Touring Ideas
Distance Calculator
| Mouse-Over Place Names | |||
| Place Names | Km | Miles | Time |
| Akaroa Alexandra Ashburton Blenheim Christchurch Collingwood Cromwell Dunedin Franz Josef Geraldine Gore Greymouth Haast Hanmer Springs Hokitika Invercargill Kaikoura Milford Sound Mount Cook Murchison Nelson Oamaru Picton Queenstown Te Anau Lake Tekapo Timaru Twizel Wanaka Westport |
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The South Island of New Zealand comes with a reputation as a unique land packed with magnificent, raw scenery: craggy coastlines, primeval forests, snow-capped alpine mountains, fast flowing rivers and glacier-fed lakes, all beneath a brilliant blue sky.
The South Island kicks off with the world-renowned wineries of Marlborough and appealing Nelson. From here you will encounter the famous Southern Alps which form the backbone of the South Island and have numerous glaciers in the Fox and Franz Josef regions.
Christchurch known as the 'Garden City' is the South Island's largest. From here heading South on the inland route you will leave the Canterbury Plains and pass by Mount Cook/Aoraki, New Zealand's highest mountain.
Onto Queenstown 'the adventure capital of New Zealand' a resort town like no other offering year round activities including; bungy jumping, rafting, jet-boating and of course skiing in the winter.
This area is also the gateway to the World Heritage Fiordland National Park which has the internationally famous Milford Sound and Milford Track.
The South Island of New Zealand offers a great range of scenic experiences in a still unspoilt, sparsely populated environment.
Your South Island tourist destinations:
Nelson - The highest sunshine hours in New Zealand and blue skies all year round, beaches, bush and mountains side by side..... this is Nelson!
Blenheim - 70 wineries, scenic parks, walkways, gardens and art/craft trails are only some of Blenheims attractions.
Kaikoura - Kaikoura's unique combination of alpine and ocean scenery, including resident sperm whales, never fails to inspire.
Hanmer Springs - Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve is a natural area of hot springs developed into a relaxing and revitalising spa complex.
Christchurch - The river Avon winds through the city with punts drifting up and down, weeping willow trees stand at the riverbank and restored Trams cross the stone bridges.
Akaroa - French, Bristish, Maori and whaling history all blend together in Akaroa, Canterburys oldest village.
Methven - The central Canterbury village is a playground for all seasons mixing skiing in winter and a plethora of outdoor activities in Summer including jet boating, ballooning.
Aoraki Mount Cook - New Zealand's Highest Mountain and a World Heritage park preserved in its natural state for the benefit and enjoyment of all people.
Greymouth - Greymouth was a gold rush town, and has expanded it's attributes to include jade, outdoor activites and the famous TranzAlpine Express.
Franz Josef Glacier - Few sights equal the spectacle of this giant tongue of ice grinding down through temperate rainforest to just 250 metres above sea level.
Fox Glacier - Tucked into the rainforest-clad foothills of the Southern Alps, the glacier and the stunning reflections of lake Matheson are the main attractions.
Queenstown - The adventure capital of New Zealand.
Milford Sound - Described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world'. One of New Zealand's must-visit destinations.
Glenorchy - Glenorchy, a tiny, charming village bordered by a World Heritage Area is totally surrounded by mountains, the scenery is majestic and powerful.
Wanaka - Lake Wanaka is an inspiring place of tranquillity and beauty with lake, river and alpine based activities and the Mount Aspiring National Park World Heritage area.
Te Anau - On the shores of beautiful Lake Te Anau with a spectacular backdrop of Mount Luxmore and the Murchison Mountains range, the township of Te Anau is an attractive resort town.
Dunedin - Memorable for its historical architecture and renowned for its proximity to incredible wildlife.