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New Zealand is renowned for breathtaking landscapes, but its allure goes far beyond natural beauty. With a rich blend of adventure, culture and cosmopolitan charm, each island offers something unique. Whether you’re after the vibrant, urban vibe of the North Island or the rugged, tranquil landscapes of the South Island, we’ve got it all covered.
Landscape
Bestowed with unique and diverse landscapes, the North and South Islands both offer their fair share of natural splendour, spliced with vibrant cultural and culinary experiences.
South Island
Possessing serious wow factor, the South Island’s landscape feels completely disconnected from the rest of the world between its glaciers, fiords, mountains and lakes. The scenery appears even more photogenic from the slopes of the perennially snow-dusted Southern Alps, in the shadow of Mt. Cook’s overwhelming beauty and atop Franz Josef Glacier.
Further south, Queenstown, Wanaka and Te Anau – the most magical place to watch the sunset behind the mountains – are your gateway to Fiordland National Park, Arrowtown, Marlborough wine country and Glenorchy.
North Island
The North Island has a thick concentration of bedazzling scenes too. In between Tongariro National Park’s volcanic spectacles, Rotorua’s healing hot springs, the Mediterranean beauty of the Bay of Islands and the cosmopolitan buzz of Auckland and Wellington, choosing an island can seem near impossible. If you’re short on time, the North Island has the game stitched up. Everything is much closer together, which means you can cover more ground in less time, making it ideal for a shorter stay.
Climate
Thanks to New Zealand’s maritime environment and majestic mountain ranges, it pays to expect ‘four seasons in one day’ anywhere, anytime. But that doesn’t mean that each island’s climate is identical.
South Island
You’ll need to pack plenty of layers when exploring the South Island, even in summer. The South Island’s weather is finicky and unpredictable, with temperatures plummeting to minus figures throughout winter.
North Island
A hive of geothermal marvels and volcanic activity, it’s only fitting that the North Island is warmer and more tropical than its southern counterpart. It could be considered T-shirt weather even in winter when temperatures drop to 16°C, but an umbrella is advised.
Cities
From the world capital of adventure, Queenstown, in the South, to the foodie haven of Wellington in the North, New Zealand’s cities have something to offer every type of traveller. So, which is calling your name?
South Island
Set against an ancient volcanic peninsula and Canterbury’s lush vines, Christchurch is renowned for its diversity. Soak up the city’s urban vibes with an artisanal cup of coffee, stroll the graffiti-covered laneways or ride the beautifully restored trams on a 17-stop loop, which will take you past Cathedral Square and New Regent Street.
Meanwhile, Queenstown is Disneyland for thrill seekers. Melt away in cedar-lined hot pools, explore New Zealand’s largest wine cave – Gibbston Valley Winery – kayak across Lake Wakatipu, ski in winter, bungy jump off Kawarau Bridge and cycle through Middle-earth in Arrowtown and beyond.
North Island
Blessed with an incredible coast, two harbours, world-class vineyards and an irresistible art scene, Auckland is a place where you can enjoy relaxed coastal living at Waiheke Island by day, and romantic restaurant dining in the Wynyard Quarter by night.
Pleasingly walkable, Wellington is your one-stop shop to get a dose of Māori culture. Find Academy Award-winning magic at Weta Workshop, travel on the bright red Wellington Cable Car and get lost among the nearby vines of Wairarapa. It is also quickly becoming the gourmet capital of New Zealand.
Attractions
While it would be near-impossible to list all of the incredible activities each island has to offer, we’ve rounded up some of the most unique experiences you can expect in the South and the North.
South Island
Discover road-trip heaven in and around the Southern Alps with visits to the former gold mining village of Arrowtown, Hooker Valley at the base of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Glenorchy, the cinematic backdrop of Peter Jackson’s ‘Lord of the Rings’.
For otherworldly views, witness the incredibly clear, star-studded night skies of Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve – one of eight dark sky reserves in the world – and explore the majestic Fiordland National Park. Travellers also head to the South Island for Lake Tekapo’s hot springs and Te Anau’s luminous glowworm caves.
North Island
Get your dose of Māori culture with an evening in Mitai Māori Village and canoe across Lake Taupo to see the ancient Māori rock carvings of Mine Bay. Discover awesome geothermal wonders clustered around Taupo and Rotorua, take a walk through one of the world’s last prehistoric forests in Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Forest Park and experience natural phenomena at Hot Water Beach and the Mediterranean-worthy Bay of Islands. For an adrenaline kick, bungee jump off the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Food and wine
New Zealand has much to offer the culinary adventurer. From its diverse wine regions to slick city eateries and farmers’ markets, the South and North Islands both have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to gourmet indulgence.
South Island
If you’re looking for the ultimate post-ski feed in Queenstown, don’t look beyond Fergburger, affectionately known as ‘Ferg’s’ and dubbed ‘New Zealand’s or the planet’s best burger joint’ by CNN Travel.
If wine-tasting nirvana is more your thing, you can’t pass Marlborough, a pretty picture of 20,000 hectares of vines with 30 cellar doors within a 10-minute drive; must-visit wineries include Cloudy Bay and Saint Clair. Just a 60-minute drive from Christchurch, you’ll find Waipara Valley, home to fields of lavender, olive groves and over 60 vineyards.
New Zealand’s quirky little capital is renowned for its outstanding foodie scene, where you can taste artisanal peanut butter at Fix & Fogg on Hannah’s Laneway and sip the spoils of a thriving craft beer scene at Garage Project in Aro Valley.
North Island
If enjoying a flight of wine sounds like the perfect afternoon, visit Hawke’s Bay, halfway between Auckland and Wellington, with a legacy dating back to 1851. A 35-minute ferry ride from Auckland, you can discover Waiheke Island, a haven of 20 wineries.
