• View
• Edit
• History
• Print

South Island New Zealand

INTRODUCTION

New Zealand lives in the shadow of neighboring Australia, but has so much to offer and can be completely covered in a matter of weeks. The South Island hosts a few large cities, two of which are Queenstown and Christchurch. Although if you'd rather trade the car for hiking boots, you won't be disappointed with the array of mountain vistas, trails, and pint-sized towns set well off the beaten track.

ATTRACTIONS

Time is no issue--because the island is so small, you can hike the Hooker Valley, touch the Franz Josef glacier, and tour Lake Tekapo in just a few days. Viewing the island by car is the best way to take in the sights. Make your own itinerary and pull over to photograph sheep at sunrise, should the moment present itself.

Lakes aren't always a murky green, like you'd expect them to be. The glacial waters of Lake Tekapo glow a bright turquoise. If you're sick of seeing blue, Mt. Cook and Aoraki have snowy white peaks that provide excellent scenery.