Christchurch
Christchurch city promises an eclectic mix of historic elegance and contemporary culture. As the gateway to the South Island, it's a must on any itinerary. Described by Lonely Planet as a "vibrant city in transition, coping resiliently and creatively, Christchurch's energy is evident wherever you go. The city has bounced back after the Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 with innovative new attractions, as well as some old favourites. Visit the Re Start container mall, the transitional Cardboard Cathedral, and some of the many pop up restaurants and bars. Contemporary art galleries, boutique shops and open-air markets add to Christchurch's creative vibe. Traditionally known as the Garden City, Christchurch's award winning Botanic Gardens are over 150 years old and boast an enviable collection of exotic and native plants.

Nelson
Nelson is a lifestyle; that's the best way to describe it. Situated at the top north-west of the South Island, it is the sunniest region in New Zealand. Nelson's diverse geography captures everything from the long golden beaches to untouched forests and rugged mountains. Walk the sun drenched sands of Golden Bay or head inland to Takaka and see the impossibly clear waters of New Zealand's largest freshwater springs. Walk Nelson's Abel Tasman track it's a three to five day walk or, for a different view, take a sea kayaking tour around the coast and see a seal colony and little blue penguins bobbing in the water. Or just relax. Sit in the sun, sip a wine from one of the local vineyards, and dine on the famous Nelson Bay scallops.

Franz Josef
The hospitable town of Franz Josef serves the glacier of the same name. Stay here while you explore this spectacular World Heritage Area. Franz Josef Glacier was first explored in 1865 by geologist Julius von Haast, who named it after the Austrian emperor. The glacier is five kilometres from the town of the same name, and a 20 minute walk will take you to its terminal face. From the glacier car park, you can hike to a choice of lookout points for a bigger view of this awesome river of ice. If you want to actually make contact with the glacier, take a guided ice walk or a heli-hike. Aerial sightseeing is another option. There's a range of natural attractions in close proximity to Franz Josef Glacier Village. Lose yourself in the rainforests, waterfalls, and lakes.

Te Anau
Te Anau is the perfect town to base yourself from to visit Milford Sound. Nestled on the edge of a lake, there are many options for accommodation. The picturesque township of Te Anau is the main visitor base for the glacier-carved wilderness that is Fiordland National Park. Home to a wide range of accommodation including lodges, hotels and campgrounds, Te Anau is the perfect place to stay when visiting Milford Sound. Restaurants are plentiful and give visitors the opportunity to sample delicious local fare like venison, lobster and seafood. At the Department of Conservation Visitor Centre you can make plans to walk the Milford, Routeburn or Kepler Tracks. Apart from hiking, popular local activities include scenic flights, lake cruising, fishing, kayaking and exploring the Te Ana-au Glowworm caves. There's also a bird sanctuary that specialises in native birds.

Queenstown
Queenstown is one of New Zealand's top visitor destinations and if you come to the region you'll understand why. Queenstown sits on the shore of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu among dramatic alpine ranges; it's rumoured that gold prospectors - captivated by the majestic beauty of the surrounding mountains and rivers - gave this now cosmopolitan town its name. With a smorgasbord of outdoor activities, Queenstown is the home of the ultimate adventure bucket list. There's skiing in the winter and activities such as bungy jumping, sky diving, canyon swinging, jet boating, horse trekking and river rafting all year round. It has also become a renowned cycling destination, providing everything from easy scenic tracks to backcountry trails, road rides to heli-biking and the Southern Hemisphere's only gondola accessed downhill mountain biking.