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From turquoise lakes and lush peninsulas to snowcapped mountains and sparkling glaciers, the South Island’s majestic landscapes offer awe and adventure in equal measure.

Tantalise Your Tastebuds

Epicurious travellers will delight in the South Island’s smorgasbord of seasonal produce, from luscious berries, stone fruit, asparagus and root vegetables, to local seafood, lamb, beef and a plethora of artisanal dairy delights. Roadside kiosks sell everything from farm eggs to grandma’s tomato relish, while world-class regional restaurants skim the cream of local crops for innovative tasting menus. Add some of the world’s best cool-climate wines, from Central Otago’s superb pinot noir to Marlborough’s renowned sauvignon blanc, as well as some of the most exciting craft breweries in the country, and you have a recipe for a foodies’ paradise.

Wandering Wild

With just over a million people scattered across 151,215 sq km, you’ll have no trouble finding your own slice of wilderness on New Zealand’s ‘mainland’. The only problem will be choosing between the sublime forests, mountains, lakes, beaches and fiords that make this island one of the best outdoor destinations on the planet. Lace up your boots and tackle one of the South Island’s six Great Walks, or choose from countless other options ranging from short nature strolls to multiday, backcountry epics. The Department of Conservation’s track and hut network makes it easy to find a way in.

Landscape and Climate

You might think that the North Island and South Island are identical in terms of landscape and climate, but things aren’t quite that simple. While both islands have a significant amount of coastline, farmland, and high terrain, the North and South Island are not identical. However, both islands are breathtaking – which if you know anything about New Zealand, shouldn’t come as a surprise.

In terms of landscape, the North Island is known for its gorgeous coastline and geothermal hotspots. You’ll find incredible beaches in Northland, the Bay of Islands, and around the Coromandel Peninsula, while the central region of the island around Rotorua is known for the hot springs and bubbling mud pools that come with intense geothermal activity. In the island’s south, you’ll find volcanoes around Tongariro National Park. While both islands have beaches, the North Island has more of the traditional white-sand beaches that are perfect for swimming.