It’s been over 15 years since I traveled New Zealand’s South Island — back when I was attending language school in Dunedin. Flipping through old photos and handwritten notes, I’ve been slowly piecing those memories back together into this South Island travel series.
This page is an index for the full collection. If you’re short on time, I’d suggest starting with Milford Sound and Dunedin.
The Route (Rough Overview)
Here’s the order I’ve covered the journey:
Dunedin → Invercargill & Bluff → Christchurch → Milford Sound (+ Te Anau) → Queenstown
Since Dunedin was my base, this route reflects that starting point. If you’re departing from Christchurch, you might consider flipping the order and heading to Dunedin first. I’ll put together a recommended itinerary guide at some point — watch this space.
City-by-City Breakdown
Dunedin | Where the Journey Begins
Dunedin is both the starting point of this trip and the city I once called home during my language school days. Built by Scottish settlers and twinned with Edinburgh, it carries a quietly European character that sets it apart from anywhere else in New Zealand. Compact, surrounded by nature, and full of understated charm — it remains one of my favorite cities in the world.
▶ Read: Dunedin Travel Journal | Revisiting My Old Home After 15 Years: The Octagon and Its Architecture https://live-travel-log.com/dunedin-walk-highlights/
Invercargill & Bluff | The Edge of the World
I went into this two-night trip with a clear mission: eat a Bluff oyster, and stand at Stirling Point. Whether those goals were achieved — and what unexpected detours got in the way — is all part of the story. It’s a trip full of what I can only describe as very New Zealand-style loose chaos, and I wouldn’t trade it.
▶ Read: To the Southernmost Point: Dunedin → Invercargill → Bluff https://live-travel-log.com/dunedin-invercargill-bluff-oyster-stirlingpoint-trip/
Christchurch | Walking a City That Would Soon Change Forever
Heading north from Dunedin via Oamaru and Timaru, this one-night stop in Christchurch now carries a weight I didn’t anticipate at the time. Looking back, knowing that the 2011 earthquake was just around the corner, I’m grateful to have seen the city as it was — quiet streets, intact cathedral, a city still whole. The calm of that walk, and a peaceful afternoon at Willowbank, have stayed with me.
▶ Read: One Night from Dunedin to Christchurch — A Quiet Journey North https://live-travel-log.com/christchurch-willowbank-journey/
Milford Sound | When the Drive Is Half the Destination
If there’s one place on the South Island that delivers on every promise, it’s Milford Sound. Mirror Lake, Fiordland National Park, the Milford Sound cruise, and a night in Te Anau — I did it all in a day and a half, mostly not knowing what I was about to see. I only discovered afterward that this was a UNESCO World Heritage site. In hindsight, the whole thing feels almost unfairly spectacular.
▶ Read: Fiordland in 1.5 Days — A Journey to Milford Sound https://live-travel-log.com/milford-sound-bus-trip/
Queenstown | Short Stay, Maximum Impact
The South Island finale. I still remember the moment the bus crested the hill and Lake Wakatipu appeared — that shade of blue, those mountains, that air. Day one on the slopes at The Remarkables; day two at Skyline for the panoramic views and a gentle hike. Two nights felt both too short and completely satisfying.
▶ Read: Queenstown in 2 Nights — Skiing, Views, and Everything in Between https://live-travel-log.com/queenstown-active-trip/
Find Your Starting Point by Theme
- Lose yourself in raw nature → Milford Sound
- Stand at the bottom of the world → Invercargill & Bluff
- Explore South Island city life → Christchurch / Dunedin
- Classic South Island resort experience → Queenstown
Why Write About a 15-Year-Old Trip Now?
At the time, I was too busy being overwhelmed to really process what I was seeing. Looking back now, I find I can finally put words to what made those places feel so special. The cities may have changed, but New Zealand’s landscapes haven’t. If any of this inspires you to plan your own South Island journey, that’s exactly what I was hoping for.
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