SOUTH ISLAND...Mother Nature at its best!

If you are seeking amazing wildlife with spectacular and varied scenery, snow-topped mountains, glaciers and fiords, South Island is for you. With masses of hiking trails and a range of outdoor activities, the island is perfect for adventurers and outdoor sport enthusiasts.

• A Breath-taking wilderness
• Glaciers, Mountains & Fiords
• Whale-watching
• Outdoor Sports

The stunning Southern Alps were the ‘Misty Mountains’ in Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, so why not see this breath-taking wilderness first-hand?

This unspoiled, sparsely populated island is the larger of NZ’s two islands and home to about a quarter of the population. So, for birdlife and whale spotters out there, wine lovers and those seeking pioneering history and Maori culture, South Island is for you...

Start your South Island Holiday.  Hire a motorhome or join an escorted tour. There are so many New Zealand holiday options available.

WHY VISIT NEW ZEALAND?

1. Spectacular Scenery and Wilderness

Words alone cannot do justice to the amazing and diverse scenery. Mount Cook standing proud at 3724m is the highest peak in the Southern Alps which form the backbone to South Island.  Snow topped peaks all year round with long glaciers and permanent snow fields, this region is a perfect star gazing spot. T

The west of the island has forests and rain while the east is more arid.  Fiordland is a UNESCO World Heritage site which can be hiked or explored by boat or air with lakes, gorges, rivers, glacial valleys and beech forest.

2. Hiking and Adventure Sports

Hiking is the best way to explore NZ’s natural beauty with masses of trails for all levels of ability.  The beaches and bays on the Abel Tasman coastal track are popular for hikers (and to sail or sea kayak around). For alpine scenery head to the Routeburn track around Mt Aspiring and Fiordland. 

Milford Sound is a fantastic fiord to kayak around. For something unique, cycle the Otago Rail trail. Lakeside Queenstown offers a range of adventurous sports from river rafting to mountain biking. Christchurch has surfing beaches.

3. Wildlife

Kaikoura is one of the best places in the world for seeing wildlife in its natural habitat: whale watching, dolphins, NZ fur seals, sea lions and a wide variety of birds including penguins and albatross.

The Otago Peninsula is also famous for its penguins, albatross and seals. Take the short journey to STEWART ISLAND which has a large and diverse bird population: kiwi, albatross, kaka, weke, penguins...

4. History and Maori Culture

Although there is only one castle in NZ, Lanarch in Dunedin, and earthquakes have damaged a lot of Christchurch’s architecture, there are still some key historical sites here. The West Coast’s ghost town Waiuta in Reefton was once a thriving gold town while Shantytown is a recreated 1860’s gold mining town.  The Otago Museum in Dunedin has Maori exhibits including a war canoe. Maori rock paintings are in Takiroa and Maerewhenua archaeological sites.

5. Wine!

Although NZ has some of the youngest wine industries in the world, its cooler climate produces some outstanding wines. Marlborough is famous for sauvignon blanc and central Otago for Riesling and pinot noir. How about a wine tasting tour?

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