DIRECTORY
South Island
The South Island of New Zealand has all the variety you could imagine and much more. Renowned for natural beauty, the South Island is an untamed paradise dominated by a rugged and unspoilt landscape.
Quite simply, you've never seen anything like this. Visitors to this incredible region discover a place where the most indulgent fantasies of an unspoilt world become an everyday reality. From the north, where forest extends down to the sandy shores of picturesque bays, to the south, brimming with abundant produce like tasty Bluff Oysters, the South Island offers countless opportunities to go where nature still rules.
There's no need to forgo the comforts of civilisation though, unless you want to, because South Islanders like to balance the wilderness of their surroundings with the best of fine food, wine and accommodation. This is the perfect place to enjoy the pleasure of a luxurious private lodge in a pristine and isolated setting. Whatever your budget, there are a multitude of accommodation options in the towns and resorts scattered against the South Island's wild backdrop. You'll have no problem getting around the region is serviced by coaches, the uncrowded open roads are a delight to drive and there are scenic rail journeys to add to the variety.
Outdoor adventure aficionados will find themselves well served in the South Island. Canterbury, the hub of the South Island, illustrates the variety of activities available. Within two hours of Christchurch International Airport you can ski at a world class alpine resort, play golf, bungy jump, go rafting, mountain biking, wind surfing, whale watching or visit world class wineries and gardens.
Every part of the island has its own angle on outdoor adventure and you can play against the backdrop of ten national parks - Arthur's Pass, Mount Cook, Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes, Kahurangi, Paparoa, Westland, Fiordland, Mount Aspiring and Rakiura - each with its own particular flavour. At the north of the island, in Marlborough and the Abel Tasman region, the taste is maritime. Sheltered, sandy coves offer safe swimming and invite exploration by sea kayak, while the forest nudging the beachfront is ideal for a scenic day walk or longer hike. In the northeast of the island, a sunny, mild climate makes Blenheim the centre of a renowned wine-producing region, while the coastal town of Kaikoura is the base for whale-watching and other seagoing adventures.
Canterbury, with its wide-open tussock lands and broad rivers, is unlike any other region in New Zealand. Here you'll find Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island, where fantastic cafes, restaurants and nightlife intertwine with historic atmosphere. Further south the plains give way to hills and mountains. In the centre of the island, the picture-postcard Aoraki Mount Cook and Mackenzie region is dominated by majestic mountain scenery studded by astonishing turquoise and blue lakes. In Otago, enjoy the lakeside resorts of Queenstown and Wanaka where you can dine in a world-class restaurant with a panorama of lake and mountains spread out before you. In winter, the mountains of the Otago region, along with the range that runs in a ridge down the centre of the South Island, the Southern Alps offer fantastic skiing and snowboarding opportunities.
Dunedin, the other major city of the South Island, is set on a stunning harbour where wildlife lives side-by-side with human residents. This is a city with strong roots in the past: stately historic buildings, including New Zealand's only castle, are a must-see and the Scottish heritage of the city can still be felt today. Dunedin is also gateway to the wild and beautiful Catlins region of windswept beaches, magnificent forests and waterfalls. Further on, at the southernmost tip of the mainland, you'll find Bluff, a windswept town that forms the jumping-off point to the smallest of New Zealand's three major islands. A visit to Stewart Island is a rewarding experience and an opportunity to see an abundance of native birdlife. Back on the South Island, to truly experience the untamed beauty of nature, your travels must include a visit to the West Coast of the South Island. From pretty Karamea in the north through to Fiordland in the deepest of South Westland, in this extraordinary region you'll find an abundance of rainforests and scenery that will convince you there are places where nature's awesome power still holds sway. [read more]