10 Free Things to Do on New Zealand’s South Island

The Marlborough Wine Trail

If you've ever had a delicious New Zealand wine, there's a good chance it hailed from the Marlborough region, which produces about 70% of the country's wine exports. Although the area is most famous for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc, you'll find standout examples of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Merlot, and sparkling varietals here as well. The best part? Before you shell out money for a glass or a bottle at a restaurant, you can sample to your heart's (but maybe not liver's) content—for free!

Many of the vineyards on the Marlborough Wine Trail offer free tastings to visitors. Make sure you designate a driver before you start, as the samples are not stingy, and you don't want to combine alcohol with driving on the left side of the road. A bike is another great way to get between vineyards, as there are plenty of designated bike trails that wind through the vines and offer beautiful views as well as a respite from car traffic.

Our favorite free tasting stops: Wairau River Wines, which is the best place to line your stomach with lunch before you begin, enjoyed outside while overlooking the vines; and No. 1 Family Estate where they only do sparkling wines (but since the house was launched by a French champagne-making family, they do it very well). This guide has a great round-up of all the vineyards and their operating hours.

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Glow Worms

Glow worms are magical and romantic looking, as long as you don't Google what makes them light up at night. (It involves maggots and waste products, so just trust us on this one.) They are one of nature's coolest sights, and definitely a nighttime must-do if you're in New Zealand. You can find a Glow Worm grotto, an area where a bunch of glowworms hang out, along the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. The well-marked grotto (look for a giant sunflower sign) is found near Peppers Awaroa Lodge, but you don't have to be a guest to go and enjoy the lightshow and there are plenty of places to camp nearby. Staying overnight is essential, as the glowworms are only really visible at night, well after dark.

Queen Charlotte Drive

Want to feel like you're in a real life car commercial? Point your vehicle to the Queen Charlotte Drive, one of the world's most beautiful (and winding) roads. (Here's a good video to watch to get a sense of just how twisty the route is.) The approximately 25-mile road runs between Havelock and Picton and offers scenic lookout points after seemingly every turn, showcasing stunning views of the Marlborough Sounds.

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Hiking and Walking

New Zealand's scenery just begs to be explored by foot, whether you're doing one of the epic multi-day treks or just a day "tramp", which is Kiwi for a walk or hike. Pretty much all the trails you'll encounter here are incredibly well-maintained and free to hop on (and to park at). Some great walks can be found right in the heart of a city. The Centre of New Zealand Walk, for example, begins in Nelson's lush Botanical Reserve and winds its way up a gentle incline until you reach the top, where you'll be rewarded with sweeping views of the city.

For something a bit more rugged, venture down to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and tackle the surprisingly gentle and flat Hooker Valley Track, which traces the base of the mountain and ends at a surreal glacier lake. To add to the excitement, you'll get to traverse three swing bridges, which offer even better views.

Want to break up your hiking with swimming and sunbathing? Then you'll love the Abel Tasman Coast Track, which wanders along pristine golden beaches and crystal clear water.

Go Seal Watching

No need to board a boat to see seals in their natural environment, as you can often find them lounging and playing on the shores in Kaikoura. (Even if you don't find any friendly seals, the Pacific coastline views are worth the visit.) If you're there during seal pup season, make sure you stop by the Ohau Stream, which is a short walk off of the main State Highway 1. In the winter months, you might just find some young seals splashing around in the waterfall pools! With or without the seal pups, the waterfall makes for a great photo opp.

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Museums

Whether you want to check out the New Zealand art scene, explore the country's storied history, or simply get out of the rain, there are plenty of museums that you can enjoy totally free of charge. In Nelson, the outdoor Quay Art Walk showcases both sculptures and scenic harbor views. For something more historical, check out Christchurch's Air Force Museum, located on the site of a former Air Force base.

If you're in Christchurch, definitely make time to visit the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puno o Waihetu, which reopened in 2014 after extensive repairs and earthquake-proofing following the 2011 earthquake. It's free every day, and offers an ever-evolving selection of exhibitions. The exterior alone is worth some time, as the beautiful architecture is a great reflection of the city, particularly at night when the neon lights of Martin Creed's "Everything Is Going to Be Alright" exhibit shine the brightest.

Stargazing

If you're a city-dweller, prepare to have your mind blown by New Zealand's night skies, especially if you're visiting Lake Tekapo. The area was recently named as one of the best spots in the entire world for stargazing, thanks to the lack of light pollution. The absence of light is no accident—the area is home to the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve. The Dark Sky Reserve houses the internationally renowned Mt. John University Observatory, and in order to preserve the clear skies the entire town of Lake Tekapo works to prevent light pollution, including using special shields to point light downwards and restricting light usage.

We found that many places in New Zealand were great for seeing stars, thanks to the relatively low pollution and distance from urban lights. Abel Tasman, for example, is another awesome spot if you want to see constellations that are unique to this part of the world, such as the Southern Cross.

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Cycling

Ok, if you didn't BYOB (bring your own bike) you may have to spend a little to get some two-wheeled transportation, but you may be able to borrow one for free from your hotel, or you can explore these trails by foot, just at a slower pace than via cycle. New Zealand has tons of fantastic free bike trails that are a great way to explore the country. The Alps 2 Ocean Trail is one of the most spectacular examples, and you can do all nine sections in about 4-6 days while camping along the way. (Or, if you're not that hardcore, you can simply do one or two sections in a day.) As the name implies, this easy to intermediate grade trail journeys from the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean, going alongside mountains, lakes, rivers, and canals. The Jollie Biker can create a customized itinerary for you to tackle the trail, or pick you up at the end of a day tour so you don't have to re-cycle the same parts.

For a different type of scenery, check out Tasman's Great Taste Trail, which is approximately 100 miles if you do the entire loop. It passes through Nelson, Rabbit Island, Mapua, Woodstock, and other beautiful areas, and you can do all or just part of it. The best part of this path is all of the great food and wine stops you can make along the way to refuel! Rent a bike from Wheelie Fantastic Cycle Tours, which is run by passionate local cyclists who can help you map out your perfect day (or multi-day) adventure.

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

An explosion of color and lush greenery awaits you right in the heart of the busy city at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Depending on the time of year, you'll find everything from roses to orchids in full bloom (consult this handy guide to see what to expect in each season).

The gentle Avon River flows through the Botanic Gardens, and its banks are a great spot for a lunch time picnic, where you can watch the playful ducks, friendly birds, and the punting tours (flat bottomed boats similar to Venetian Gondolas) glide by.

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Caroline Morse recently traveled to New Zealand courtesy of Tourism New Zealand . Catch up on all her South Island photos and videos on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline and on Twitter @CarolineMorse1.

Swim in Lake Tekapo

The turquoise water of Lake Tekapo is so intense that it looks like it's Photoshopped, even in real life. In reality, the unbelievable hue comes from the fine rocks that have been ground by glaciers and suspended in the water, and you can totally immerse yourself in it. There are no private beaches here (it's all public land), so find yourself a nice spot of sandy shore line and dive in! Depending on the time of year and your personal hardiness, you may find the water temperature anything from bracing to bearable.