"South Island" South Island by rozehill

South Island Travel Guide: 6,560 reviews and 14,944 photos

Also Known as THE MAINLAND!

So, here you are on the South Island--the Mainland--home to 900,000 people. (Over 2,700,000 live on the North Island and two-thirds of them north of Taupo, so there will be days when you think you have the huge and spectacular South Island all to yourself.) There's less traffic here, but you'll be traveling greater distances between major towns, and when you arrive at a few places, you may well think you have stepped back in time.
The stunning southern landscape--big, majestic, unforgiving--is dominated by the central spine of the Southern Alps, and anyone who lives here has enormous respect for its grandeur. If you cross over from Wellington on the Cook Strait ferry, your introduction to the south will be at Picton, which sits at the head of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. Nearby is Blenheim, at the heart of Marlborough's famous winemaking province. To the west lies Nelson, the sunniest place in New Zealand and home to more vineyards, fine beaches, and the most accessible concentration of top artists and craftspeople in the country.
The greater Nelson province is geographically made up of five distinct areas, each with its own character: Nelson-Richmond, the urban heart; Motueka, the horticultural heartland; Abel Tasman National Park, a paradise of bush-wrapped beaches and crystal-clear waters; Golden Bay, heaven cast between two great national parks; and St. Arnaud-Murchison, an alpine-lakes area in the heart of Nelson Lakes National Park.

Last visit to South Island: Jul 2002
Intro Updated Apr 16, 2003
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Reviews (12)

Elegant Restaurants (1)

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Luxury Hotels (1)

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Architecture in Christchurch Things to Do (3)

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45 minute walk Sports & Outdoors (1)

The Chasm and Lovers' Leap: The frighteningly steep cliffs are a feature of the peninsula's southern coast. The walk to... more travel advice

Favorites (5)
See All Slope Point

Transportation (1)
Tranz Alpine Express

Comments (14)

gilabrand Oct 18, 2004 at 6:40 AM Report Abuse

What beautiful scenery!
bijo69 Aug 28, 2004 at 5:02 AM Report Abuse

Hmmm...looks like I've missed a lot on my trip! Will definitely be back. Great page!
Waalewiener Jan 12, 2004 at 10:01 PM Report Abuse

Hi Rosie ,it is beautiful there .I wonder why they called it Lover's Leap I wish New zealand was not so far away , we would have been there in a flash ,oh well ,maybe some day.
truus_s Jan 7, 2004 at 12:57 AM Report Abuse

Great page!!My cousin was here in Dec..she tell how beautifull that was..Greetings from Holland..
Janni67 Dec 1, 2003 at 4:18 AM Report Abuse

Brilliant photos again :) Wish to see all this in real one day! ;)
tini58de Aug 13, 2003 at 5:10 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful summary of your part of the world, Rose! I enjoyed my virtual visit very much! I hope, all is well over there!
pepples46 Jun 15, 2003 at 2:17 AM Report Abuse

excellent..beautiful,thanks for the tips and great pics, still a beautiful place to be....still an excellent presentation Rose
Goner Jun 12, 2003 at 10:55 PM Report Abuse

Great page - love your photos!
andal13 Jun 3, 2003 at 6:51 AM Report Abuse

Sea, mountains, wild life... a party to the senses! Enjoyable page.
yellowangelo May 25, 2003 at 12:06 PM Report Abuse

Delightful