South Island is the largest island,with 25% of the
population population live there. This make the 1
million residents here in the minority, as they are
out-populated by the sheep, deer and cattle,
This wasn't always the case, though, during the 19th
century, due to the discovery of gold. Dunedin became the
wealthiest city in the country, and more than half of the
population lived in the South Island. As well as many
european residents, many thousand chinese workers migrated to work
the mines, which added to the population. The North
Island population overtook the South in the early 20th century, and
the exodus continued slowly for the rest of the 20th century,
leading to the current situation.
The South Island is divided into 7 local government areas,
starting at the north with the smallest region,
Nelson, then north to south, Tasman, Marlborough, West
Coast, Canterbury, Otago and Southland, in
the south which includes Stewart Island. There are
only 5 cities in the South Island, Nelson, Timaru,
Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill. All the
cities, other than Queenstown, and most of the large
towns, are located on the eastern costal
plains, this is due to the central mountain range that
runs the entire length of the island.
The Islands weather is mainly temperate, with wetter, cooler and
cloudier climate in the south of the island, and is warmer, sunnier
and drier in the north. The Southern Alps mountain range,
that runs north-east to south-west down the island, is snow covered
all year round, and the glaciers, the major ones being Fox and
Franz Josef in the west, and the Tasman, Hooker, Mueller and
Murchison in the east, fluctuate with the seasons. Glacial
erosion over thousands of years, has left a rugged landscape that
is now lush, green steep valleys, and over 4,000 lake-filled
basins, creating stunning scenery and breathtaking views.
Select your destination from the map, or from the list below, to view properties and hotel information.
Click on a city/town for details of the accommodation available there...
Akaroa
Akaroa is small town of around 700 residents located on the shores of a large natural inlet harbour, on the Banks Peninsular, that is home to a variety of sealife, including Hecters Dolphins, seals, penguins, as well as an abundance of different birdlife and wildfowl.
Arrowtown
Arrowtown is a historic, gold mining town on the banks of the River Arrow, and being very close to Queenstown, only 10 miles away, it is an option as your main base to stay if you want to be close to the big town, but not actually in it!
Arthurs Pass
Mainly used as a stopping point for travellers going from coast to coast, Arthurs Pass is a small alpine town, with only few visitor services, but amazing views and scenery.
Ashburton
Ashburton is a few miles in land from the central-eastern coast, south-west of Christchurch, and is renown for fantastic fishing, especially salmon fishing.
Blenheim
Located in the heart of the Marlborough region, in the north-east corner of the South island, and close to the inter-island ferry terminal, Blenheim is famous for the world renown vineyard in the area.
Darfield
Darfield is a small town set in wonderfully scenic countryside on State Highway 73, in the north-east of the South Island, is only 20 miles west of Christchurch and the coast, and is close to the Canterbury ski resorts.
Dunedin
Dunedin is found on the south-east coast, and is located on the slopes above Otago Harbour, and extends out into the surrounding valleys, hills and coastline of the Otago Peninsula.
Fairlie
Fairlie is small relaxed and friendly town with a village feel in the centre of the South Island,and being close to 3 of the area's main ski fields, is an ideal stopping place for a bit of adventure.
Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers
The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are located amongst stunning scenery and offer breathtaking views on your journey up to, and on the glaciers themselves.
Greymouth
Greymouth is situated on the west coast of the South Island, on the Tasman Sea, at the mouth of the Grey River. It is north-west of Christchurch, south of Nelson, and north of Hokitika.
Haast
Haast is a small town located on the central west coast. The Haast Region is actually a large area of spectacular landscapes, that includes Haast Township, Haast Beach, Haast Pass, Haast Junction, the Haast River and Hell's Gate, and stunning scenery everywhere you look.
Hanmer Springs
Set in the Hanmer Forest Park, Hanmer Springs is a small town located in the Caterbury region on the South Island, and is very popular as a domestic holiday destination for New Zealanders.
Harihari
Built to support the timber industry at the turn of the last century, Hari Hari (or Harihari) is a small, town on the South Island's west coast on SH6, making travelling to or through the town popular with visitors exploring north/south on the South Island's west coast.
Hokitika
Located on the South Islands west coast, between the banks of the Hokitika River and the Tasman Sea coastline, with the great Southern Alps mountain range as a backdrop, Hikitika a nice, friendly town with a quiet, relaxing atmosphere.
Invercargill
New Zealand's southernmost city, Invercargill is on the south coast, on the vast Southland plains, and is a good location for visiting the stunning Fiordland National Park and Stewart Island, just off the coast.
Kaikoura
Kiakoura is a large town on the South Island's north-east coast, on State Highway 1, south of the inter-island ferry terminal. Located on the Kaikoura Peninsula, there is a huge variety of sealife, dolphins, seals and number of different species of whales to watch.
Lake Brunner
An area of outstanding natural beauty, Lake Brunner is located in the north west of the South Island, and is one of the largest lakes in New Zealand, covering an area of 40 square kilometers.
Lake Moeraki
Lake Moeraki is a scenic area on the west coast of the South Island, close to the Haast region, with a picturesque lake, dense forest and a beautiful coastline. There isn't a main town here, but there are shops, restaurants and accommodation along SH6 offering services to guest staying in the area.
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a 10mile long Fiord in the south-west corner of the South Island and is the main gateway to explore the spectacular mountain scenery and deep water fiords of the Fiordland National Park.
Mount Cook and surrounding area
Mount Cook, also know by its traditional Maori name, Mount Aoraki, is located right in the centre of the South Island and is the premier location in New Zealand to view the Glaciers.
Murchison
Known as the "White Water Capital" of New Zealand, Murchison is a small town in the north-west corner of the South Island, pproximately halfway between Nelson and Richmond, on the north coast, and Westport on the west coast.
Nelson
A centre for arts and crafts, the town of Nelson is on the northern coast on the east shore of Tasman Bay, 88 miles west of the inter-island ferry terminal at Picton.
Oamaru
Being the largest town in the North Otago Region, Oamaru, is on the central-south-east coast of the South Island, between Christchurch, in the north, and Dunedin, in the south.
Te Anau
Te Anau is a small town on the shore of Lake Te Anau, the largest in the South Island, and is at the start of the Milford Road, on the borders of the Fiordland National Park.
Picton
Picton is at the head of the large Queen Charlotte Sound, and is the location for the port and terminal of the inter-island ferry service which operates across the Cook Strait, to and from Wellington, in the North Island.
Punakaiki
The small village of Punakaiki, with less than 100 permanent residents, is located on the edge of Paparoa National Park, half way between Westport and Greymouth, and is most famous for being close to the Pancake Rock Formations.
Queenstown
Queenstown is located in the central south west of the South Island, around Queenstown Bay.
Timaru
Built on the slopes of the nearby extinct volcano, Timaru is a busy seaport town located on State Highway 1, making it a popular stopping point with tourists driving north/south of the South Island's east coast.
Wanaka
At the southern end of Lake Wanaka and close to Lake Hawea, Wanaka is located in the south west of the South Island, north of Queenstown and south of Franz Josef Glacier area.
Westport
Westport is located on the north-west coast of the South Island, at the mouth of the Buller River, and as the area is relatively quiet with tourists, it might be a good stop on a west coast trip for some peaceful relaxation.