South Island

城市概覽

The South Island of New Zealand is the larger of the two main islands and is sometimes referred to as the 'Mainland' (especially by South Islanders) despite having just 1.2 million of New Zealand's 5.2 million population – or about 20 per cent of NZ's population. Geographically the South Island is dominated by the Southern Alps which divide the island and affect both climate and flora. Most of the South Island's national parks are strung out along this main divide. Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and Nelson are the main settlements, but many attractions are outside the cities. All four cities are very different. Christchurch is the largest and had a certain English feel to it until earthquakes and shopping malls took their toll. Nowadays it is definitely a New World city. Dunedin was settled by Scottish Presbyterians and is very proud of those roots. It also feels older than other cities in NZ because it was built by gold rush money in the late 19th century but has since been surpassed by bigger and brasher cities to the north. Invercargill has been steadily losing population for many years but the warmth of that southern welcome will astound you. Nelson is still very young by European standards (although it was the second founded city in New Zealand) but still has its own symphony orchestra and a fine collection of Victorian stately homes. It has a very South Pacific feel with palm trees and a huge and beautiful white sand beach. However, beautiful beaches are a dime a dozen in the South Island and some of the best do not average even one visitor per day.

Climate

The South Island generally has a more invigorating climate than the North Island; all the major weather records in New Zealand have been set in the South Island. The sea and the Southern Alps are the main contributors to the island's climate. The moist westerly air flow from the Tasman Sea rises as it hits the mountains. This causes orthographic rain which is dumped on the West Coast of the island;

如何抵達

By plane Christchurch's airport has flights from the most international locations, with services from countries in and around Australia, the Pacific, and from Dubai, Singapore and Guangzhou (and San Francisco between Dec and Mar). Dunedin and Queenstown also have international flights, but only from Australia. There are scheduled flights from the North Island to (listed north to south) Picton, Blenheim, Nelson, Takaka, Westport, Timaru and Invercargill, plus the three international airports. Christchurch also has flights from the Chatham Islands and Invercargill has flights from Stewart Island.

By boat

Bluebridge and the Interislander ferry companies sail across Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton through the Marlborough Sounds. They take bikes, cars, buses and trains, and the scenery on a good day is spectacular. The ferries are substantial ships designed for the sometimes rough conditions and the journey takes between 3 and 3.5 hours.

當地交通

By plane As getting around the South Island is a scenic experience, you may not be interested in local flights, but they can be convenient when connecting to other flights, or save spending a full day in a coach. Air New Zealand fly from Christchurch to Invercargill, Dunedin, Queenstown, Hokitika and Nelson. Sounds Air fly from Christchurch to Blenheim. Queenstown has flights to Milford Sound. At the premium end of the market there are various short scenic flights and helicopter trips.

By coach (bus) Coaches (long-distance buses) are a cheap way to get around the main centres. There are a range of types of services, from a luxury coach service to minivan shuttles. Shuttles that service a local area can be found in the articles for the regions and towns that they service.

Bottom Bus, ☏ +64 3 434-7370, fax: +64 3 434-7376. Dunedin, Catlins, Invercargill, Te Anau, Milford Sound. InterCity Coachlines, ☏ +64 9 623-1503, [email protected]. High quality coaches and extensive network. East West Coaches. Daily transport from Westport and Greymouth to Christchurch (via Arthur's Pass) and return. (updated Apr 2026) Catch-a-Bus. Daily door-to-door minibus service between Invercargill and Dunedin; they also have a less frequent service between Invercargill and Queenstown or Te Anau. (updated Apr 2026) Tracknet. Buses between Te Anau and Queenstown and to some walking routes. (updated Apr 2026)

By road

The South Island has a vast and varying road network. Having less traffic than the North Island, there are very few motorways, totalling just 34 km (21 mi), all of them being in Christchurch except for a single one in Dunedin, so most inter-city driving is done on two-lane undivided highways. The road network also has many one-lane bridges. Rental cars are available in most sizeable towns. The best range (and hence lowest prices) are in Picton (just off the Cook Strait ferries) and Christchurch. Internet-based rideshare and carpooling systems are growing in

必看景點

There are not many places in the world where you can ask "Where's the nice scenery?" and be answered "Pretty much everywhere", but the South Island is one of them. Simply driving from one town to another can reveal stunning views that many locals take for granted. From snow-capped mountains to wild beaches to ancient fiords to natural forest, the South Island features a remarkable number of varied and stunning landscapes in such a small package. Some highlights from an island full of them are:

The forest-lined shores of the Marlborough Sounds Abel Tasman National Park with its warm weather and sandy bays Kaikoura with its rugged coast and mountains dropping almost straight into the sea The vast open spaces of the Canterbury Plains with the backdrop of the snow-capped Southern Alps The beautiful and sparse Mackenzie Country, with Mount Cook (New Zealand's tallest mountain) and picturesque lakes The dry, open landscapes of Central Otago The popular towns of Queenstown and Wanaka, nestled beside lakes with stunning mountain scenery and offering some of the best hiking, kayaking, skiing, jet boating and mountain biking in the country Milford Sound, the most popular and accessible of the many glacial fiords in Fiordland – the highway to get there, State Highway 94, was voted one of the 10 most scenically stunning road journeys on the planet. The wild and wet West Coast, complete with easily accessible glaciers Wildlife – including seals, sea lions, whales, dolphins, penguins, albatrosses and other unusual native birds

體驗活動

Numbering almost as many as the varied natural attractions are the possible ways to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

Cycling The South Island is a great cycling destination, featuring on road, off-road, and serious downhill mountain biking tracks. Cycling is a popular way to explore both the whole island and individual regions. For some it can be the method of choice for getting around the island and it's not uncommon to see intrepid travellers cycling on South Island highways. There are a number