South Island Tours and Vacation Packages

Canterbury, a flat, broad plain, borders the Southern Alps. Its capital, Christchurch, is the South Island's largest city with a population of over 330,000. Christchurch is New Zealand's "Garden City” full of many beautiful parks and reserves. Punting along the Avon River, through the inner city is a popular way to experience the distinctively English character of the city on New Zealand tours.

North of Christchurch, Hanmer Springs is a serene alpine thermal resort set in a natural wonderland, where you can relax in the hot mineral waters or walk the trails through plantation forests planted early in the century. Other activities include bungee jumping, mountain biking, jet boating, rafting, horseback riding, golf, and skiing.

Just over the hills from Christchurch, on one of the many harbors that indent the Banks Peninsula, is the port of Lyttelton, where Canterbury's first settlers landed. Also on the Banks Peninsula, Akaroa, once a French settlement, still has French street signs and a charming Gaelic ambiance, along with quaint cottages, an excellent folk museum, French restaurants and a marvellous cheese factory.

Mount Hutt, 56 miles/90 km southwest of Christchurch, is one of the most popular ski fields in New Zealand. International competitions are staged here each year. The ski season at Mount Hutt is open from May to October. At the base of Mount Hutt lies the small country town of Methven, which in winter becomes a lively resort for one of New Zealand's top ski fields.

The alpine village of Arthur's Pass is a two-hour drive from Christchurch. Nestled in the foothills of the Southern Alps, it is surrounded by the spectacular Arthur's Pass National Park, popular for climbing, hiking, short walks, hunting and fishing. A great way to see this area is by taking the TranzAlpine.

The road from Christchurch to Mount Cook passes through a land of lakes, vast open spaces and golden, tussock-covered hills that roll toward the Southern Alps. On the way, you pass by the milky-blue, glacial lakes of Pukaki and Tekapo. Located on the shores of Lake Tekapo, the lonely little stone Church of the Good Shepherd has a spectacular view of Mount Cook, framed by the altar window. Mount Cook (12,349 ft), towers above the massive, snow-clad peaks that make up Mount Cook National Park. On one side of Mount Cook are the mighty Tasman Glacier, a 19-mile giant and one of the longest outside of the Himalayas. Spectacular ski plane flights open up this majestic world to everyone. All sorts of ski options are available, including heli-skiing and ski touring. Glorious mountain walks and climbing expeditions are geared to suit every degree of fitness, and guides are available. A range of accommodations is available including a hotel, chalets, a youth hostel and a campground.

Queenstown lies beside Lake Wakatipu at the foot of The Remarkables mountain range. It is the South Island's most popular resort and the base for excursions into the surrounding mountains and nearby fiords, including Milford Sound. In winter, Queenstown is New Zealand's main skiing destination, and in summer even larger numbers of visitors come to take part in outdoor activities ranging from trout fishing to paragliding, and white-water rafting to bungee jumping on a New Zealand vacation. The town is compact enough to get around on foot, with courtesy vehicles, buses or taxis available to take you to outlying attractions. Queenstown has more than 100 restaurants, plenty of entertainment, accommodations to suit all tastes, and great shopping.

Wanaka, surrounded by majestic mountains lies on the shores of the glacial-formed Lake Wanaka. The township is in some respects a quieter, more relaxed version of Queenstown, with a range of accommodations, from a top-class resort to motor lodges and campgrounds. The town also has a superb selection of restaurants and cafes. Rising beyond the lake, magnificent Mount Aspiring, the focal point of Mount Aspiring National Park is a favourite with hikers. Wanaka township sits at the base of the Treble Cone ski area, a favourite with snowboarders. Cardrona ski area is situated on the Crown Range between Wanaka and Queenstown and is an ideal ski field for families.

Covering nearly three million acres, wet, wild, rugged and remote, Fiordland is one of the largest national parks in the world. A World Heritage Site, this is nature on a grand scale. Protected by its isolation, some of New Zealand's rarest birds are found here, as well as some of the country's best-known hiking tracks on New Zealand tours.

Te Anau, an attractive resort on the shores of Lake Te Anau, is the starting point for the Fiordland National Park and its many outdoor activities. Sometimes referred to as the "walking capital of the world" Te Anau acquired this reputation from the Milford, Kepler, Routeburn, Greenstone, Hollyford and Dusky Tracks. Its accommodations range from four-star hotels and motels to backpacker hostels, campgrounds and farm stay. It also has fine restaurants serving the specialties of the region: lobster, venison and fresh fish.

Milford Sound is the most accessible and best known of the glacier-cut fiords. Lined with mountain peaks that rise sharply to heights of 7,000 feet, the most famous of which is Mitre Peak. Lush rainforest and majestic waterfalls abound. Wildlife includes the Fiordland Crested Penguin, fur seals and dolphins.

The South Island's second-largest city and the commercial center of Otago are Dunedin, a gracious, distinctive city of grand 19th-century buildings and beautiful gardens. Dunedin is a city of culture and learning, distinguished by libraries, museums, parks, churches, and New Zealand's first university. Bearing the Gaelic form of the name Edinburgh, Dunedin was settled by Scots and made prosperous by the Otago gold rushes of the 1860s. Dunedin's Victorian character is preserved in its many fine stone buildings.

The Otago Peninsula, only 15 minutes from downtown, has an abundance of wildlife, from seabirds, fur seals and the rare and endangered yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho). At the end of the peninsula on Taiaroa Head, the mighty albatross glides effortlessly on the updrafts. Nowhere else in the world does this, the largest of the world's seabirds, breed within such easy viewing access.

In Northern Otago, the town of Oamaru was also built from the wealth that came out of the Otago goldfields. In addition to its grand, stone Victorian buildings and fine gardens, it is noted for the two species of penguins that inhabit its shores. Farther up the coast a unique geological phenomenon, Moeraki Boulders look as if giants have scattered enormous toy balls on the beach.

Central Otago was used during the gold rush days of the 1860s by thousands of miners. Along the Goldfields' Heritage Highway, the road runs through the quaint villages of Clyde, Lawrence, St. Bathans and Naseby. Alexandra is the main town on the mighty Clutha River. Clyde and Cromwell are also ideal to explore on a New Zealand vacation.

Southland is a region of lush green farmlands, rainforests, spectacular coastal scenery, small towns and the longest daylight hours in the country. Its rivers and streams and lakes are filled with sizable trout, and fishing here is a way of life. The largest urban center, Invercargill is New Zealand's southernmost city. East of Invercargill on the Southern Scenic Highway from Dunedin, the Catlins Forest Park offers some great walks and magnificent coastal scenery.

Unspoiled in its isolation, Stewart Island is like stepping back in time. Reached by catamaran, aeroplane or ferry across Foveaux Strait, this is the ultimate spot for anyone seeking peace and tranquillity. Here too are superb bush walks and great launch cruises in some of the most beautiful of New Zealand's coastal scenery. Bird watchers will find the island richly rewarding, and you might even spot a kiwi in its natural environment. Activities include saltwater fishing, sea kayaking, and hiking on trails provided with huts. There is comfortable accommodation at Halfmoon Bay on New Zealand tours.