Great Destinations

New Zealand South Island (ex Milford Sound) – March 2026

We flew from Honolulu to Auckland and then on to Christchurch to begin our tour of the South Island of New Zealand. We traveled by car and our route first took us due west from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass where we crossed the spectacular Southern Alps, visited the massive Castle Hill Boulders, and climbed to Devil’s Punchbowl Falls. We then started down the west coast from Hokitika Gorge, helicoptered over Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, and passed by many lakes and more waterfalls enroute to Wanaka and then Queenstown. From Te Anau we went north to take a boat trip through Milford Sound with literally thousands more waterfalls, and then boated again across Lake Manapouri and remote Doubtful Sound the next day. We crossed the southern coast of the island through the Catlins region with still more waterfalls and beautiful coastline to reach Dunedin. We failed to see any penguins there, but did see the weird spherical Moeraki Boulders. We moved on to do a little Pinot Noir winetasting in the Otago region (same latitude as Oregon’s Willamette Valley). Unfortunately very little of this nice Pinot leaves NZ. We spent a couple of days hiking and viewing the Mount Cook area with incredible views of the peaks and brilliant turquoise lakes surrounding them. Queenstown was our last stop and we toured it and surrounding lakes. The scenery is staggering for such a small place, and pristine thanks to great care taken by the locals. Well worth a visit, perhaps a repeat someday.

This gallery includes photos from all of our trip except Milford Sound. I created a separate gallery just for that location, which you can find via the menu or clicking here.

A long waterfall system falls down a narrow green cliff with smaller cascades below.
A vertical panorama showing the entirety of Devil’s Punchbowl Falls and cascades below, – Canterbury, NZ
A burned out vehicle sits in a dry roadside landscape beneath the Remarkables mountains.
Looking like an art installation, this is a roadside safety display vividly marking the location of a bad accident – Queenstown, NZ
Tall fluted sandstone walls stand above bushes beneath a deep blue Canterbury sky.
The Clay Cliffs, a weird set of highly eroded sandstone hills south of Mt Cook. Tiny passages are worn in the rock, too small for a claustrophobe like me – Canterbury, NZ
Snow capped ranges frame a broad dry valley at the approach to the high Alps.
Panorama of the entry to the high alps in Mt Cook National Park – Canterbury, NZ
Pale sand and shallow water lead toward a rocky islet beneath a clear coastal sky.
Monkey Island was a great picnic spot sitting alone on a long, very wide beach in far south New Zealand – Fjordland, NZ
Powerful blue water surges over rocky islands at the wild mouth of Doubtful Sound.
Seal colony on a remote set of small islands at the mouth of Doubtful Sound – Fjordland, NZ
A tall mountain waterfall threads down green cliff walls toward the glacier landscape below.
Helicopter view of endless Victoria Falls running down to the Fox glacier – West Coast, NZ
A slender waterfall drops over dark rock walls beside thick forest at the glacier lookout.
Tiny but very tall waterfall trickles down at the Franz Josef glacier lookout – West Coast, NZ
Dense blue white ice ridges show the fractured surface of Franz Josef Glacier from the air.
A closer aerial view shows that the Franz Josef glacier is still very thick even near its terminus – West Coast, NZ
Crevassed glacier ice flows down a dark valley toward rocky slopes and misty cloud.
Aerial view of the Franz Josef glacier terminus which has receded by miles in the last 100 years and is almost at cloud level – West Coast, NZ
Blue white glacier ice fills a narrow valley and fades upward into mist and cloud.
Looking up the Fox Glacier until it disappears in the clouds – West Coast, NZ
Dozens of sheep graze across rolling farmland with trees and distant water beyond.
One of many giant sheep herds seen all over the south island – Catlins, NZ
Blue lake water leads between forested cliffs toward distant rugged Fiordland mountains.
Lake Manapouri, near Te Anau, is huge and must be crossed by boat to reach Doubtful Sound – Fjordland, NZ
A narrow stone path winds uphill through damp moss, ferns, and dense West Coast forest.
The Moraine Walk rainforest trail on the way to Fox Glacier – West Coast, NZ
Rolling pasture, scattered trees, and calm water create a quiet South Island countryside view.
Idyllic and pastoral scene very common to the Catlins area in the southeast part of the South Island – Catlins, NZ
Multiple white cascades tumble over rock steps through lush roadside forest.
Fantail Falls is the third significant waterfall we found heading south along the Haast River – West Coast, NZ
Thick moss blankets fallen branches and forest floor along the Fox Glacier moraine trail.
The Moraine Walk rainforest trail on the way to Fox glacier – West Coast, NZ
Bare willow trunks emerge from shallow turquoise water with mountains beyond.
Famous willow trees in Lake Wakatipu – Glenorchy, NZ
White water fans over layered rock shelves in a lush green Catlins forest.
McLean Falls made a great picnic stop – Catlins, NZ
A pale river edge and broad gravel bed fade into misty rain near the Haast River.
The Haast River at Roaring Billy Falls with its very wide gravel river bed blending with the rain and fog – West Coast, NZ
Bright blue lake water stretches toward snowy Mount Cook National Park mountains.
Turquoise Lake Pukaki, the gateway to the Mt Cook National Park seen in the distance – Canterbury, NZ
A high waterfall splits across dark rock ledges surrounded by dense green vegetation.
Waterfall on Lake Manapouri – Fjordlands, NZ
A calm lake surface reflects forest edges and clouded Southern Alps in the distance.
Lake Matheson is rightfully famous as a calm reflecting pool below theFranz Josef glacier – West Coast, NZ
Layered fjord arms and forested ridges recede into mist from a high mountain pass.
First view of Doubtful Sound from the top of the pass that separates Lake Manapouri from the Sound. Getting here is a journey! – Fjordland, NZ
Low fog drifts through green coastal hills under soft morning light near Dunedin.
Morning fog rolls down the slopes of unfortunately named Sandfly Bay, east of Dunedin – Otago, NZ
A thin white waterfall plunges down a dark forested cliff to the water edge.
Doubtful Sound – Fjordland, NZ
A rugged peak glows through dark swirling clouds above the Fiordland mountain landscape.
A spectacular carved and sunlit peak rises through clouds above Lake Manapouri – Fjordland, NZ
Mineral tinted river water glows blue beside rounded stones and dense forest along the gorge.
The almost neon color of Hokitika Gorge attracts picnickers and swimmers but the water is extremely cold – West Coast, NZ
A pale cascade falls down a shadowed rainforest cliff above calm dark water.
Doubtful Sound – Fjordland, NZ
A broad lake and town sit below dramatic mountain ranges and heavy cloud cover.
The view of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountains from our condo rental high above Queenstown – Queenstown, NZ
Turquoise water cuts through steep rock walls and green slopes near Queenstown.
Gorgeous Shotover River Gorge runs into Queenstown and is home to constant wild jetboat rides – Queenstown, NZ
A forest trail curves through moss covered trunks and fern undergrowth near Fox Glacier.
The Moraine Walk rainforest trail on the way to Fox glacier – West Coast, NZ
Jagged blue white ice ridges fill the frame below a low gray cloud ceiling.
This was our closest view of Franz Josef glacier just below cloud ceiling. We planned to land there, but clouds prevented it – West Coast, NZ
A bright moon glows in a purple evening sky above flowering grasses and distant water.
Moonrise from our hotel room in Hokitika – West Coast, NZ
Large pale blue icebergs float in milky water beside black moraine rocks.
Icebergs calved off of the Tasman Glacier in Mt Cook National Park – Canterbury, NZ
Multiple curtains of water spread over broad mossy ledges beneath dense forest.
McLean Falls – Catlins, NZ
Dark pines stand against golden grassland with snow dusted mountains under storm clouds.
Beautiful grove on Lake Pukaki with Southern Alps in the distance – Canterbury, NZ
Rough serrated ice ridges spread across the glacier surface below cold blue mountain light.
Our closest aerial view of Fox glacier showing its jagged and broken surface, treacherous to walk on – West Coast, NZ
Early sunlight catches snow covered summits above the dark village and forested valley.
The sun begins to light up the snow-covered mountain tops above Franz Josef at dawn – West Coast, NZ
Snowy peaks appear beyond rolling green rainforest under dramatic layered clouds.
Mt Cook is framed by clouds in a view from the top of a coastal rainforest trail many miles away – West Coast, NZ
A tall white waterfall drops through dark forest to boulders near the Haast River.
Beautiful and narrow Thunder Creek falls flowing into Haast River near Wanaka – Otago, NZ
A high white waterfall drops between dark rock walls surrounded by dense green mountain forest.
Devil’s Punchbowl, a 400ft waterfall is the prize at the top of a steep uphill trail – Canterbury, NZ
Steep green cliffs and distant mountains surround calm blue water in Fiordland.
Doubtful Sound – Fjordland, NZ
Turquoise lake water curves around a brushy shore with blue mountains beneath heavy clouds.
Lake Tekapo, near Mt Cook – Canterbury, NZ
White water rushes over boulders through green forest toward the fjord shoreline.
Cascade pouring into Doubtful Sound – Fjordland, NZ
A gravel farm road leads through green pasture toward broad snow covered mountains under low clouds.
Majestic mountains of the Southern Alps rise dramatically west of Christchurch – Canterbury, NZ
A single luminous fern spreads its patterned fronds against a shadowed West Coast forest background.
A perfect fern in a rainforest – West Coast, NZ
Aerial perspective shows pale gravel, water channels, and pasture along the old glacier bed.
Aerial vier of Franz Josef gravel and stone-filled glacial moraine, several miles below the current edge of the glacier – West Coast, NZ
Ocean swell crashes along rocky shoreline and forested headlands south of the fjord entrance.
Mouth of Doubtful Sound, looking south along the island’s west coast – West Coast, NZ
A white waterfall drops through dense green forest toward dark fjord water.
Helena Falls, at the very upper end of Doubtful Sound can only be seen after a long journey by boat and bus – Fjordland, NZ
A vivid blue glacial lake stretches below golden grasses and distant mountain ranges.
Lake Tekapo is another lake renowned for its turquoise color, caused by glacial rock flour (essentially sand) suspended in the water – Canterbury, NZ
A wide pale basin leads toward a long wall of snow capped alpine peaks.
This moonlike expanse lies between Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki and shows the whole Mt Cook mountain range in the distance – Canterbury, NZ
Layered mountains rise beyond blue lake water at the northern end near Queenstown.
North end of Lake Wakatipu with Mt Aspiring National Park in the distance – Queenstown, NZ
Pink and orange sky glows above dark mountain silhouettes and low mist over the lake.
Sunset on Lake Te Anau, seen from our lakeside home rental – Fjordland, NZ
A gravel path leads through dense wet forest and ferns toward the Haast River.
Rainforest trail to Roaring Billy Falls on the Haast River. The trail was better than the falls! – West Coast, NZ
A helicopter view looks down a rugged valley carved by ice beneath dramatic mountain light.
Helicopter view of a deep glacial valley in Franz Josef – West Coast, NZ
Close mountain slopes reveal hanging snowfields, rock faces, and bright alpine light.
Closeup of the near vertical snowfields near Mt Cook – Canterbury, NZ
A pale glacier tongue snakes down a steep valley with waterfalls and cloud shadows nearby.
Fox glacier aerial view just below the cloud ceiling – West Coast, NZ
Rugged brown and gray mountain slopes climb sharply from the lake basin.
Mountains rising on the east side of Lake Pukaki – Canterbury, NZ
Steep gray cliffs and bright snowfields dominate a clear alpine view in the national park.
Glaciers and snowfields at Mt Cook National Park on an unexpectedly perfect clear day – Canterbury, NZ
Rounded gray stones fill a broad glacial riverbed with snowy peaks beyond the forested valley.
Almost every river bed that we saw is filled with gravel and smooth stones like this one near Franz Josef – West Coast, NZ
Rounded coastal stones rest on dark wet sand beneath patterned clouds and ocean surf.
The Moeraki Boulders are perfectly round 60 million year old large stones on the beach north of Dunedin – Otago, NZ
Massive gray limestone formations rise from grassy hills beneath a bright blue Canterbury sky.
Incredible building-sized castle hill boulders are limestone thrust up from an ancient seabed – Canterbury, NZ
A damp track bends through arching trees and deep green foliage near Roaring Billy Falls.
Rainforest trail to Roaring Billy Falls on the Haast River – West Coast, NZ
A vivid mountain lake extends into the distance with forested shores and cloud-dappled sky above.
Mgnificent Waterton Lake from the majestic Prince of Wales Hotel – Alberta, Canada
A compact waterfall flows through dark green forest beneath arching fern fronds.
Lower McLean Falls Cascade Along the Rainforest Trail – Catlins, NZ
White surf breaks against dark rocks near the exposed mouth of the fjord.
Rocks protecting the mouth of Doubtful Sound were one of the reasons Capt. Cook would not enter and named it Doubtful – Fjordland, NZ
Steep gray cliffs and passing cloud reveal the rugged terrain below Franz Josef Glacier.
Glacier carved slopes below Franz Josef glacier – West Coast, NZ
A spherical stone sits on wet beach sand while blurred waves rush around it.
Moeraki Boulder in the surf – Otago, NZ
Green mountain walls rise steeply from the fjord with scattered waterfalls and moody clouds.
Doubtful Sound – Fjordland, NZ
A broad gray moraine stretches into a steep green valley beneath heavy mountain clouds.
Franz Josef glacier from the closest lookout, with a vast gravel moraine in the foreground – West Coast, NZ
A calm pond mirrors trees and clouded mountains near the former foot of Franz Josef Glacier.
Peter’s Pond is a tiny reflecting pond created a hundred years ago when it sat at the base of the now-receded Franz Josef glacier – West Coast, NZ
A distant glacier appears between steep shadowed mountains under a stormy sky.
Viewed from the roadside a few miles away, the immense scale of the Fox Glacier becomes apparent – West Coast, NZ
A tall white waterfall descends a green cliff into shadowed Fiordland forest.
Waterfall on Lake Manapouri – Fjordlands, NZ
Snow streaked mountain ridges and rocky valleys fill the view from a high Arthur Pass overlook.
Southern Alps from the top of Arthur’s Pass – Canterbury, NZ
Clear water runs between moss covered stones and tangled branches below the falls trail.
Jungle-like forest and moss-covered rocks below McLean Falls – Catlins, NZ
A narrow waterfall falls into a shaded pool surrounded by wet green rainforest.
Matai Falls is pretty well hidden in its own rainforest – Catlins, NZ
Lake water frames a small town with forested slopes and jagged mountains beyond.
A postcard perfect view of Manapouri town from our tour boat with the Takitimu mountains beyond – Fjordland, NZ
A white lighthouse stands on a narrow green ridge above deep blue ocean.
Nugget Point Lighthouse on the southeast coast – Catlins, NZ
A quiet dark pond mirrors fern trees and thick forest near Lake Matheson.
A tiny, incredibly lush reflecting pond adjacent to Lake Matheson at Franz Josef – Fjordland, NZ
The fjord opens between high green ridges beneath bright clouds and blue sky.
Doubtful Sound – Fjordland, NZ
Bright blue glacial water winds through a rocky gorge lined with lush West Coast forest.
The amazing glacially fed and mineral-tinted turquoise color of Hokitika Gorge – West Coast, NZ
A sharp snow capped peak rises beyond open scrubland and distant blue mountain ridges.
Mt Cook, at left, anchors the Southern Alps – Canterbury, NZ
A small forested island sits in dark water below towering glacier carved rock walls.
Glacier carved cliffs and waterway seen from Doubtful Sound tour boat – Fjordland, NZ
A bright rainbow arcs across dark alpine slopes after rain in the national park.
Rainbow signals a pause in relentless rain in Mt Cook National Park – Canterbury, NZ