A quick guide to the South Island, New Zealand

One of my favourite destinations such a beautiful country.
I was lucky enough to have lived and worked Christchurch, Havelock and Nelson so have a real understanding of the people and the country.

1 Self-drive – hire a camper van or hire a car and stay in motels. Driving is super easy in NZ the roads a quiet and they drive on the same side of the road as the UK – same rules but drive in KM not miles.
2 Distance is greater than you think! Google will tell you it’s for example it’s a 1.5-hour drive! NO! Add at least an hour – DO NOT RUSH! Whilst the roads a quiet they are twisty and there are many sensational look out points. Round every corner is another amazing vista!
3 Self-drive – in a CLOCK Wise direction around the island. This enables you to be right by the coast and have the best and easiest ways to drop into viewing points.
4 Sand Flies – yep, they are ANNOYING! Worst on the west Coast but don’t miss out as its pretty easy to discourage them with some good repellent.
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1 Top of the South – Possibly one of my favourite areas as it’s the sunniest area of the SI.
Nelson - visit the wineries – they are just as good as Marlborough, have lunch at Moutere Hills winery it’s stunning! Visit the Nelson Saturday Market – so many artisan stalls selling unique Kiwi made crafts and street food. Try the Maori Fried bread!
KaiTeriTeri – gateway to the Abel Tasman walking route. Grab a water taxi and head to Anchorage for a lovely day walk.
Go over the Hill – this is what the locals say about going to Takaka the Gateway to Golden Bay – it’s a unique community. Lots of lovely gift shops with hand made jewellery and unique art. It has amazing beaches. Eco-Tours to Farewell Spit – to see the gannets.
Walk to Wharaiki beach its possibly one of the wildest beaches in NZ and my favourite, the sand dunes are stunning, you see seals playing in the inlets!
2 West Coast – rugged coastline.
Punakaiki Rocks also known as pancake rocks – nice little walk to see the waves crashing against the unusual rock formations with layers of rock hence the name pancake! Stay at the Scenic Punakiaki Hotel which overlooks the Tasman Sea and has stunning sunsets!
Hokitika – depending on timing make it for the wild food festival and try some real bush tucker! This is an old mining town with a lovely vibe and you can carve your own greenstone (jade) here.
Franz Josef – some lovey properties here to stay – I like the Rainforest Retreat – just beautiful and perfect place to stay after the MUST CLIMB Franz Josef glacier walk. Alternative take a flight over the glacier and some of these also land on the top!
3 The South
Queenstown – it’s all happening here! Amazing adventures to be had, original bungee, luge, jet boat, gondola, TSS Earnslaw, chic shops, fabulous Saturday Market and my favourite activity is kayaking down the dart River – full day trip – just brilliant! Finish the day with a pizza at Winnies! 4 The Middle
Aoraki/Mount Cook If you like mountains then this is THE PLACE! Highest mountain in the southern hemisphere. And glaciers! Walk the Hooker track over swing bridges to the foot of the glacier. Or take a ride on the lake up to the Tasman Glacier.
5 The East Coast
Christchurch – Riverside Market, Sumner beach, walking in the Port hills, the botanic gardens. The cafés here serve he best coffee and amazing ‘morning tea’ snacks.
Kaikoura – or translates as meal of Crayfish so you can imagine what the speciality is on offer here! Freshly caught. It‘s also WHALE town – you can go by boat, helicopter, or small plane. All of which I have tried and all of which I saw several whales and loads of dolphins! Pretty spectacular.
6 Marlborough – WINE!! This is just an amazing area – stay in Blenheim or Picton for some fabulous wine tours – even one where you can blend your own sauvignon its AMAZING!
Not only wine though!
The Sounds are stunning! Take a boat trip to Ships Cove and walk the Queen Charlotte Track is 72km so you need 3 nights stays in stunning hotels such as Punga Cove.
Or take the mail boat and call in at local homes in the sounds – when I did this, we had pigs swimming up to the boat at one property – it was so funny!

These are places and activities I recommend but there is so much more – Milford Sound, The Catlins, Stuart Island, Oamaru, all of which I can talk you through depending on the time you have available. I would recommend two weeks if possible but if you had three then I would add in the North Island too and go to the Coromandel or Bay of Islands.