About South Island
Explore South Island
Overview
The South Island is comprised of several different terrains, from dry and arid plains to lush forests and glaciers, pristine beaches to fjords, with large mountain ranges in between, allowing for numerous outdoor activities and sports. The Southern Alps Mountain range stretch approximately 300 miles across and remain snowcapped year-round. Skiing can be had with miles of slopes available. Gourmet cuisine, wineries, stargazing, hiking, cycling, and climbing are also popular activities, or simply map out a road trip to take in all the stunning scenery South Island has to offer.
What to Do
- Christchurch: Known for its modern city living, with a strong focus on the arts, boutique galleries, crafts, theaters, green spaces, and a spectacular culinary scene. There are popular sights for the single traveler or the entire family, with outdoor nature-bound activities as an option as well.
- Queenstown: Due to its mountainous and lake-side terrain, Queenstown is bursting with outdoor adventure and sports. Snow play, horseback riding, hiking, cycling, river rafting, canyon swinging, jet boating, and sky diving can all be embraced nearly year-round, with miles of skiing available in the winter months.
- Dunedin: Often referred to as the “wildlife capital of New Zealand,” Dunedin is also considered one of the best-preserved cities of Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Visit Larnach Castle, the Olveston Historic Home, or embark on a tour to view the world’s smallest penguins.
When to Go
The ideal travel season for South Island is within the summer months, December to February. The weather is warm, sunny, great conditions for South Island’s numerous outdoor activities. Winter, with June to August having the heaviest snowfall, is an ideal time for skiing or winter recreation. In South Island’s mountain ranges, snow can often last till spring.
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