North Island vs South Island, New Zealand

Travelled By

Brucini

North Island vs South Island, New Zealand

Lonely Planet have announced they are releasing their first guidebook that only features the South Island of New Zealand. Perhaps it has been a long time coming.

Sky Tower, Auckland. Photo by CharlesLam http://www.flickr.com/photos/kclama

The iconic Sky Tower in Auckland

Travellers often only have time for one Island when visiting New Zealand. They have either left themselves too little time or just run out of time because they are having too good a time on one or the other island.

There are also more cheap flights than ever flying directly into Christchurch and Queenstown from Australia because of the increased airline competition. This allows people to do short breaks to the South Island where as they once would choose the cheaper flights to Auckland.

When you meet people who are going to New Zealand and you tell them that you’ve been there, the first question most people ask is: what’s better, the North or South Island?

The easy answer is they are like apples and oranges. The better answer is give yourself enough time to see both. Another way to look at it is to consider what interests you more. Here are some reasons parochial North and South Island residents might explain why they live where they do.

5 reasons why the North Island is the best:

The beaches and surf are better and the water is warmer
There’s more Maori culture to experience
There are more hot pools and geothermal activity to see here
Sky Tower and Auckland Harbour Bridge - Experience two of the largest man made structures in NZ
The Bay of Islands…thats reason in itself to visit the North Island

5 reasons why the South Island is the best:

The North Island only has 4 serious mountains. The South Island has the Southern Alps which stretches for the length of the Island.
There are less people living here, which means more open spaces all to yourself.
T
Tramping in the South Island

he most scenic ski fields, and the most diverse club fields are in the south.
Queenstown - the adventure capital of the world.
The share diversity of nature, displayed in all its glory from the Sounds at the tip of the South Island to the Fiords at the bottom of the South Island.

Your turn:

Which do you think is best and why?

Photos from:

Sky Tower: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kclama

Tell the world!

Comments

lelelele says:

can someone tell me the strengths and weeknesses of new zealand? plz :)

2 years ago
Nihoan says:

Been living in New Zealand for two years now, and I've seen a good chunk of it. If you're making the trip for the first time, you should try and see a little of both, as they are vastly different.That being said, you should consider what you want to be able to do while you're here. If you want to see the great outdoors and the breathtaking scenery of Aotearoa, then don't bother leaving Auckland airport and head straight for the South Island. Excepting maybe downtown CHCH, you won't find any spot on that island that you can't climb on top of and get a fantastic view. It won't really matter where you decide to base out of, as the tramping is terrific everywhere you go. However, if you want a more diverse vacation and don't care to spend it all covered in sunscreen and mozzie repellant, you'll have a much greater range on the North Island. Beaches, wineries, thermal pools, shopping, cultural activities and more are far more accessible up North, and you can still go hike one of those four mountains if you feel the need! Tickets are cheap now, so get booking!

3 years ago

Celine says:

We are planning to visit New Zealand south island. We are impressed with the New Zealand scenic view. When will be the best time to visit New Zealand south island with self drive tour? If we go on Christmas period, what will be the temperature like and is there a lot of raining? Is the scenery view on late December awesome? Many shops are closing that period of time? Appreciate your advice then.

4 months ago
Dawnrichard says:

if you need to go to new-zealand book your ticket from farebuzz.com

6 months ago
emigrating to new zealand says:

I had visited New zealand last year & i had traveled to both of the islands.I think both of the islands are beautiful & have there own beauty some beautiful places are there in South island but not in North islands & some beautiful places are in North island not in South island.So it is wrong to say that one island is more beautiful beautiful than other.

[url=http://www.globalvisas.net.au/new-zealand-visa]emigrating to new zealand[/url]

6 months ago
emigrating to new zealand says:

I had visited New zealand last year & i had traveled to both of the islands.I think both of the islands are beautiful & have there own beauty some beautiful places are there in South island but not in North islands & some beautiful places are in North island not in South island.So it is wrong to say that one island is more beautiful beautiful than other.

<a href="http://www.globalvisas.net.au/new-zealand-visa">emigrating to new zealand</a>

6 months ago
debyac says:

We are planning 14 day trip to New Zealand focusing on the South Island. Doubtful Sound, Banks Peninsula, West coast, and Abel Tasman and Marlborough Sounds but want to spend some time on North Island. Which has better swimming beaches, Northland or Coromandel or something even close to Auckland?

10 months ago
dan says:

at least 4 weeks - 6 is better (4 in south island, 2 in north)

1 year ago
punky pom says:

Ok so how long would we need to see both islands?

2 years ago