New Zealand South Island travel guide

The same stunning fjords and snow-dusted mountains that co-starred in the Lord of the Rings are located here, making the South Island a haven for extreme-sport fans and anglers, with thousand-foot bungee jumps and ten-pound speckled trout. The steep, angular terrain of Banks Peninsula and the vineyards of the Canterbury Plain are some of the most popular attractions, but the Southern region is also an epicentre of New World wine and cuisine. See here for more travel information and New Zealand accommodation…

Sights and places to see in New Zealand’s South Island

Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island and has an air of gentility and a feel of a traditional English university town, with its neo-Gothic architecture and gently winding river. A lively melting pot of cultures, with a continental café scene, Christchurch also has a contemporary face.

In recent years it has acquired a more youthful, bohemian edge, with an abundance of lively bars and restaurants, the emergence of underground nightlife and an expanse of the visual arts, theatre, music and street entertainment.

The Pacific Ocean suburbs of New Brighton and Sumner, boasting excellent beaches, balance these urban pursuits. The city is within a two-hour drive of several good ski fields to the west, therefore a day on the pistes can be combined with an evening in one of Christchurch’s many bars

Queenstown is the country's main centre for adventure sports is set beside the beautiful, deep-blue Lake Wakatipu and hemmed in by craggy mountains. There has in recent years been a marked increase the number of shopping, eating and drinking options.

The most prominent of the danger sports is undoubtedly bungee jumping and here you find four of the worlds most gloriously scenic bungee sites. If that doesn’t pump enough adrenaline through you, perhaps whitewater rafting and jet boating on the Shotover River, or a helicopter flight into the dilapidated former gold workings of Skippers Canyon will be enough to persuade you to settle for a more relaxing option.

A lake cruise would be a good alternative, or a gondola ride to Bob’s Peak that will reward you with magnificent views over Queenstown and The Remarkables range.

For the budding vintners, there is a choice of wine tours around some of the world's most southerly wineries.

Weather, flight and travel information in and around New Zealand

The weather here is never to miserable that it should deter you from going. The warmer months are November through to April and they are also the busiest.

There are currently seven international airports so you can easily choose the best to suit your travel requirements. New Zealand is quite compact making it easy to get around but some domestic flights offer you some amazing opportunities for a bird’s-eye view over the mountains and volcanoes. There is a extensive bus network by the country’s largest operator, InterCity that serves both of the north and south islands. There are some train routes that are somewhat faster and they are modern and comfortable. Travelling by car or campervan is recommended as the roads are good and well sigh posted. New Zealanders also drive on the left.

Money; £1 = 2.63 New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

Time; GMT/UTC +12

Telephone; 00 or + 64

Last updated; March, 09