| South Island ((in)South Island (mid)Te Wai Pounamu) | |
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| On the slopes of Mount Cook | |
| Information | |
| Country |  New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Regional capital | Christchurch |
| Ocean | Peaceful |
| Sea | Tasman |
| Minimum altitude | 0 m |
| Maximum altitude | 3 724 m (Mount Cook) |
| Area | 150 737 km² |
| Population | 1 163 800 hab. (2019) |
| Density | 7,72 inhab./km² |
| Spindle | UTC 12 |
| Location | |
 43 ° 59 ′ 0 ″ S 170 ° 27 ′ 0 ″ E | |
| Touristic site | |
THE'south island of the New Zealand is characterized by wide open landscapes and a strong sense of freedom. It is relatively sparsely populated, especially outside of Christchurch and Dunedin, which are the great agglomerations of the east coast.
Divided in half from north to south by the mountain range called the Southern Alps (Southern Alps), the South Island is known for its snow-capped peaks, fjords, large beech forests, golden sandy beaches and wide and fertile plains. Unlike thenorth island, there are no volcanoes even if there are hot springs.
The South Island can be summed up simply to an infinite variety of sumptuous landscapes that we can best appreciate on foot, by bike, by kayak ...
Understand
The South Island is the larger of the two main islands, yet it is the least populated. It is dominated by a mountain range, the Southern Alps (Southern Alps), which affects the climate and the flora. Most of the national parks are located on this mountain range.
Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and Nelson are the main agglomerations.
Weather
The South Island is generally cooler than its northern sister, but is no less sunny. Nelson holds the sunshine record in New Zealand, and the temperature can reach over 30 ° C in summer. The weather is quite changeable. They say you can experience four seasons in one day. Coastlines generally have a milder climate than inland. Thus, the region of Central Otago is coldest in winter, but also hottest in summer.
Regions
The regions of the South Island are:
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Cities
The South Island, although less populated than the North Island, also offers some interesting towns. The best known, Christchurch was a city with a historic past and renowned English architecture and the second largest city in the country. Unfortunately, a series of severe earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 destroyed much of its historic center and ancient heritage. Located on the edge of the tectonic plate, it has become the symbol of the country's seismic activity, and its partial destruction is a trauma for the whole of New Zealand. The city is also an excellent home port for visiting the island. Arrival and departure of the roads that lead to Arthur Pass and to Lewis Pass, Christchurch is also a few hours from Kaikoura, of the Banks Peninsula and of Dunedin which is the other important locality of the island. Yes Christchurch is clearly under English influence, Dunedin is very attached to her Scottish identity. More secret and more austere, the city remains a good base for discovering the Southland, the Mac Kenzie Country, as well as'Otago Peninsula.Finally, Invercargill, a kind of pioneer locality located in the far south, does not seem to present any other advantages than being the starting point for theSteward Island. Note that it is the hometown of the hero of the film The Fastest Indian, played by Anthony hopkins.
- 1 Christchurch – The largest locality, currently under reconstruction after the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Nicknamed the "garden city", the city had one of the oldest architectural heritage in the country. But a series of very strong earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 destroyed many buildings, including the famous cathedral and killed more than a hundred. Following this disaster, a large-scale national and international mobilization seeks to revive the city bruised from its ashes. In addition to the reconstruction or consolidation of buildings that can be saved and the destruction of those considered dangerous, Christchurch is now seeing the emergence of an underground artistic movement seeking to breathe new life into the city. Christchurch is also the starting point for motorcycle tours in the South Island and flights to Antarctica.
- 2 Dunedin – Second largest city and very student-oriented.
- 3 Nelson – Quite cultural city for New Zealand standards. Mandatory crossing point for Golden Bay and Abel Tasman National Park.
- 4 Blenheim – Capital of the vineyard, close to the Malbourough Sounds.
- 5 Queenstown – Nestled in the mountains, this ancient city of gold diggers has found its revival in tourism. A good starting point for many hikes.
- 6 Wanaka – Queenstown's little sister, much quieter, smaller, but just as sumptuously located.
- 7 Picton – Mandatory passage for travelers wishing to cross the Cook Strait by Ferry. Two companies provide several round trips per day between Picton and Wellington.
- Alexandra and Cromwell – Will attract only lovers of pinot noir produced in the region.
- Ashburton and Timaru – In the heart of the agricultural plains of Canterbury, seasonal workers will perhaps stop there for a while, the others will go their way.
- 8 Invercargill – To the south, it's a must before setting sail for Stewart Island.
Other destinations
- 1 Golden bay – Through its isolation, it has become a refuge for people in search of an alternative life. There are splendid coastal landscapes there with the Farewell Spit and the Abel Tasman National Park. There is also access to the Kahurangi National Park which marks the foothills of the Southern Alps.
- Malbourough Sounds – It is a maze of fjords, islands and remote bays often accessible on foot or by boat.
- 2 Nelson Lakes National Park (Nelson Lakes National Park) – A national park less known than Arthur's Pass or the Fjordlands but which nevertheless hides magnificent mountainous landscapes.
- 3 Arthur's Pass – One of the three passes allowing you to cross the Southern Alps from east to west, it is the starting point for many hikes.
- 4 Banks Peninsula – Peninsula just south of Christchurch formed by two ancient volcanoes whose craters are now filled with seawater.
- 5 Aoraki – Aoraki / Mount Cook is New Zealand's highest point overlooking three glaciers. A pure paradise for lovers of mountainous landscapes.
- 6 The Catlins – Small, sparsely populated region where virgin forest meets the sea.
- Fjordlands – Winding glacial valleys, inaccessible fjords and immense lakes.
To go
By plane to Christchurch Where Queenstown. Otherwise, you will have to take the Wellington Ferry on the North Island which will drop you off at Picton.
Circulate
By car
Only the main axes and the roads of the very touristy corners are paved. To explore all of the island's secret gems, you won't have to be afraid of getting your vehicle dirty on the dirt roads. With a few exceptions, however, they are quite usable with a standard vehicle. No need to travel in an all-terrain vehicle.
By bike
The government is constantly creating new cycle paths in the most touristic places.
Hitchhiking
Even though New Zealanders are generous, it can be difficult to get a stop as the areas are isolated and the traffic light. On the other hand, there is no problem for the main axes and the very touristy regions.
Walk
The island is full of trails and chalets, so much so that it is possible for an experienced hiker to cover very great distances, sometimes without even crossing a road or a village. In particular, there is a long-distance hiking route that connects Picton, to the north, to Bluff, to the south, crossing the most beautiful national parks.
To speak
There are very few Maori on the South Island. The spoken language isEnglish.
To see
- Mountain landscapes – They are found everywhere.
- The fjords – Malbourough or Fjordlands.
- Animals – Whales in Kaikoura, penguins, sea lions and sea lions in the Southeast, keas in the mountains and the West Coast, dolphins in Curio Bay. For kiwis, it is better to go to theStewart Island.
- The great glacial lakes – The Tekapo and Pukaki lakes are a particular blue that is worth seeing.
Do
The beauty and variety of the wild spaces which are the main interest of the South Island are best appreciated on foot. The possibilities for long hikes or simple walks are endless, for all sporting levels and all budgets in all regions.
To buy
Eat
New Zealand is known primarily for these branded kiwis Zespry Where Zespry-Gold for the less acidic, whether fruit or even animals (even if they do not eat them). Do not forget about the mini-kiwis, the size of cherry tomatoes, which can be eaten without having to peel them. Then, local producers produce many kinds of cheeses, oils, honey, ice cream and others for the local and international market.
Among their cheeses, here are the most typical varieties: double cream, blue and cheddar. But the most surprising is undoubtedly the apricot Camembert. The most popular brand of cheese in major restaurants is that of Kapiti.
Next is the dried eel which is a staple food for the Maori people.
The barbecue during the Christmas holidays where you can taste tender lamb chops.
the hangi which is a traditional Polynesian cooking method consisting of an oven dug in the earth in which the food is steamed thanks to the heat given off by heated stones (generally to feed a lot of people).
the kumara which is a variety of sweet potato cultivated in New Zealand, often incorporated into current cooking recipes, and sometimes eaten in salted fries.
the paua(Haliotis iris) is New Zealand's most remarkable seashell. Close to the abalone of the North Pacific, it held a special place in the Maori regime. It is now very widespread and its meat is very popular for export. Its shell with iridescent reflections is widely used in Maori culture. It is used as an ornament (especially for the eyes of characters carved in wood) and jewelry, widely present in souvenir shops.
the Pavlova is a meringue dessert named after the Russian classical dancer Anna pavlova, who came on tour in the 1920s. The original recipe consists of meringue, plain whipped cream covered with fresh fruit. In New Zealand, the kiwi is an essential decorative element. It is the pastry specialty of the country and, for meringue lovers, the absolute must.
New Zealand is an island and enjoys ideal conditions for recreational, sport and commercial fishing. You also have to rely on its rivers. The South Island and the surroundings of Lake Taupo are world famous for their abundance of trout. At sea, the snapper is often at the end of the line. It can be cooked in many ways: in fillet, in fish'n chips or smoked. Smokehouses everywhere allow you to prepare the product of a great day of fishing in just a few minutes. Finally, the peach and fry of fry (whitebait) are specialties in the South Island.
The vegemite is the name of a strange blackish paste, made from extracts of yeasts, spices and vegetables. The taste is difficult to describe, very salty, very intense and, more or less, similar to the English Marmite. The product is very popular in Australia and New Zealand. The custom is that it is eaten spread in a thin layer on a buttered toast to soften the taste. It is sometimes used in cooking as a complement to spices, for example in the marinade of a barbecue. Thanks to its high salt concentration, the product can be stored for an extremely long time. But its main virtue is its high content of vitamin B.
As for drinks, there is alcohol where you may be asked for identification with each purchase regardless of your age, tea, coffee, wine (where the regions of Marlborough, Hawke's Bay and Gisborne dominate the country's wine industry) and beers, many of which are produced locally, especially in the South Island: Speights, Steinlager, Monteights and Macs & Tui for the best known (but many microbreweries offer their own brews and many other lesser known brands can be tasted across the country).
Have a drink / Go out
It's not the same at Christchurch since the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. However, the cities of Dunedin and Nelsonalthough smaller in size, are still quite alive. During the ski season, Queenstown is where the nightlife is the craziest.
There are two major wine regions on the South Island: Malbourough and Otago. The first, around Blenheim, is known for its sauvignon blanc, but does a bit of everything. The second, around the towns of Cromwell and Alexandra as well as in the valley of Gibbston, produced almost exclusively from Pinot Noir, which is reputed to be of better quality.
Security
The main danger on this island is embodied by a little creature that will make your trip a real ordeal: the sandfly (sand fly (Austrosimulium)). The bite of this kind of little gray fly causes a horrible itching that can last for several days. They arrive in organized groups during the day and are not afraid of repellents. However, there are two solutions: wear long sleeves and keep moving. They are found in all the wild regions of the island (in other words almost everywhere) and in particular near waterways.
Around
- 7 Stewart Island – It is accessed by ferry from Bluff in the far south.
