South Island

The South Island is the larger of New Zealand’s two main islands and is noted for its dramatic mountain ranges, extensive national parks and long fiords. The island contains the Southern Alps, which run much of its length and include the country’s highest peaks.

Key natural highlights include Aoraki / Mount Cook (3,724 metres), Fiordland and Milford Sound, and the temperate rainforests and glaciers of the West Coast such as Franz Josef and Fox. These areas are primary destinations for alpine climbing, tramping, scenic drives and wilderness tourism.

Settlement is concentrated in coastal plains and river valleys, with smaller population centres compared with the North Island; the island economy includes tourism, agriculture and forestry. Transport links include coastal ferries to the North Island and a network of roads and regional airports.

Geographically the South Island lies southwest of the North Island across Cook Strait and is bounded by the Tasman Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east.

• Size and topography: The South Island is larger by land area than the North Island and contains the country's highest mountain ranges and major wilderness areas.

What to See #

• Aoraki / Mount Cook: Aoraki / Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand at 3,724 metres and a focal peak of the Southern Alps.
• Fiordland and Milford Sound: Fiordland National Park, a rugged southwest region containing fjords such as Milford Sound and extensive wilderness and hiking routes.
• West Coast glaciers: West Coast glaciers including Franz Josef and Fox, which descend from high alpine areas toward temperate rainforest near the coast.