South Island
Glaciers, fiords and alpine lakes draw travelers to the larger of New Zealand's two main islands, where distances are long and each day needs a plan.
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The South Island is the larger of New Zealand's two main islands, with about 1.26 million people, roughly a quarter of the national population. Its Māori name, Te Wai-pounamu, is an official alternative to 'South Island.' The Southern Alps run about 500 km along the island, and Aoraki / Mount Cook, at 3,724 m, is the highest peak in New Zealand. Glaciers such as the Fox and Franz Josef sit on the West Coast, and Fiordland's fiords, including Milford Sound, are in the southwest.
Fiordland National Park is the country's largest national park, and nine of New Zealand's thirteen national parks are on the island. Christchurch is the main airport hub, and Dunedin has Scottish Presbyterian and gold-rush history. Cook Strait separates the island from the North Island, and the Wellington to Picton ferry takes about three to three and a half hours. January and February are the warmest months and July is the coldest. Distances are long, so pick one loop and give each area a full day.
South Island in five
- Cross Cook Strait by ferry or fly inInterislander lists a 3.5-hour sailing time between Wellington and Picton. Flying into Christchurch or Queenstown saves a day for those with a tight schedule.Interislander
- Pick a loop and add travel daysA typical route links Christchurch, the West Coast glaciers, Queenstown and Fiordland. Mountain roads are slow, so plan to do less than the map suggests.
- Take the TranzAlpine for one legThe TranzAlpine is a scenic train between Christchurch and Greymouth operated by Great Journeys New Zealand. It makes sense if you want to skip driving Arthurs Pass in one direction.TranzAlpine
- Book Fiordland and the glaciers in summerCruises, scenic flights and accommodation in Queenstown, Te Anau and the glacier towns fill up in the peak season. Reserve before you lock in the route.Fiordland
- Pack for four seasons in a dayAlpine passes and the West Coast can turn cold and wet even in summer. Carry a rain jacket and warm layers, whatever the forecast.
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in South Island, the full guide
Christchurch
- Price band: $$
Queenstown
- Price band: $$$$
Dunedin
- Price band: $
Wanaka
A lakeside town in New Zealand's South Island, Wānaka is known for hikes with lake views, Roys Peak and nearby ski areas. It moves at a slower pace than Queenstown.
Things to do in South Island
See all attractions in South Island
Need to know
- Airport
- Christchurch (CHC) and Queenstown (ZQN) are the main gateways
- Getting there
- Fly direct, or take the ferry from Wellington to Picton
- Getting around
- A car or campervan for most routes; some coach and rail links
- Best base
- Christchurch, Queenstown and Te Anau for different legs
- Time needed
- 10 to 14 days for a loop; 5 to 7 for a short route
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain19 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Summer, busyJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 350 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Summer, busy
- FebruaryRain15 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Warm, settledFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 373 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, settled
- MarchRain16 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low5°Mild, quieterMarchRain
Best
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 331 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- AprilRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low2°Autumn colorAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 363 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- MayRain17 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh6°Low1°CoolerMayRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 416 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cooler
- JuneRain14 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh3°Low-2°Cold, ski seasonJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 287 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, ski season
- JulySnow17 rainy days11 snowy daysHigh3°Low-3°Coldest, snowJulySnow
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 357 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 11
- Days with storms
- 0
Coldest, snow
- AugustSnow18 rainy days10 snowy daysHigh3°Low-3°ColdAugustSnow
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 351 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 10
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- SeptemberSnow19 rainy days9 snowy daysHigh4°Low-2°SpringSeptemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 473 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 9
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- OctoberRain20 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh7°Low0°ChangeableOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 443 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Changeable
- NovemberRain19 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low3°Warming upNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 455 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Warming up
- DecemberRain21 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Summer startsDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 431 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Summer starts
Average daily high and low in Christchurch, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in South Island
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 86%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 91%
South Island
12:55 PM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today12°7°91%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 91%.
- Wed12°6°98%Wednesday: Rain. High 12°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Thu13°5°65%Thursday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Fri13°7°100%Friday: Rain. High 13°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat15°5°22%Saturday: Fog. High 15°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Sun14°7°50%Sunday: Fog. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 50%.
- Mon10°6°78%Monday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 78%.
Updated 10:17 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.778 NZD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Queenstownabout 1.5 hours by flight from ChristchurchAdventure and lake town, a base for the south.Read the guide
- Fiordlandabout 2 hours by car from Queenstown to Te AnauSounds, rainforest and Great Walks.Read the guide
- Marlborough and Nelsonabout 3.5 hours by ferry from WellingtonThe sunny north of the island.Read the guide
Before you go to South Island
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Rules for South Island, checked
- Interislander lists a sailing time of 3.5 hours between Wellington and Picton; check the daily schedule for your crossing.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
All South Island guides
How toMilford Sound from Queenstown: coach, drive or fly in 2026
ItineraryQueenstown and Wānaka in 5 days: Arrowtown, Glenorchy, Crown RangeHead to headBest time to visit Milford Sound: seasons, rain and the roadHow toMilford Road driving guide: Te Anau to Milford SoundHead to headQueenstown or Wānaka: which town should you choose?Where to stayWhere to stay in Queenstown and Wānaka: five bases comparedPlan around South Island
Both islands, entry rules and the best months
Read the guideFiordlandMilford Sound and Great Walks
Read the guideWestland Tai PoutiniFranz Josef, Fox and Lake Matheson
Read the guideMarlborough and NelsonFerry arrival and the Sounds
Read the guideQueenstown and WānakaSouthern Lakes base towns, ski fields and the road to Milford.
Read the guideChristchurchThe main South Island gateway and the start of the TranzAlpine.
Read the guideDunedinOtago Peninsula wildlife and the road down to Fiordland.
Read the guideAbel TasmanCoastal track, kayaking and water taxis at the top of the island.
Read the guideSouth Island FAQ
How many days do you need in the South Island?
At least 10 days for a loop that includes Queenstown, Fiordland and the glaciers. With 5 to 7 days, pick one region rather than racing between them.
Should I start in Christchurch or Queenstown?
Start in Christchurch if you want a loop through Arthurs Pass and the West Coast, or in Queenstown if you want the Southern Lakes first. Flying in and out of different airports avoids backtracking.
Do I need a car in the South Island?
For most routes, yes. Public transport links the main towns, but a car makes it easier to reach trailheads and viewpoints.
Is the ferry from Wellington worth it?
It is worth it with a vehicle, since the sailing time is 3.5 hours. Without a car, a flight to Christchurch or Queenstown may suit you better.
What is the best time to visit the South Island?
Summer is the warmest and busiest period, while the shoulder months have fewer crowds. Winter suits skiing but closes some tracks.