South Island
Places To Go
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, known for its beautiful gardens, historic architecture, and as the gateway to explore the Canterbury region. The city has a rich colonial history and is often referred to as the “Garden City” for its numerous parks and green spaces. Christchurch was significantly impacted by the 2011 earthquake but has since undergone a major rebuilding effort. It is also a hub for arts and culture, with a thriving local scene.
Queenstown
Adventure Capital of New Zealand
Queenstown (Māori: Tāhuna) is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand’s South Island. It is the seat and largest town in the Queenstown-Lakes District. The town located on the northwestern edge of Lake Wakatipu, a long, thin, Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, and has views of nearby mountains such as The Remarkable, Cecil Peak, Walter Peak and just above the town, Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill. Queenstown is known for its tourism businesses, especially adventure and ski tourism.
Dunedin
( The Edinburg of New Zealand )
Dunedin (/dʌˈniːdɪn/ duh-NEE-din; Māori: Ōtepoti) is the second-most populous city in the South Island of New Zealand (after Christchurch), and the principal city of the Otago region. Its name comes from Dùn Èideann (“fort of Edin”), the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. The city has a rich Māori, Scottish, and Chinese heritage.
Wanaka
“The Jewel of the South Island”
One of the most prizely-held gems of New Zealand’s South Island is the charming little town of Wanaka, located around 70 km away from the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown. Known before also as Pembroke and built along the banks of the surrounding Lake Wanaka, this characterful lakeside town is replete with some of the most stunning views of Kiwi landscape.
Nelson
“Gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park”
Nelson, located on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, is the oldest city in the South Island and the second-oldest settled city in the country, established in 1841. Known as “Sunny Nelson” due to its high annual sunshine hours, the city boasts a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters. Nelson serves as a gateway to several national parks, including Abel Tasman, Kahurangi, and Nelson Lakes, offering abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Oamaru
Whitestone City
Oamaru is the largest town in North Otago, in the South Island of New Zealand, it is the main town in the Waitaki District. It is 80 kilometers (50 mi) south of Timaru and 120 kilometers (75 mi) north of Dunedin on the Pacific coast; State Highway 1 and the railway Main South Line connect it to both cities. With a population of 14,350, Oamaru is the 28th largest urban area in New Zealand, and the third largest in Otago behind Dunedin and Queenstown. The town is the seat of Waitaki District, which includes the surrounding towns of Kurow, Weston, Palmerston, and Hampden, which combined have a total population of 23,200.
