Nicknamed “the mainland,” New Zealand’s South Island is the country’s largest island by size but far smaller than the North Island by population. You can arrive by boat to Picton or fly into Christchurch. Towns are few and far between here, but there are a whole lot of geographic marvels squished between: the Southern Alps, lowland glaciers, fjords and sounds, primeval rainforests, dazzling lakes, golden beaches, cliffs, coastlines, and much more. There are seemingly endless things to do in the South Island.
The South Island is a year-round destination, with warm, dry summers and cold winters with snow in certain places. Summer (December–February) is a good time to come for beaches, hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking. The Christmas, New Year, and school holiday period in January can be busy. The ski resorts in the Southern Alps typically operate from June through September.
Public transport is limited in the South Island and can only be relied upon within the cities and to link several major cities. A few scenic long-distance train routes traverse the east coast side and connect Christchurch with the West Coast region. Most travelers find it easier to rent a car to travel around the South Island, especially as many attractions are in rural areas.
Despite being home to New Zealand’s second-largest city, Christchurch, the South Island is predominantly rural and sparsely inhabited. Major roads tend to circle the perimeter of the island as the mountain chain in the middle, the Southern Alps, makes it challenging to get from west to east. Plan any road trips through the South Island carefully to avoid backtracking, as some places that look close on the map can take days to travel between.
Local Currency New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) | Time Zone NZST (UTC +12) | Country Code +64 | Language(s) English | Attractions 107 | Tours 948 | Reviews 67,916 |
The South Island of New Zealand is known for its Southern Alps mountains, numerous national parks (including popular Fiordland and Abel Tasman), Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, the cities of Christchurch and Dunedin, and more. It’s also known as the filming location of scenes from The Lord of the Rings.
...MoreDon’t miss visiting one or more of the South Island’s national parks. These run the length of the island, from Abel Tasman in the north to Fiordland in the south. Whether you want to hike or take a sightseeing cruise, the South Island’s national parks offer something for every interest.
...MoreVisitors to the South Island can go hiking, kayaking, jet boating, white-water rafting, canyoning, mountain biking, parasailing, skiing, bungee jumping, skydiving, and more. Queenstown is known as New Zealand’s adventure capital and is a convenient one-stop adventure destination, but many activities can be tried elsewhere on the South Island.
...MoreYou could see several of the South Island’s highlights in seven days, but a more leisurely 10–14 days is preferable. The Southern Alps run through the length of the South Island, meaning roads across the island are limited and often slow. Getting around may take longer than you anticipate.
...MoreThe five main cities on the South Island are Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson, Invercargill, and Blenheim. Queenstown is also famous, but it’s small and not really a city. The South Island contains around 25 percent of New Zealand’s total population, so the South Island cities and towns are generally small.
...MoreSpring, summer, and fall are the best times to visit the South Island for most outdoor and sightseeing activities, while winter is the best time to ski. There are good reasons to visit at any time of year, depending on your preferred sights and activities.
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