South Island Travelling Guide

 

New Zealand's South Island is the larger of the two islands of the country. 

It spans a distance of 150,437 square kilometres and is renowned for its mountain ranges, rolling hills, wide spacious plains, beautiful native bush and untamed rivers.

 

The South Island consists of eight main cities situated in 7 regions, each containing a multitude of towns within them and each encapsulatng their own piece of New Zealand culture. 

 

As Māori mythology tells, the North and South Islands of New Zealand were pulled out of the water by Māui, a polynesian demigod. It is said that Māui and his brothers were fishing from their canoe (the South Island) when Māui caught a large fish and pulled it from the sea. While Māui was not looking his brothers fought over the fish and hacked at it. The large fish became the North Island; Te Ika-a-Māui (The Fish of Māui). It is said that Māui's brothers actions when hacking at the large fish caused the forming of the mountains and valleys, some of our beautiful country's most prominent landmarks.

 

Below are links to the regions sights within the South Island.  Choose the region you would like to view by clicking on the title and image associated.