North of the South Island new Zealand

Mount Cook's way. Rare Takahe on Kapiti Island. A Maori performer in Mitai Village, Rotorua, North Island.

Southern Island - Nelson, Christchurch, Christchurch

A cookie is used to help us deliver a better user experience on this website. Read our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy to learn how to administer your cookie. Here towers of the alpine mountains come together with tranquil tones and jagged shorelines blend with vast flatlands. Let's not neglect the spine of the island - the most down-to-earth natives you will ever encounter.

northern island

Well, New Zealand. A backpacker knows it's full of lambs, renowned for wacky things like voluntarily thrown away from a 134m high deck at the end of a cable, incredibly breathtaking landscapes and that, well, it's a little behind the time ( you can really go a mile without seeing homes or crowds - or finding a sign on your phone).

Do you know how long a body of sea is between the two parts of New Zealand? The Cook Strait means that there is a three and a half hours boat trip between the North Island and the South Island (or of course you can choose the faster variant and choose to go between the two). To say that the two archipelagos are the same is boring...so here's a summary of what to look forward to from both north and south, and basically what you should fill your rucksacks to and set out on the longest way (warning: New Zealand for backpack tourists is not inexpensive. But it's SO valuable).

Perhaps in the end we will have more imagination of who will win in the discussion "Which island is better"...? The Lord of the Rings, Mounds, Highlands, Hills, Highlands and, as you have it, more Highlands, the busy Auckland waterside promenade, the scenic Northland and the capitol - winding, artistic Wellington. Hour-long observation of dolphins, hikes along the beaches and waterfalls, sandboarding in the dune north of Paihia's island cove.

One of the most unbelievable experiences is to kayak in stingray caverns, a warm sandy area ( where you can drill a hole in the sandy bottom of cooking warm waters for bathing) right next to it, the possibility to see seal and even orca. Rafting in jets, a huge sea for exploring and fishing, nearby thermal spring (just hoist up and ride in a stream heated by thermal activities).

19.4km hiking on frozen mountainsides, the fascinating Emerald Lakes for a nearby Picnic, kilometre-long vistas over Lake Taupo, while you descend a vulcano on a cabin trail. Cityscapes from the top of Mt Eden (a resting volcano), ferries to Waiheke Island, fantastic water front bar overlooking the Auckland Harbour Bridge (and Bungy).

Queenstown, the world's first (and third largest) bungee jumping, frugal and breathtaking seaside cruises, the popular seaside resort of Queenstown and the nearby skiing areas and Fiordland. Wonderful strolls to nature attractions such as pancake cliffs, top surf sites and long, twisty coast rides with distant mountain scenery. Hiking and canoeing in the clear waters of Abel Tasman Nationalpark, riverside cruises, equestrian trips along the beaches.

Unbelievable for those looking for whales (humpback whales go through here), floating with up to 900 dark porpoises in the wilderness and coast hikes with seals (they are seriously curious). The busy university city of Dunedin with the most steep road in the whole wide open country, a cocoa plant and an impressive animal population. Enjoy helicopter racing, admire the amazing colors of the lakeshore, busy après-ski pubs on the lakeshore.

One of the seven wonder worlds, with some of the world's highest falls plunging into the oceans, kilometres of fjord-covered coastlines, immense mirror pools and incalculable ice dales at the entrance, deserves it so much. Come and see us in winters and there is a genuine skiing area, comfortable bar with full dance floors and dance on the oops.

Yes, backpacking deal for beverages means fantastic apres-ski, while in summers folks have a giant sunbathing pond, water sports and plenty of opportunities for adventure all year round. Though the South Island is hilly and beautiful, what about the overall picture?

North Island probably will. Ninety Mile Beach to the north, the gentle slopes of the luxuriant greens around Hobbiton and down to the lofty Mt Doom.