"New Zealand's South Island." South Island by kiwi

South Island Travel Guide: 5,969 reviews and 15,835 photos

Mount Cook and surrounds. - South Island

The Land of the Long White Cloud.

Welcome to the South Island. I was born down here, although I haven't grown up here. But something, only a South Islander can know, something draws me back time and again. I just love this part of Paradise!!

It's rather amusing to find some of the names down in the South Island. Capt James Cook, one of the early mappers of this country, seemed to delight in naming places after the event. For example we have Doubtful Sound - he declared he wouldn't sail his sailing ship in this harbour as it was 'doubtful' he would be able to sail out again. And we have Cape Foulwind and Cape Farewell, where he sailed away from. His other tendency was to use the names of the men on his ship, eg Banks Peninsular, Pickersgill Harbour and many others.

WORLD HERITAGE status.

Looking into Mt Aspiring national park.

The South Island is almost like a different world to the North Island. More mountains, wilder weather, more snow, bigger expanses, higher mountains, less people. Ah, so very different. Some say it's more beautiful, but that is in the eyes of the beholder. Not everyone is into mountains.
The area known as Te Wahipounamu (South Westland) has been granted WORLD HERITAGE status, which is very honourable, and means it is to be protected for coming generations.
You can read more about how this works here.

Adventure Sports.

Bungy Jumping

In recent years the South Island has become reknown amongst young travellers for it's adventure sports. Probably the most prominent and well advertised of these is the sport of Bungy Jumping. I have done this once in my life, here in the photo.
Other sports include Jet Boating, Trekking, Horse Riding, Fly by wire, Skiing, Skydiving, Paragliding and so on. Plenty for you to do in the South Island of New Zealand.

Pros and Cons

Pros:The mountain scenery, the remoteness.
Cons:It can be cold, and you can be a long way from facilities.
In a nutshell:You haven't seen New Zealand unless you visit the South.

Intro Updated Sep 9, 2005
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Reviews (9)

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New Zealand Southern Alps - South Island

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Transportation (1)
Interislander Ferry.

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Comments (11)

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thedouglas Dec 15, 2006 at 11:35 AM

Looks spectacular - great place to visit if you don't get to live there.
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saraheg77 Jun 21, 2006 at 3:33 AM

Hi Kiwi - we have 9 nights on the South Island (Aug/Sep) and wondering how you recommend to split where we stay the nights? Definitely Queenstown & Christchurch - where else and how many? :) Thanks!
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AKtravelers Dec 28, 2005 at 6:37 PM

Great opening photo! I can't wait to take the highest road (I get to drive, Andrea gets to look).
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Darby2 Nov 6, 2005 at 5:19 PM

One more place to put on my visit list!! Thanks, Pam!
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baronedivandastad Jul 17, 2005 at 1:06 PM

You just made me willing to tour the South Island on my motorbike. But how can I get it there? :o( - White amatriciana is amatriciana without tomatoes. We call white pizza the one without tomato as well
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KristaB Sep 22, 2004 at 11:29 AM

Hi Pam! I'm helping my younger one with the homework, and she would love to steal the pic of Punakaiki Rocks for her workbook, ok? :o)
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Antji Sep 3, 2004 at 12:06 PM

NZ is on my TOP 6 Destinations I would love to visit oneday - especially south island! fantastic mountain pics!
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tessy Jul 22, 2004 at 3:02 PM

Punakaiki rocks - would like to visit there!
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pepples46 Dec 11, 2003 at 4:19 PM

yep I would say too.....jolly good Pam
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Goner Oct 1, 2003 at 9:20 PM

Good information. Is that the fastest boat from the North Island to the South Island?