do a short walk, we ended up with photos just as good as those taken if you did a cruise or kayak out. Both ladies went out of their way making phone calls and googling times to see if the cruises were still running. Even found out there was a coffee cruise for those not wanting a whole day outing

7. Invercargill i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Wachner Place, Invercargill 9810 New Zealand +64 3-211 0895 [email protected] http://southlandnz.com/invercargill/information-centre/invercargill-i-site
Excellent
63%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 88 reviews

Invercargill i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

At the Invercargill i-SITE you'll find local staff brimming with knowledge about the best things to see and do in Invercargill and throughout Southland. We have information on activities, accommodation and transport throughout New Zealand. From major attractions to hidden gems off the beaten track, our friendly staff can help you plan an itinerary that works for you, whatever your interests, time and budget. We can take the hassle out of booking each service one-by-one. Let us recommend suitable services, then book and confirm on your behalf, with only one total payment rather than a myriad of individual payments.

8. Christchurch i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

28 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch 8013 New Zealand +64 3-379 9629 [email protected] http://visitchristchurchnz.com/
Excellent
60%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 363 reviews

Christchurch i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

The Christchurch i-SITE Visitor Centre is your one-stop travel shop for all domestic travel so call in and see us! We are always on the lookout for great deals so you can make the most of your holiday. Dear valued visitors, Due to the rapidly changing global situation with the COVID-19 virus, we have made the difficult, but necessary decision to close our Visitor Centre to visitors, till further notice. Our i-SITE Team will continue to offer support and advice to those of you visiting our city - every day from 9am – 5pm via phone and email. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Reviewed By RonaldC2214 - Taipei, Taiwan

Always informative from every i-Site in New Zealand. Ms. Sarah in the Christchurch i-Site was so knowledgeable about the whole New Zealand, she helps my trip around this incredible country much more worthwhile, in terms of time better spent, money better used, experiences much more enhanced. My heartily appreciation for such organization and partners particularly like Ms. Sarah .

9. Queenstown i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Corner Camp & Shotover Streets Clocktower Building, Queenstown 9300 New Zealand +64 3-442 4100 [email protected] http://www.queenstownisite.co.nz
Excellent
59%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 336 reviews

Queenstown i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

We are the official Queenstown i-SITE Visitor Information Centre and your local experts in our region which is the number one choice for visitors. This Qualmark endorsed centre is part of New Zealand's official Visitor Information Network (i-SITE) and the only official government approved information and booking centre in Queenstown. We are also the only visitor centre not owned or affiliated with any tourism operator thus remain unbiased about the best products to suit our visitors. We are your ‘one stop shop’ for travel advice and bookings for Queenstown tours, activities and accommodation. As an official i-SITE, we also specialise in travel arrangements for all New Zealand destinations. Better still, our service to you is FREE.

Reviewed By EHeathe - Auckland, New Zealand

Booked majority of our activities here with Sandy. She was amazing and very knowledgable. Sandy wasn't pushy at all. We let her know what we wanted to do and she would find us information about the activity. She was honest and had experienced most of the activities which I thought was a bonus. She booked us on a Helicopter Pilots Choice flight two hours before flying. On the website you would have had to give them 48 hours notice. She managed to put us on Red Discoveries Milford Sound trip where my 15 year old son was able to travel free. I would recommend going here to book your activities, especially with Sandy.

10. Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre

1 Larch Grove, Mt. Cook Village, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) 7999 New Zealand +64 3-435 1186 [email protected] https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/canterbury/places/aoraki-mount-cook-national-park/aoraki-mount-cook-national-park-visitor-centre/
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 684 reviews

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre

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