EXPLORE THE MAGNIFICENT SOUTH & STEWART ISLANDS
With its claims to some of the most rugged landscapes in the world, New Zealand has always been the place for adventure. But with its whaling, gold mining and sheep farming beginnings there is also a remarkable history.
The South Island, Te Waipounamu, is the largest of New Zealand’s main islands; Stewart Island, Rakiura, the smallest. Only a quarter of our 4.4 million population live in the South Island – a gloriously uncrowded land.
Travel through the “Mainland’s” ever changing scenery – the golden beaches of the Abel Tasman; the lush rainforest and wild scenery of the West Coast; the rugged, snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps; the tussock coloured plains of Central Otago to the deep majestic sounds of Fiordland.
A self-drive journey is one of the best ways for you see and explore this ever-changing land.
There's plenty to see and explore.
One minute you could be learning of the settlers’ struggles and the natural history, then throwing yourself out of an aeroplane or dining on some fresh crayfish washed down with a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon. From kayaking in the Abel Tasman, to hiking in the mountains, to crossing the Southern Alps by train, to whale watching in Kaikoura, to a day spent on the Otago Peninsula, to a hike on a glacier to birdwatching on Stewart Island or an afternoon just enjoying the peace and quiet of this unpopulated island with a glass of wine in your hand. You will wish that your trip to the South Island was longer.
Some of the Island's Highlights
Abel Tasman National Park – New Zealand’s smallest National Park is named after Dutch explorer Abel Janzoon Tasman, who sighted land here in 1642. Ridiculously beautiful – azure waters, golden sands and verdant bush, make this a paradise for exploration, by foot, kayak, water taxi and boat – or a combination of all of these. Half day to multi-day trips staying in campsites, huts or beachfront lodges, you will love making your way around the coast, from bay to bay, cooling off swimming, in the crystal clear waters. Paradise.
Marlborough – It is quite possible that you will arrive in this area by the Interislander Ferry – what an introduction! Soon after crossing the Cook Strait, the ferry slows down as you cruise through the Queen Charlotte Sound, with its little bays, golden beaches and a host of pleasure craft filled with New Zealanders out to get their “feed” of cod. A great way for you to explore more of the Sounds is on a Mail Boat Trip, a fishing charter or by walking the Queen Charlotte Track. Further south the lush bush of the Sounds opens out into the open plains and the Marlborough wine region – it was here that really put New Zealand wine on the international stage.
Kaikoura – Kaikoura roughly translates as “meal of crayfish” (Kai – food; koura – crayfish). It was the whaling industry that led to the first European settlement here – you can learn of some of the history in the museum and Fyffe House, a whaler’s cottage, some of the foundations of which are whale bone. Today, whale watching, swimming with dolphins, and varying other wildlife and water based trips are the main income earners for the town, though farming is also important. Kaikoura is in a beautiful setting, nestled between the mountains, covered with snow for much of the year and the vast Pacific Ocean.
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park – A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1986, home of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mt Cook, training ground of Sir Edmund Hillary before his Everest ascent, the rugged rock and ice landscape of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park will amaze all visitors. Nineteen peaks in the Park are over 3000m, small wonder therefore that more than a third of the Park is permanently covered in snow. The drive in to Mount Cook Village is stunning, not least because you skirt the shores of the glacially blue Lake Pukaki.
TranzAlpine Train Journey – Often billed as one of the “Great Train Journeys of the World”, the TranzAlpine scenic train journey crosses the Southern Alps between Christchurch and Greymouth. The landscape continually changes from the Canterbury Plains, the Waimakariri Gorge, snow capped mountains, beech forest and Lake Brunner. Truly a trip of a lifetime.
Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers – Accessible, near to the ocean, almost at sea level and flowing into rain forest – this is what sets these two glaciers apart from others in New Zealand and the rest of the world. You can walk up to the varying viewpoints, take a scenic flight over them with a snow landing or heli – hike or ice climb – or all of these! Those forgotten geography lessons will come alive.
Queenstown – The resort town of Queenstown, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by mountains is vibrant and lively, summer and winter. True, it is the adventure capital of New Zealand, but there is something for everyone here. The filmmakers are well aware of its beauty – The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe, Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit all have many scenes filmed in the surrounding country. It is a base to explore the nearby wine country or the many tramping tracks at the head of the Lake, a visit to the old gold town of Arrowtown, 4WD trips or just a place to relax.
Fiordland – Fourteen fiords spanning 215km of coastline, the best known of which are Milford and Doubtful Sound. At 1.2 million hectares, it is the largest National Park in New Zealand. Home of three of the Great Walks – The Milford Track, Routeburn Track and Kepler Track and the small towns of Te Anau and Manapouri. Perfect for those who want to get out and explore the great outdoors and perfect also for those who want to relax and just enjoy the scenery.
Otago Peninsula – So close to the city of Dunedin, but a true wilderness – fur seals and sea lions, penguins, albatross, rugged coastline and wild beaches.
Catlins – The coastal region in the South East between Kaka Point and Fortrose is called the Catlins. It is rich in waterfalls, bush walks, deserted beaches, native forest, Hector’s dolphins, Yellow-eyed penguins, seals and sea lions. Remote and sparsely populated it is quiet, sleepy, gentle and welcoming to those who want peace and nature.
Stewart Island – Stewart Island, Rakiura, 30km from the South Island, across Foveaux Strait, is New Zealand’s third largest island. Its population is just 400, and is based in the only settlement of Oban in Half Moon Bay. Income is mainly from fishing and tourism – tourists who visit the island, mainly for the bird and wildlife. It offers some of the best land and sea bird watching in New Zealand, both on Stewart Island itself and Ulva Island, a predator free island in Patterson Inlet.Many visit Mason’s Bay, as there is the prospect of seeing kiwi here, in the wild. Home of another of the Great Walks, The Rakiura Track is a 3 day walk and there are also countless shorter options. The crossing (by air or sea) may be a bit rough, but it is mercifully short and soon forgotten and replaced by memories of what you have just seen and done – and you may just strike it lucky – it may be flat calm!
