New Zealand – South Island

Often referred to as the ‘Mainland’ the South Island of New Zealand is slightly larger than the North even though it has a lower populus. Also known as Te Wai Pounamu in Maori, the Island is home to Christchurch, Dunedin Queenstown and Milford Sound.

The South Island is also famous for its amazing ski mountains and ski season. The Otago region is home to the greatest mountains of the country including Treble Cone, Coronet Peak and the Remarkables. At the foot of the mountains are the homely and cosy towns Queenstown and Wanaka. Queenstown is an international resort town built around the beautiful Lake Wakatipu with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Known for its commerce oriented tourism, it’s popular for adventure and ski tourism. Wanaka is also a very popular resort town and offers adventure and attractions in both winter and summer.

The South Island also houses one of the worlds top travel destinations; Milford Sound. Milford is a long inlet with surrounding mountains creating a valley and breathtaking landscapes. Tourists and locals have the opportunity to go on cruises, boat rides, go canoeing, go snorkelling in parts and participate in other water sports.  With over half a million visitors a year, the supernatural and extraordinary scenery is definitely New Zealand’s most popular tourist location.

Dunedin is the historical town just under Christchurch which offers wild and charming encounters for anyone who visits but is just a small piece of the Island compared to the huge culture and impact of Christchurch. Filled with rivers, mountains and lakes, Christchurch and the surrounding are of Canterbury will captivate and mesmerize you. With hundreds of attractions for just about anyone from families, to tourists, to locals there’s something new for everyone, everyday.

Just like the North Island, rugby is the more popular sport for locals with the Crusaders competing in the Super 14 and the Canterbury Rugby team representing New Zealand. The Island has also been host to the Commonwealth Games, Netball World Championship, and Women’s Cricket World Cup over the decades.

With so much to offer at the bottom of the world, the South Island of New Zealand can amaze and astound you with how much it can offer anyone as a tourist or a local. With a huge agricultural economy supporting its growth in tourism it houses great attractions and activities from the young to the old, the locals to the backpackers.