South IslandSouth Island at a Glance
About 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.
Best Time to Visit South Island
For the South Island, summer (December-February) is best for hiking and sightseeing, while winter is for skiing and alpine sports.
Weather & Climate near South Island
South Island's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in February) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 1°C to 20°C. Heavy rainfall (2619 mm/year), wettest in May.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 11° - 19° | 15° | 137 mm | - | - | 5.6 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 11° - 20° | 15° | 156 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 10° - 18° | 14° | 209 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 7° - 16° | 12° | 303 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 4° - 13° | 6° | 344 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 2° - 11° | 4° | 167 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 1° - 10° | 3° | 179 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 2° - 11° | 4° | 220 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 4° - 13° | 5° | 268 mm | - | - | 5.9 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 6° - 14° | 10° | 239 mm | - | - | 5.7 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 8° - 16° | 12° | 196 mm | - | - | 6.6 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 10° - 18° | 14° | 201 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to South Island
New Zealand’s South Island can be reached by flying into major airports such as Christchurch or Queenstown, or by taking the Cook Strait ferry from Wellington to Picton and then driving south. Once on the island, the main population centres and tourist sites are connected by state highways; car travel is the most common way to reach remote areas.
Tips for Visiting South Island
- Base longer stays around major hubs such as Queenstown, Wanaka or Christchurch but plan day trips early (depart before 8 AM) to popular sites like Milford Sound and Aoraki/Mount Cook to beat tour-bus crowds.
- Book ferries between Picton and Wellington in advance when traveling in summer, and schedule driving legs with extra time-many scenic routes are single-carriageway and slower than they appear on maps.
- Consider visiting outside peak summer weeks (Christmas-New Year and school holidays) when accommodation and roads become heavily congested, especially in alpine and Fiordland areas.