Nicknamed “the mainland,” New Zealand’s South Island is the country’s largest island by size but far smaller than the North Island by population. You can arrive by boat to Picton or fly into Christchurch. Towns are few and far between here, but there are a whole lot of geographic marvels squished between: the Southern Alps, lowland glaciers, fjords and sounds, primeval rainforests, dazzling lakes, golden beaches, cliffs, coastlines, and much more. There are seemingly endless things to do in the South Island.
The South Island is a year-round destination, with warm, dry summers and cold winters with snow in certain places. Summer (December–February) is a good time to come for beaches, hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking. The Christmas, New Year, and school holiday period in January can be busy. The ski resorts in the Southern Alps typically operate from June through September.
Public transport is limited in the South Island and can only be relied upon within the cities and to link several major cities. A few scenic long-distance train routes traverse the east coast side and connect Christchurch with the West Coast region. Most travelers find it easier to rent a car to travel around the South Island, especially as many attractions are in rural areas.
Despite being home to New Zealand’s second-largest city, Christchurch, the South Island is predominantly rural and sparsely inhabited. Major roads tend to circle the perimeter of the island as the mountain chain in the middle, the Southern Alps, makes it challenging to get from west to east. Plan any road trips through the South Island carefully to avoid backtracking, as some places that look close on the map can take days to travel between.
