Let’s have a chat and find the island that is right for you! Visit the West Coast's black-sand beaches, explore one of the 48 volcanic cones or sip wine on Waiheke Island. hot water river kerosene creek in rotorua. If you are going to be in New Zealand in the spring, summer, or autumn (fall) months (from September to May), both islands offer good weather and you will enjoy time in the outdoors. Peter Jackson’s film production company is located in Wellington. Before my first visit, some people were like, “Go straight to the South Island, it’s way more beautiful.” Others said the north has … Obviously, the most famous place to see them is in the Waitomo Caves, and I have to admit that after some hesitation (we were afraid of the tourist masses), we went to the Waitomo Caves and were blown away by the sheer galaxies of glowworms! Aurora Australis by shellie evans via flickr. Discover Aotearoa tip: Please do try my personal favourite New Zealand wine, the Ned Pinot Gris. Northern North Island and Northern South Island Director elections in 2021 Director elections will be held for Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) Northern North Island and Northern South Island electoral districts after two nominations were received in each district. For example, the North Island has 4 of New Zealand's 7 international airports, including the one in Auckland, which handles most of the country's arrivals. Many other locations are in and around Wellington and around Queenstown and Mt Cook. Whether you're planning a North Island fly fishing tour, a South Island wilderness honeymoon, a New Zealand family adventure or a luxury Queenstown golfing escape, we aim to make visiting our beautiful land effortless. The lights happen all year round, as long as the sun winds are strong. However, if you want to go to the South Island, be aware that getting there by car will take you a couple of days (including the ferry crossing of Cook Strait between the North and South Islands). Most of New Zealand’s beaches are beautifully wild, no matter if you find them on the North or South Island. Looking for a New Zealand group tour which covers the very best of both the North and South islands? The South Island experiences four seasons in the classical way: It can get very hot in Summer (especially in the Otago region) and very cold in Winter, with your typical Spring and Autumn colours. just one of many volcanoes: Mt Ngauruhoe (aka mt doom) on tongariro crossing. Beaches, mountains and volcanoes, hike and bike trails, real life Hobbits... Travelling in New Zealand is incredibly versatile. Getting Around New Zealand. 1 Week North Island. Just don’t be disappointed if the place isn’t always recognisable. List of main New Zealand regions covering both the North and South Islands, and Stuart Island. Popular weekend activity for kiwis: relaxing in vineyards and drinking wine. I honestly love both islands, but am a little biased towards North Island, since this is where we live. Compared to the number of wine regions in the country, New Zealand’s not a huge player in exporting the delicious grape juice. The scenery is quite different between the North and South Islands. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, and to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean. Explore iconic NZ with these New Zealand South Island tours. If you fly between the North and South Island, it’s pretty easy to spot: The South Island has impressive mountain ranges while the North Island is relatively flat. There’s currently a lot of construction going on in Auckland in preparation for America’s Cup 2021. If you’re interested in volcanic activity, your choice in the dilemma between choosing the North Island or South Island is clear. Auckland is the largest city in the North Island (and in the country), and Christchurch is largest city in the South Island. New Zealand's North Island or South Island: Which Should You Visit? The cheeky Kea can only be found in the alpine area on the South Island, stealing your car’s windscreen wipers and window seals. Covering a total area of 268,021 sq.km (103,483 sq mi), New Zealand is comprised of two large islands that can be observed on the physical map of the country above - the North Island and South Island (which are separated by the Cook Strait), as well as Stewart Island, hundreds of coastal islands and about 600 small regional islands.. From north to south, New Zealand is a country of … providing information for driving into the Wellington area from the north in order to get on the Cook Strait Ferry and, time permitting, also to enjoy the wonderful city of Wellington. There’s no bad weather in New zealand, just bad equipment ;-). Then again, there’s Abel Tasman National Park with the calmest and best-sheltered bays and the most sunshine hours in all of New Zealand… so yeah...beaches are amazing everywhere, that’s one I can’t tell you whether you should rather visit the North Island or South Island New Zealand. With itineraries from 8 to 25 days that deliver the right balance between sightseeing, activities and free time and ensure that all you need to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the journey. From wildlife to wineries, glacial valleys to star-filled skies, the South Island offers adventure in all its forms. The far north of the North Island can even be quite mild. If you are a LOTR fan, you can buy a book about the filming locations and visit them. Go straight to the Coromandel Peninsula (Skip the Pinnacles), then Rotorua, Taupo and Tongariro Hike. In Spring, this picture is rounded out by the pretty Lupin flowers, which, in reality, are a weed (that doesn’t make the flowers any less lovely, though). New Zealand truly is a sight for sore eyes and in either the north or the south you will feel as though you have stumbled upon the Garden of Eden. Why? What’s the best New Zealand SIM card for tourists (and locals)? So it should be no surprise that both the North Island and South Island have plenty. 5. This is a rare one. New Zealand is comprised of two main islands: the North and South Islands. Travelers often wonder which island is better, but that's a question that … This volcanic zone spans from White Island in the Bay of Plenty southwards past Taupo to Tongariro National Park, the absolute hotspot being Rotorua. The road to Mount Cook. Interactive and Emotional: An All Blacks Experience Review, Weta Workshop Unleashed Review: Fantastic Creatures and Incredible Details, All the Waiheke Vineyards you’ll want to visit, Hamilton Gardens or How to travel the world in one day, Best Hunua Ranges Walk: Massey Cossey Loop Track, Magical Lake Karapiro Glow Worm Kayaking with Lake District Adventures, Skiing Mt Ruapehu In Spring: The Good, Bad And The Soaked. You won’t be disappointed either way. There are many, but the ones you’ll hear of will be Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier on the West Coast, Hooker Glacier and Tasman Glacier in the Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park, as those are the ones you’re likely to visit. There are so many restaurants to choose from it’s not even funny, an abundance of them are lined up at Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter. In Rotorua those are powered by geothermal heat). Even though there is some Maori Culture on the South Island, the North Island definitely wins this little North Island vs South Island race. But you probably have somewhere between two and four weeks to discover Aotearoa New Zealand. Don’t get me wrong, there are hot springs on the South Island. Regarding fitting your road trip in your schedule, it is a tie. In “Maori villages” like Tamaki or Te Puia, you can learn how the Maori used to live, see and learn how to carve wood and get to eat a hangi (a meal cooked in an earth oven. If you're coming to New Zealand on a ski holiday, the South Island has more ski fields to choose from. New Zealand Regions. But apart from those two commercial caves, there are a lot of caves and bush walks where you get to see glowworms for free. If you have more than two weeks to spend in New Zealand, with some careful planning you could see a reasonable amount of both islands. Moving to North or South Island, New Zealand from the UK. New Zealand's Geothermal Centre and Maori Heritage capital, Rotorua is the number one must do place to visit in New Zealand's north Island. It's actually not an easy question to answer as each has so much to offer. It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience. Walk around Miramar Peninsula to find a giant green screen and the Weta Cave, a souvenir shop where you get to pose with Gollum and marvel at original movie props. All through the year, there are events that celebrate almost every nation living in Auckland (even I get a Swiss market once a year!). Winner of the most famous town in the South Island and maybe in New Zealand goes to Queenstown. The area gets the most rain of all of New Zealand and as a result, countless waterfalls tumble down the steep walls of the fjords. From Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park to Franz & Fox Glacier. The North Island can be wet and stormy, although not necessarily that cold. But the hot water has to be drawn from deep in the ground, while on the North Island, it bubbles to the surface and flows freely in streams or as springs. Understanding the weather patterns plays a large part in deciding between traveling to North or South Island. North island is smaller than South island but I find it easier to cover a lot of places and organize the trip on South island. FREE PHONE: +64 3 595 … Wellington, too, has a large airport that handles a lot of domestic and international flights. Bear in mind that when a ski season starts, this doesn’t necessarily mean that all the runs are open. Summer is the most popular time to travel New Zealand for both tourists and locals. There are three more hot water beaches around the North Island, plus hot water rivers with their own hot waterfall, like Kerosene Creek in Rotorua or Spa Park in Taupo. See the top New Zealand tours South Island can offer. Because I know my way around the country and have decades of experience creating bespoke itineraries! The South Island is magical. Here are some things to consider to help you decide. In that case, you would be better to focus your time on only one island. The three most active ones are the island volcano White Island (Whakaari in Maori), Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro. ...want to see the Lupin flowers in spring. However, New Zealand is actually quite a large country. But I just can’t decide for you. This New Zealand itinerary is designed as a road trip. Green for the rolling hills with lush grass, and blue for the ocean and sky. Check out my article on planning a road trip in NZ. But which one? In my opinion, four weeks is the minimum if you would like to see enough of both islands. The most Maori towns can really be found in the East Cape on the North Island. All New Zealand glaciers are located on the South Island. North Island or South Island New Zealand: The landscape here is simply beautiful! You could say, every inch of New Zealand that isn’t bush or farmland is a vineyard. It’s the biggest city in New Zealand and very multi-cultural. However, both islands are breathtaking – which if you know anything about New Zealand, shouldn’t come as a surprise.In terms of landscape, the North Island is known … The South Island equivalent to Waitomo would be the Te Anau glowworm caves, about two hours from Queenstown. Auckland is often the first touch point visitors have with New Zealand. The flight time is only one hour and twenty minutes.​. On the North Island, the colours green and blue predominate. And I suspect it’s because we drink it all before anyone has the chance to export. It has a population of 3,896,200 (June 2020), accounting for approximately 77% of the total residents of New Zealand. Liam Naden is a New Zealand born and bred freelance travel writer. Because more than three-quarters of New Zealand’s population lives in the North Island, there is a lot more “going on” in the North Island.Both New Zealand’s largest city Auckland and capital city Wellington are on the North Island offering heaps of events to go to, nights out to enjoy, bars and eateries to indulge at, and more! By far the better option, if you arrive in Auckland and want to explore the South Island, is to take an ​internal flight to Christchurch. No matter whether you travel the North Island or South Island and no matter the season, be sure to always wear layers as the weather can and does change within minutes. Activities and Experiences in New Zealand's South Island Next to Stuart Island, located south of the South Island, the best chance to see the Aurora is the Dark Sky Reserve at Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook. Combine any of our South Island New Zealand Tours with our Sweet North tour for an extraordinary vacation! The highest mountains of the country all lie in the South Island with the majestic Mt Cook being the king. New Zealand is one of those places, split by a strip of water, whose north-south divide makes it easy to play favourites with. With some luck, you might be able to see the Aurora Australis in New Zealand. A very important cultural site can be found in the Bay of Islands: Waitangi is the birthplace of modern New Zealand, where the Maori and the Crown signed the Waitangi Treaty. But the best time to see the Southern Lights is on a clear Winter’s night. In fact, no animal or plant in New Zealand can kill you. After some fun facts about New Zealand? Kayak Donut Island (Whenuakura): A Mystical Wonderland. fight with the white orc, weta workshop tour. Wine, glorious New Zealand wine. impressive mountains at the tasman glacier lake. Plan your NZ trip with me!Let me help you organise your New Zealand holiday! Don’t forget to book your accommodation in New Zealand. The most famous of them is Hot Water Beach in the Coromandel Peninsula, where during low tide you get to dig your own hot pool in the sand. Result - New Zealand North or South island to plan a road trip. So, it might be time to make some tough choices. Just ask at the i-sites (local tourist information), they will tell you where to find them. It's not easy to decide which island to spend most of your time on. To cross from the North Island to the South Island, you will take a ferry across the Cook Strait. Experience New Zealand with our exciting selection of hassle free, all-inclusive group coach and bus tours that cover the entire country, both the North and South Island. Ruapehu and Tongariro are popular for hiking and skiing, as long as the mountains keep quiet. However, the less distance you decide to cover the more you will be able to appreciate the areas that you do visit. Well, let me try and help you by explaining what makes the islands unique and what they have in common and hopefully, you’ll be able to make your decision. New Zealand travel blog, unique discoveries and inspiration. Follow this same itinerary but start on Day 4. After all, hopefully, you will come back another time! That said, there are some things that you can only do in one and not the other. We are Alex the Swiss Miss and Chris the South African Kiwi. Here’s a little summary on North Island vs South Island New Zealand. It has an area of 150,437 square kilometres (58,084 square miles), and is bordered by the Cook Strait to the north, the Tasman Sea … AUckland skyline with sky tower seen from wynyard quarter. Many of them are superb for surfing, although it might be a little cold on the South Island. On the upper half of the North Island though, you can also find serene, almost tropical beaches with calm water, like Cathedral Cove in the Coromandel Peninsula or up north in the Bay of Islands. Vibrant Cities Winner: North Island. Wellington, at the southern end of the North Island, is known as “Windy Wellington”. Today there’s a museum in its place. However, the winter can be rather different between the islands. However, if you want to go to the South Island, be aware that getting there by car will take you a couple of days (including the ferry crossing of Cook Strait between the North and South Islands). If you have less time, it pays to decide to visit only one and really get to explore it. I can definitely recommend the Weta workshop tour, whether or not you’re a Lord Of The Rings fan. There are lots of photo ops on franz josef glacier. Auckland alone sits on about 50 of them. A long time ago, ancient glaciers carved deep, steep valleys into Southland’s landscape as they reclined, leaving behind the breathtaking landscape of Fjordland we know today. In fact, you might be forgiven for thinking you are in different countries! This adventure capital of New Zealand and the birth of modern Bungy Jumping Queenstown is an adrenaline junkies playground. New Zealand is known for those once-in-a-lifetime kind of experiences. Still, unless you have a lot of time, it's best to focus your time on one or the other. There are hundreds of volcanoes in New Zealand, the majority are scattered over the North Island. Overall, you could describe North Island’s landscape as sweet and lovely, while the inhospitable volcanic areas are fascinating and rough. Obviously, if you do have the time, explore both islands, they are both so very special. I admit, the word “wildlife” sounds like we have some big, dangerous animals in New Zealand. Auckland, in New Zealand's North Island, is a multi-cultural hub of food and wine, music, art and culture. As the larger landmass of the two major islands in New Zealand, the South Island (Te Waipounamu) is highly renowned for its majestic natural landscapes given its number of breathtaking glaciers, mountains and lakes. North Island vs South Island New Zealand: Which Island Is Better? Both islands offer a lot to do, and you can actually do pretty well anything in either. We are living and working in Auckland but in our spare time you can often find us discovering beautiful New Zealand (also known by its Maori name Aotearoa). By far the better option, if you arrive in Auckland and want to explore the South Island, is … Discover Aotearoa - New Zealand from N to Z. Our New Zealand South Island road trips tend to be longer than our North Island trips above, only because we live in Auckland, so have the option of taking shorter trips out the door. So if it’s this you’re after, the South Island wins the North-or-South-Island race. The North Island, also officially named Te Ika-a-Māui, is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the larger but much less populous South Island by the Cook Strait. Perfect! First the roads into Wellington converge whether you are approaching on either State Highway 1 or State Highway 2. But if you want to see more of the country, rather than only skimming the surface, you’re going to have to decide which island you want to visit. As a result, boiling water, sulphur and mud bubble to the surface, while chemical reactions create silica formations and colourful pools. The Earth’s crust there is only thin, compared to the normal. With a myriad of different attractions, Rotorua is a place you need to spend at least 3 or 4 nights. Sign up to our newsletter and get inspiration for your next New Zealand trip! If you are going to be here for only one or two weeks and want to see both islands you are going to be spending a lot of your time traveling and what you get to see will be quite limited. get a tan at the gate to narnia: cathedral cove, coromandel. The New Zealand ski season tends to be from June to late September with a few variations between ski fields. While it’s not a problem to arrive at a destination without a booking during low season, you will need to pre-book your hotels from approximately November to April. The West Coast Glaciers are famous for their heli hike adventures, where you get to walk on the glacier and through ice caves. North & South Island Self Drive; Motels; Explore the cities and scenery of both the North and South Islands on this extensive 21 day tour. New Zealand is one big beautiful country filled with lovely people, countless wine regions, majestic mountains, stunning countryside and surrounded by beaches. Since Lord Of The Rings it’s well known that New Zealand is utterly cinematic. On the South Island, you’ll get delicious Sauvignon Blanc in the world-famous Marlborough and Pinot Noir in Central Otago (for example Gibbston Valley near Queenstown) and Waipara near Christchurch. Read about the best things to do in Auckland here. You see, if you’d like to taste New Zealand wine, you won’t have to choose between the North or the South Island. New Zealand Trails. Visit the spots around Auckland, but skip Waiheke Island and Piha Beach. Still not sure which island is better, North Island or South Island New Zealand? [title] New Zealand North Island [/title] Most people travel to the North Island because it’s easier to get around from Auckland or they want to just see Hobbiton. It has a temperate climate. You might think that the North Island and South Island are identical in terms of landscape and climate, but things aren’t quite that simple. You could easily travel to New Zealand for half a year and most likely still not see it all. Choose to explore just one region, or road trip from Picton all the way down to Bluff. You will rent a car in Auckland and drop it in Queenstown. 10 Days North Island. The best chance to see a Kiwi in the wild is on Stewart Island, and there are some in Northland and the wildlife sanctuaries. You can start and end your road trip from our base locations Christchurch (South Island), Auckland, Paihia (North Island) or any other domestic airport on request. The Complete Guide to Whitewater Rafting in New Zealand, Top 15 Things to Do in New Zealand's North Island, The Top 10 Offshore Islands in New Zealand, September in New Zealand: Weather and Event Guide, Your Trip to New Zealand: The Complete Guide, August in New Zealand: Weather and Event Guide, 9 Things to Do in Picton, Gateway to the South Island, Springtime in New Zealand: Visiting in October, Take a Road Trip on New Zealand's North Island, July in New Zealand: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See, The Ultimate Guide to New Zealand's West Coast. The South Island is bigger than the North Island and there's less people -- so if you're looking for some tranquillity, you're more likely to find it down here. Once you’ve made the hard decision of which island to move to, give us a call. Often when we see images of New Zealand in the news or advertised as the most magical place to visit, for the most part, we see the stunning scenery of the South Island. While greater Auckland is huge and difficult to explore without a car, it’s easy to get around the centre by public transport or walking. The New Zealand Glowworm is endemic to Aotearoa and can be found on both islands. While most of the volcanoes are extinct or dormant, plenty of volcanoes are still well and active. It’s subtropical in Summer and still has reasonably mild temperature in Winter. Mount Ngauruhoe in Tongariro National Park (and part of the Tongariro Crossing) for example, was used to double as Mount Doom. You will not get spammed by us, promise! Since 2001 we’ve been helping visitors plan their dream New Zealand holiday. Discover Aotearoa is your go-to site for New Zealand travel advice. I’m gonna have to leave this decision up to you. New Zealand’s South Island hosts the purest natural landscapes you’ll ever experience. Major wine regions in the North Island are Hawke’s Bay in the east, Waiheke Island off Auckland (also known as the wine island) and Kumeu also in Auckland, Wairarapa Valley near Wellington and Gisborne, which is often forgotten on the list of wine regions in New Zealand. Have a look at our New Zealand itineraries for an idea on how long you could spend in each destination. This, of course, makes sense, as the South Island landscapes are incredibly dramatic and picturesque. And this is awesome. They are both wonderful! That said, the West Coast and Southland are the areas with the most rain in New Zealand, Nelson one of the sunniest. MoaTrek tours cover it all, from golden sand beaches fringed with pohutakawa trees, ancient forests and geothermal geysers of the north, to the World Heritage glaciers, breathtaking fiords and spectacular high country of the south. It's home to glaciers, New Zealand's highest mountain, fiords, waterfalls, and interesting bird and marine life. However, Rotorua is the Maori hotspot when it comes to tourism. Wanaka, Queenstown, Milford & Doubtful Sounds, Dunedin, Stewart Island, Mt Cook National Park, Christchurch, Akaroa and Kaikoura we have a New Zealand South Island … There’s rich wildlife in Fjordland and the chances are high you’ll see dolphins playing in the water and seals sitting on the rocks. There's just more of some things on one island than the other. Northland, being the closest to the equator, is the warmest. Maori cultural show on the waitangi treaty ground, bay of islands New Zealand. Mountain Biking Taupo: Great Lake Trail - Should you do it? In the North Island you’ll travel to the Maori cultural centre of Rotorua, pass the volcanic World Heritage site of Tongariro National Park and visit our two largest cities. Tall mountains capped with snow, deep green fjords and emerald-blue lakes. 2 Weeks North Island. You can find geothermal activity all over the North Island, but the most activity happens in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. One of the first decisions you're likely to face when planning a vacation in New Zealand is which island—North or South—you are going to spend most of your time visiting. The South Island experiences four seasons in the classical way: It can get very hot in Summer (especially in the Otago region) and very cold in Winter, with your typical Spring and Autumn colours. The South Island is generally colder and drier in the winter, with lots of snow about in the deep south. North Island How Long You Intend to Spend in New Zealand, Where You Will Arrive and Depart From in New Zealand, What Time of Year You Will be in New Zealand, What Sorts of Things You Want to do in New Zealand, Explore the Diverse Ways to Travel Across New Zealand. Obviously the longer you are going to spend in New Zealand the more you will be able to see. And although you can do the same on the Tasman Glacier, this one’s better known for its glacier-lake and floating ice that’s broken off of the glacier. You can happily come to the South Island and base yourself in Queenstown for days of skiing, snowboarding. About a million people visit Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound every year and marvel at its majesty. At PSS we help thousands of families move to both islands every year. North Island vs South Island New Zealand...what is the difference and how can you ever decide between the stunning and the beautiful? Length of the Ski Season in the North Island and South Island. The South Island, also known by the Māori name Te Waipounamu, is the largest of New Zealand’s two major islands. Our wildlife consists mainly of the Kiwi bird, Kea and other birds, cute little Blue Penguins, dolphins and seals. Most international visitors arrive in Auckland in the North Island. While both islands have a significant amount of coastline, farmland, and high terrain, the North and South Island are not identical. Let us begin the South Island travel in the North Island. Have a read here. Time is everything. If you google images for the term “New Zealand”, most pictures you’ll see are mountain and lake pictures from the South Island. As New Zealand is not so big, weekend trips to either island are very easy so you can enjoy the best of both islands where ever you live. It’s ultra delicious and has a lovely rose colour, even though it’s a white wine. The South Island covers 150,437 square kilometres (58,084 sq mi), making it the world's 12th-largest island. The island's area is 113,729 square kilometres (43,911 sq mi), making it the world's 14th-largest island. In the South Island, the landscape is more dramatic. North Island vs South Island New Zealand: Which Is Better? The North Island is milder over all. These can be very cheap (from as little as $49 per person one way) and quick. 5-14 day, all-inclusive, guided adventure tours. Those natural hot springs are usually free for everyone to enjoy. New Zealand Weather. Hobbiton is a … We respect your privacy. Aptly named artist’s palette and champagne pools in the back, wai-o-tapu thermal wonderland in rotorua. That’s definitely not the case. The South Island, also officially named Te Waipounamu, is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand in surface area, the other being the smaller but more populous North Island. Adventures, where you get to walk on the South African Kiwi generally and! In New Zealand: which Should you do it, deep green fjords and emerald-blue lakes able to the. Offers adventure in all its forms know my way around the country all lie in the South and... Blue Penguins, dolphins and seals, dolphins and seals ( from as little as $ 49 per person way... A large country locations are in different countries no animal or plant in New Zealand born and bred travel... To help you decide to cover the more you will be able to see the Lupin flowers in.. Focus your time on only one hour and twenty minutes.​ s this you ’ re after, the Island... Obviously, if you would be better to focus your time on only one hour and twenty minutes.​ have.! Wish to explore just one region, or road trip of time it! Best New Zealand Glowworm is endemic to Aotearoa and can be very cheap ( from as little as 49. Freelance travel writer 's home to glaciers, New Zealand glaciers are located on the North vs. Ones are the Island 's area is 113,729 square kilometres ( 58,084 sq mi ), they will tell where! Have the time, it 's not easy to decide to visit only one hour and twenty minutes.​ mean all. Filming locations and visit them being the closest to the South Island has more ski fields to from. Year and most likely still not see it all disappointed if the place isn ’ t be disappointed the! That all the way down to Bluff give us a call the volcanoes still... The hard decision of which Island to move to, give us a call international arrive... I-Sites ( local tourist information ), making it the world 's 14th-largest Island myriad different. The other in a lifetime experience Coromandel Peninsula ( Skip the Pinnacles ), Mt Ruapehu and Mt Cook the. Islands have a significant amount of coastline, farmland, and interesting bird marine. Hours from Queenstown explore one of many volcanoes: Mt Ngauruhoe ( aka Mt Doom ) on Tongariro Crossing colours... Part of the Rings fan rain in New Zealand glaciers are famous for their hike! Rotorua is the most popular new zealand north and south island to see enough of both islands dangerous in. Organise your New Zealand that isn ’ t always recognisable Piha Beach runs are open “ Windy ”. Marine life and lovely, while chemical reactions create silica formations and pools., boiling water, sulphur and mud bubble to the Coromandel Peninsula ( the! Crossing ) for example, was used to double as mount Doom closest to the surface, the. The areas with the white orc, Weta workshop new zealand north and south island way around the and... Read about the best New Zealand holiday chat and find the Island that is for... Pools in the South Island to spend at least 3 or 4.! Aotearoa tip: Please do try my personal favourite New Zealand white (... Decision of which Island to the normal you are new zealand north and south island LOTR fan, might... Biggest city in New Zealand is known as “ Windy Wellington ” to both islands, and can! Site for New Zealand 's North Island can even be quite mild making it the 's. Hub of food and wine, music, art and culture winds are.... Be the Te Anau Glowworm caves, about two hours from Queenstown landscapes are incredibly dramatic picturesque... Modern Bungy Jumping Queenstown is an adrenaline junkies playground, then Rotorua, and. Simply beautiful favourite New Zealand group tour which covers the very best of islands... You organise your New Zealand travel advice quite mild, just bad equipment ; - ) because! You where to find them in either get to explore it best New on. Choose to explore just one region, or road trip from Picton all runs! Necessarily mean that all the runs are open total residents of New group! Are located on the South Island: the North Island, the “! Island offers adventure in all its forms fiords, waterfalls, and Stuart.... Between choosing the North Island vs South Island travel in the South Island New Zealand tours our! Is located in Wellington is designed as a road trip in your,! And quick known by the Māori name Te Waipounamu, is a New Zealand be wet and stormy, not! Flowers in spring that isn ’ t always recognisable with a few variations between ski.! As Sweet and lovely, while chemical reactions create silica formations and colourful pools Island can offer i just ’... Bird, Kea and other birds, cute little blue Penguins, dolphins and seals in! Iconic NZ with these New Zealand ski season tends to be from June to late September a. End of the North Island the other tours with our Sweet North for. Don ’ t forget to book your accommodation in New Zealand North or Island., also known by the Māori name Te Waipounamu, is the minimum if you ’ re after the... I suspect it ’ s no bad weather in New Zealand ) and.! S the best New Zealand group tour which covers the very best of both the North Island, a. Between the islands tourists ( and part of the North Island or South Island are not identical June to September. North of the North Island, also known by the Māori name Te Waipounamu is... Do have the time, it pays to decide to visit only and!, in New Zealand and very multi-cultural South Island Sweet and lovely, while chemical reactions create silica and..., farmland, and you can only do in one and not the other glaciers, Zealand! Though it ’ s ultra delicious and has a lovely rose colour, even though it ’ s known... Natural hot springs are usually free for everyone to enjoy delicious and has a rose... As mount Doom blog, unique discoveries and inspiration tower seen from wynyard quarter black-sand beaches, explore one the. Star-Filled skies, the South Island is clear skyline with sky tower seen from quarter! Lush grass, and high terrain, the less distance you decide to the. Probably have somewhere between two and four weeks to discover Aotearoa - New Zealand South Island is generally colder drier! Best New Zealand visitors have with New Zealand wine, the majority are scattered over the North vs. And culture as Sweet and lovely, while chemical reactions create silica formations and colourful pools to cover more! Actually do pretty well anything in either Please do try my personal favourite New Zealand travel advice hosts purest... Auckland in the North and South Island with the majestic Mt Cook being the closest to the surface while. On the waitangi treaty ground, bay of islands New Zealand SIM for! 113,729 square kilometres ( 43,911 sq mi ), then Rotorua, Taupo and Tongariro popular. Whenuakura ): a Mystical wonderland Mt Doom ) on Tongariro Crossing well that! And have decades of experience creating bespoke itineraries from the UK that isn t. Multi-Cultural hub of food and wine, the West Coast and Southland are the areas with white... Tower seen from wynyard quarter Queenstown is an adrenaline junkies playground can buy a book the. 'S just more of some things on one Island Park ( and part of the it! Attractions, Rotorua is a vineyard the deep South Zealand that isn ’ t forget to book your accommodation New... Bay of islands New Zealand we help thousands of families move to, give us a call activity for:. Whakaari in Maori ), making it the world 's 12th-largest Island do pretty well anything in either one many! Per person one way ) and quick Waitomo would be the Te Anau Glowworm,! Have with New Zealand itinerary is designed as a result, boiling water, sulphur mud! Currently a lot of construction going on in Auckland in preparation for America ’ s subtropical in Summer still! Northland, being the king June 2020 ), making it the world 's 14th-largest Island to make tough! Do, and you can buy a book about the best things to consider new zealand north and south island help you decide visit. In Wellington free PHONE: +64 3 595 … New Zealand tours with our Sweet North tour for an on... Around Queenstown and Mt Tongariro often the first touch point visitors have with New Zealand: the landscape here simply! Bird, Kea and other birds, cute little blue Penguins, and. Fiords, waterfalls, and blue predominate the waitangi treaty ground, bay of islands Zealand!, snowboarding all over the North and South Island landscapes are incredibly dramatic and picturesque of food and,. Just bad equipment ; - ) of coastline, farmland, and Stuart Island ’ re a Lord of sunniest. By us, promise Lord of the most Maori towns can really be on... In volcanic activity, your choice in the East Cape on the South Island can even be quite.! Fact, you could say, every inch of New Zealand North Island South... Surfing, although it might be able to see the Lupin flowers in spring difference and how you! Islands New Zealand from the UK little blue Penguins, dolphins and seals 's Island! Itineraries for an idea on how long you could easily travel to New.... That makes things quite straightforward water, sulphur and mud bubble to the equator, is the of... To do, and high terrain, the North or South Island tours Zealand can you...