Check out some of our New Zealand itineraries, small group tours or backpacker bus passes for ideas on how to get around New Zealand. If you're coming to New Zealand on a ski holiday, the South Island has more ski fields to choose from. If you're looking to experience New Zealand's famous geothermal activity, you'll want to travel the North Island. Regardless of which you choose, you're bound to have an incredible time. With all that in mind, here’s how the North and South islands of New Zealand compare to each other. Goway.com, Web Design & Development by Atomic Motion. The Southern Alps split New Zealand's South Island down the middle - these peaks are snow-capped throughout the year, and offer up heaps of photo opportunities and chances for getting up close and personal with some truly remarkable landscapes. If you want to experience native New Zealand Maori culture, you should travel the North Island. The cities of the North Island will be more expensive than the smaller centres on the South Island, but the many adventure activities on the South Island will balance out any costs. As the South Island is all about the natural landscape, it offers a bit wider options for activities. Vancouver Island leads in B.C. However, it’s hardly bereft of city life. 5. In terms of landscape, the North Island is known for its gorgeous coastline and geothermal hotspots. It’s also its capital, which means you’ll find the government buildings and major museums here, including the National Art Gallery and Museum of New Zealand. So, which is better - the North Island or the South Island? The South Island is more agricultural and rugged than the North Island, and thus, it doesn’t match up in terms of city life and culture on New Zealand travel. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Asia, Europe, and South America. Rotorua has all the hot springs and mud baths you could hope for, while places like the Waitomo Caves beg to be explored on spelunking tours. North Padre Island is an area in Corpus Christi,Nueces County,Texas with a population of 30,629. The Te Papa Tongarewa (National Museum) in Wellington charts the history of the country from the point of view of the Maori while the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute in Rotorua lets you engage with Maori culture first-hand. 1. Are you ready to spend 30 seconds in the Cook Islands? While both islands have a significant amount of coastline, farmland, and high terrain, the North and South Island are not identical. Good skiing, too The south island is the largest of all the islands, yet it has about half the population of the north island. If you're looking to get away from it all, you'll have more luck on the South Island. The New Zealand Cycle Trail network is a series of multi-day rides scattered about New Zealand. Meet our experts in travel and much more. 5. Both Islands are stunning, both cater well to travellers and both offer a huge range of scenery, activities, tours, hikes and things to do. There are 15,519 male residents living in North Padre Island and 15,110 female residents. Equipped with our guide to New Zealand’s North Island and South Island, you’ll know how to best approach this incredible nation. The 18 square mile island has a brilliant blend of luxury and quaint accommodations that includes Ocean & Beach Resort, East Bay Resort and the island’s only five star property – Sail Rock Resort. The islands include the Shags Rocks, Clerke Rocks, Black Rocks, South Georgia Island, South Sandwich Islands, and Bird Island. 4. The South Island takahē population in 2011-12 was approximately 276 birds, with ~110 in Fiordland, ~107 at restoration sites, 11 at captive display sites, and 48 at the captive breeding site. If you head even further southwest to the southwestern corner of the island, you’ll find picturesque Doubtful Sound. While both islands have a significant amount of coastline, farmland, and high terrain, the North and South Island are not identical. Fripp Island is a 6.546 sq mi (16.954 km²) barrier island located along the Atlantic coast of the lowcountry part of South Carolina.It is approximately 21 miles from Beaufort, 96 miles south of Charleston, and 65 miles north of Savannah, Georgia.Some of the neighboring islands include Hunting Island, Harbor Island, Saint Helena Island, and Lady's Island. Want to bungee jump off a bridge into a mountainous ravine? No doubt there are some great trails on the South Island (looking at you Queenstown), but the North Island takes the cake. New Zealand is blessed with an incredible number of landmarks. 1. Cook. Site Map | 5. If you are more a beer or coffee drinker than a wine drinker, head to Wellington. Enter your email and receive our monthly eNewsletter. 1. If you opt to venture up to the Bay of Islands, you'll enjoy a sub-tropical climate that is even warm during the winter months (check out the Bay of Islands adventure tour). In addition to being the political capital, it’s also the craft beer and coffee capital, so you’ll find a lot of local brews to enjoy. If you want to experience New Zealand by mountain bike, you should travel to the North Island. Ideally, if you’re budgeting a New Zealand tour, you’ll make time for both islands, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll have the time to accommodate such a large trip, especially if you’re adding New Zealand as a stopover after a vacation to Australia or Southeast Asia. Contact Us | For boat cruises, you won’t find a better spot to explore by water than Milford Sound. Since the temperatures only vary minimally on the two islands, neither island can lay claim to be more comfortable. Auckland (1.5 Million People) – The Biggest City in New Zealand. 1. And that's only the start of the list. Surfing and Adventure SouthIsland. Wellington is also the cultural capital, and if you’ve ever seen any movies filmed in New Zealand, like The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, you’ll want to head to Weta Workshop to get your fill of movie magic. Inland, you’ll find Rotorua, which is home to the geothermal wonders of Te Puia, including bubbling mud pools, boiling hot springs, and geysers, like Pohutu Geyser. Speaking of icebergs, check out the walk to Tasman Lake in Mt Cook National Park. No matter which island you head to on New Zealand tours, you’ll find plenty of world-class attractions and natural wonders that’ll prove the highlight of your vacation. Look no further than the lake country. Vancouver Island is in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, and part of the Canadian province of British Columbia.The island is 456 km (283 mi) in length, 100 km (62 mi) in width at its widest point, and 32,134 km 2 (12,407 sq mi) in area. Temperatures are cooler on the South Island, with mountain regions obviously being the coolest. If that’s the case, how do you choose between the North Island and the South Island? Furthermore, places like Rotorua, the Bay of Islands, and even Auckland let you get in touch with Maori culture. The coastline around Dunedin is abundant with wildlife, including Little Penguins and albatrosses. The South Island may not dominate food quite like it does wine, but it still has a lot of incredible cuisine to enjoy. Because more than three-quarters of New Zealand’s population lives in the North Island, there is a lot more “going on” in the North Island.Both New Zealand’s largest city Auckland and capital city Wellington are on the North Island offering heaps of events to go to, nights out to enjoy, bars and eateries to indulge at, and more! As we’ve done in the past for other countries, we’ve focused on landscape and climate, landmarks, city life and culture, food and wine, and activities. Stunning New Video from Tahiti Tourism will Inspire, India: Fuelled by Love - A British Airways Story, There’s an issue for every traveller type. Easy as pie here. Just the world’s most amazing sights captured on film. In Rotorua, you can get in touch with a hotbed of Maori culture, while Matamata has the aforementioned Hobbiton Movie Set. 5 Reasons You Should Travel the North Island. If you based yourself in Queenstown, you'd have three epic mountains within only an hours drive. There are some incredible cycle trails and mountain bike trails all around New Zealand, but the best are on the North Island. The North Island has some incredible bays and harbours, including the twin harbours of Auckland, the Hauraki Gulf, the Bay of Plenty, and the Bay of Islands. The North Shore of Long Island is the area along the northern coast of New York's Long Island bordering Long Island Sound.Known for its extreme wealth and lavish estates, the North Shore exploded into affluence at the turn of the 20th century, earning it the nickname the Gold Coast. The South Island is a bit different, in that it has the capability to reach the extremes – if you can call 1°C an extreme. And let’s not forget about Auckland and Wellington, the two largest and most popular cities in the country. So we’ll briefly mention them here. The island nation of New Zealand is made up of a North and South Island as well as approximately 600 smaller islands, and is located around 1,500 kilometres to the east of Australia in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. We ask this question every time we do a comparative article, but here more than in other articles, it should be obvious that you should visit both the North Island and the South Island if you have time on your New Zealand travel. On the North Island, you’ll find the best wine in the second and third largest wine regions in the country, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne. If you fancy yourself a mountain man (or woman), the South Island is for you. Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand by a wide margin and is located on the Hauraki Gulf in the island’s north. Historically, this term refers to the coastline communities in the towns of North … new Zealand is the undisputed center for adventure tourism and South Island is the epi centre of that and Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world!. As is apparent from this large (and hardly exhaustive) list of attractions, there is a lot to find on both the North Island and South Island on New Zealand travel. The South Island only has Christchurch in terms of major cities (and maybe Dunedin if you’re being generous), but the natural landscape makes up for any perceived lack of cosmopolitan wonders. If you want to experience this geothermic activity - the North Island is for you. In this mountain range, you’ll also find the country’s famous glaciers, Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, and the largest mountain in the country, Aoraki/Mt. Norfolk Island (/ ˈ n ɔːr f ə k /, locally / ˈ n ɔːr f oʊ k /; Norfuk: Norf'k Ailen) is an external territory of Australia located in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and New Caledonia, 1,412 kilometres (877 mi) directly east of Australia's Evans Head and about 900 kilometres (560 mi) from Lord Howe Island.Together with the neighbouring Phillip Island and Nepean Island… Smaller cities like Dunedin have their charms, and towns like Queenstown have a lot of restaurants and wineries to enjoy when you’re not taking advantage of the landscape. The hike to Sealy Tarns on the way to Mueller Hut and the walk up Ben Lomond in Queenstown stand out, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. The best places to visit in the South Island. You can also helicopter into Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier and hike along their icy surfaces. If you’re a walker, explore the island’s trails which meander along cliff tops, down to the beaches and into cool enclaves of native forest. However, if you venture out of the city, you’ll still find a lot of good food. This is where you’ll find the Southern Alps, which includes glaciers and the country’s largest mountain, Aoraki/Mt. Don't hesitate to get in touch and we can help you plan your trip through our free Travel Planning Service. Vibrant Cities Winner: North Island. TERMS | Of course, there’s a tremendous amount of overlap between the two islands as there isn’t an obvious cultural divide between north and south, like there is in China, for instance. His favourite travel experience was visiting the major cities of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, but his love for food, drink, and film will take him anywhere that boasts great art and culture. Contents: Settlements The resident population of all urban areas and rural settlements on the South Island according to official estimates. Want to jet-ski across a crystal-clear lake? You can do that in Queenstown. Queenstown bills itself the "Adventure Capital of the World," and while visiting you could skydive with NZONE, bungy jump, go paragliding, go white water rafting or cruise around New Zealand's rivers on a jet boat. The total number of households is 12,273 with 2 people per household on average.The median age of the current population is 40 with 13,617 people being married and 12,436 being single. With a huge choice of regional parks mixed with bush and beach, beautiful island … Australia vs New Zealand: Which Iconic Destination is Right for You on a South Pacific Vacation? Interestingly, the food and wine of New Zealand does not line up exactly with the city life and culture. States Ranked by Population Density (people per square mile of land area) See the Area Measurement section of the U.S. Census’s Census 2000 Geographic Definitions page for definitions of Size, Land Area, and Water Area. Related Article: Should we even mention skydiving, because it should be obvious you can do that in Queenstown too. If you want to venture through a more rugged landscape of mountains and fjords, enjoy world-class food and wine, and take activity of all manner of outdoor activities, head to the South Island. As well, as far as oysters go, they don’t get better than Bluff oysters in Southland, where from late March until late August, you can feast on these fatty and succulent ocean treats. Typically, you’d assume that cities have the lion’s share of good food and wine, but all regions of New Zealand have something to boast about in this department. This post should help you decide whether the North Island or South Island is best for you. First on our list of New Zealand cities is Auckland. In Kaikoura in northern Canterbury, you’ll find fresh lobsters and crayfish sold in roadside stalls along the coastal highway. Australia vs New Zealand: Which Iconic Destination is Right for You on a South Pacific Vacation? This region is located to the east of the southern tip of South America and north of Antarctica. In the island’s south, you’ll find volcanoes around Tongariro National Park. Of course, this all has to do with the North Island being home to the largest cities in the nation. Stop off and purchase a freshly-cooked lobster or cray and head on down to the rocks near the beach to feast on this incredible shellfish. As one of the world’s significant wine-making nations (even if it produces a very small amount of the world’s wine), New Zealand has a lot of winelands that are worth exploring. However, both islands are breathtaking – which if you know anything about New Zealand, shouldn’t come as a surprise. You might think that the North Island and South Island are identical in terms of landscape and climate, but things aren’t quite that simple. Looking to travel to New Zealand? While both islands have beaches, the North Island has more of the traditional white-sand beaches that are perfect for swimming. If that wasn’t enough, a term spent in Sweden as a young teenager and a trek across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand confirmed that destiny. In the midst of the mountains, you’ll find the fjords that culminate in Milford Sound and Mitre Peak. If you want to take advantage of the bounties of the earth, whether heading underground or soaking in hot springs, the geothermal nature of the North Island will also accommodate you well. Some of the most popular places. Everything was looking good, but all of a sudden they started questioning which island was better - the North Island or the South Island? If you'd like some personalized help planning your trip, check out our FREE Travel Planning Service. Email our travel desk: hello@planitnz.com, CONTACT | For instance, the small port town of Mangonui is famous for its fish and chips, while Taupo is the only place in the country where you can enjoy geothermal-farmed prawns and other Maori delicacies. In terms of cost, both the North Island and South Island are comparable. If you want to focus on cities during your New Zealand vacation, favour the North Island. Of course, New Zealand is most famous for its sheep and lamb dishes, and you’ll find no better spot to enjoy some Canterbury lamb than in Christchurch. Regarding infrastructure, the North Island has a slight advantage as it has the major international airports in Auckland and Wellington. Hawke’s Bay is known for its red wines like Merlot and Cabernet Franc, while the Maori area of Gisborne is known for whites like Chardonnay. Along the bay or in some of the city’s cultural hubs, you’ll find plenty of fresh seafood to enjoy. Generally speaking, if you want to engage with city culture or explore Maori history, the North Island is for you. population growth | Western Investor New Zealand - New Zealand - Relief: Although New Zealand is small, its geologic history is complex. That sometimes means making hard decisions between distinct regions of a country. When you are a Goway Globetrotter you become part of a special fraternity of travellers about whom we care very much. 4. You can go skiing in the Southern Alps in winter or test your limits by ice climbing Aoraki/Mt. In landscape, lifestyle and experience, Waiheke is a world away. Threats and conservation. Earlier this week, I was helping someone plan an adventure in New Zealand. Again, you won’t go wrong no matter which island you focus on. There are some stunning and windswept beaches on the South Island, but thanks to the ocean currents that affect the North Island, the water stays warmer throughout the year. I won't say they're better, as New Zealand's ski fields are all distinctly different, but there are certainly more to choose from on the South Island. Okay, that's the North Island covered - now let's talk about Te Waipounamu - the South Island. Speaking of mountains, if you want to do hiking (or tramping as we say) in New Zealand, you should absolutely head to the South Island. Adventure sports are on offer all around New Zealand, but there seem to be more to choose from on the South Island. Hopefully this provides a bit of insight to help you choose which island is right for you. You might think that the North Island and South Island are identical in terms of landscape and climate, but things aren’t quite that simple. It also has gorgeous coastline, but it is best known for the many mountains and fjords that define its inland. The biggest differences between the North Island and the South … Rather than telling you one island is better than the other, I'll instead give you 5 Reasons Why You Should Travel the North Island and 5 Reasons Why You Should Travel the South Island. Reading Time: 5 minutes New Zealand is one of those places, split by a strip of water, whose north- INSURANCE, 8 Day South Island Itinerary from Queenstown, 8 Day Christchurch to Queenstown Itinerary, South Island Itinerary: 5 Days in Queenstown, Wild South: One Week South Island Itinerary, 7 Day North Island Family Self Drive Tour, Family Friendly South Island Travel Guide, The Best Maori Cultural Experiences in NZ. Known as “the most dangerous island in the world” - north sentinel island has been isolated from the rest of the world for a long time. Our company philosophy is simple – we want you to be more than satisfied with our services. Part of being an experienced globetrotter is knowing how to properly utilize your time. New Zealand’s South Island is larger than the North Island and generally considered more beautiful. The Island’s abundance naturally extends to the luxury of choice that a peerless all-inclusive offering provides. Cook. The city of Christchurch is a vibrant urban centre with startling street art and a thriving foodie scene.. Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. We had decided that a hop on, hop off bus pass would work best for them, and were in the process of finalizing their itinerary on the North Island. Speaking of Wellington, if you're keen on spending some time in big cities, then the North Island is right for you. That’s why we’ve broken down the major differences between the North Island and South Island. 3. Trying to visit both will result in you constantly rushing from one place to the next, and consequently not enjoying your trip. Check out the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park in Ruapehu, the hot pools and bubbling mud spas of Rotorua and the famous Hot Water Beach in the Coromandel. Normally in these sorts of comparative articles, we’d have infrastructure and cost as its own category. The Bay of Plenty will accommodate you with many incredible beaches, while the Coromandel Peninsula or the Waitakere Ranges to the east of Auckland are great spots for surfing. South Georgia is 165 kilometres (103 mi) long and 35 kilometres (22 mi) wide and is by far the largest island … They are all distinctly unique, and all bloody stunning (check out the highlights from each on this blog post). Altogether, the North Island has around 76 percent of the country’s population, which means that sheer size favours its cultural supremacy. In fact, the entirety of Fiordland National Park begs to be explored by water. Most international visitors arrive in Auckland in the North You can also visit New Zealand's National Museum - Te Papa - in Wellington to learn more about Maori culture. But overall, the South Island is more about the landscape than the cities. How about dirt biking through the foothills or skiing down a mountain after flying in a helicopter to the top of your ski route? The earliest known rocks originated as sedimentary deposits some 545 million to 540 million years ago, at the close of Precambrian time (4.6 billion to 541 million years ago) and the … The architecture and city culture (think high tea) is worth exploring, as is the Botanical Gardens, which are the best in the country. The South Island is bigger than the North Island and there's less people -- so if you're looking for some tranquillity, you're more likely to find it down here. Thanks to this event millions of years ago, New Zealand features a mountainous spine on the South Island as well as active volcanoes and other geothermic activity on the North Island. The white sandy beaches at Oneroa, Palm Beach and Onetangi slope gently down into the Hauraki Gulf and are perfect for swimming, kayaking, or having a picnic. Auckland and Wellington are two incredibly diverse cities, and each offer world class restaurants, arts and culture. Located near the Marlborough Sounds, this region has around 65 wineries producing some of the best Sauvignon Blanc you’ll find anywhere in the world. The activities you want to do on New Zealand travel will dictate which island you favour. And last but not least is Queenstown, where you can do almost anything you set your heart on. The largest of these islands is the South Georgia Island. New Zealand: North Island Vs South Island Posted by: Alan Hughes in Oceania October 31, 2017 0 6,168 Views New Zealand is an incredibly popular tourist haunt amongst backpackers, thrill seekers and explorers and there is so much to see and do in this incredible country. If you want to explore a warmer climate with hot springs, mud pools, and white-sand beaches, explore Maori culture, venture through larger cities, and enjoy more cosmopolitan comforts, the North Island is for you. On top of that, Rotorua and Taupo are home to some of the best mountain biking in New Zealand. As well, the subtropical waters of the North Island accommodate scuba diving better than the cooler waters of the South Island. As well, in the island’s north, you’ll find several fascinating waterways like the Marlborough Sounds. Any questions? In terms of coastline, there are few spots in the world as gorgeous and pristine as the Coromandel Peninsula. North Island epitomises the freedom that complete privacy allows, extraordinary experiences, perfectly personalised to your preferences, and service that is generously big-hearted. Still need help? Generally, the North Island is warmer, as its northernmost regions are subtropical. Outside of these Great Walks, there are exceptional day hikes around the South Island. Get a a Free Quote by filling out the form below: Globetrotting Editor - You might say that Aren was destined to become a Globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. New Zealand is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia.There are two main islands: the North Island and the South Island, in addition to roughly 600 smaller islands. If you want to deep-dive into nature, the South Island has plenty of lakes, mountains, fjords, and glaciers to discover. However, due to its incredible wine regions and abundant farmland, the South Island edges out the North Island as more essential for food and drink. As well, transit is more efficient and frequent on the North Island, as the large cities bring with them large transit infrastructures. In the Bay of Islands, you’ll also find important Maori centres like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Well, first of all, you’ll have to know what the difference is between these two major islands before your visit on New Zealand travel. They're distinctly New Zealand, and as such are only a stones throw away from beaches, hiking trails and stunning landscapes - so a good mix of city and scenery too. It is the largest island … The Magazine for world travellers, © Copyright Goway Travel. New Zealand's capital city of Wellington is situated on the southern end of the North Island and lies along the Cook Strait (giving it a strong coastal … Few places on the planet can match it for outdoor activities. And lastly, in the island’s north, you’ll find Abel Tasman National Park and the Marlborough Sounds. You’ll find incredible beaches in Northland, the Bay of Islands, and around the Coromandel Peninsula, while the central region of the island around Rotorua is known for the hot springs and bubbling mud pools that come with intense geothermal activity. Only about 1/3 of New Zealand's population lives on the South Island, so there is no shortage of wide open spaces to explore. Christchurch. However great the North Island is, it’s hard to match the sheer number of activities to do on the South Island. On the South Island, you’ll find the Southern Alps, which contribute to the many fjords that define the island. In winter, the temperature is a moderate 14-22°C. If you're coming to New Zealand on a ski holiday, the South Island has more ski fields to choose from. Canterbury and the lake country around Queenstown also have plenty of wineries to explore and enjoy, although if you can only head to one winery during your trip to New Zealand, make sure it’s in Marlborough. The SGSSI are a group of sub-Antarctic islands, located in the South Atlantic Ocean. The South Sandwich Islands are a chain of smaller islands: Zavodovski Island, Leskov Island, Visokoi Islan… A little further to the north, you’ll find Matamata and film locations from The Lord of the Rings at the Hobbiton Movie Set. Some of the best multi-day Great Walks are on the South Island - the Routeburn Track, the Milford Track and the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. The southern Alps are beautiful and offer some world-class … Christchurch on the South Island’s east coast is the third largest city in the country and its most distinctly English city. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) is a British Overseas Territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean.It is a remote and inhospitable collection of islands, consisting of South Georgia and a chain of smaller islands known as the South Sandwich Islands. 2. Since the North Island has more islands and more white-sand beaches, it’s the ideal spot to go surfing or swimming. Population. 3. The majority of New Zealand's native Maori population lives on the North Island, and this is where you can more readily attend cultural performances or visit a Marae and eat a hangi. So how do you choose between the two? Wellington is smaller than Auckland, but still large enough to count as the country’s second largest city. New Zealand | History, Map, Flag, Capital, Population, & Facts | … Find plenty of fresh seafood to enjoy find a lot of good restaurants bars... 'S only the start of the list Papa - in Wellington to learn more about the landscape the... 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With the famous glowworm caves and the glowworm Grotto are cooler on the South Island ’ largest! Choose which Island you focus on cities during your New Zealand 's National -! Guarantee that your trip, check out the highlights from each on this blog post ) we can help decide! Zealand - Relief: Although New Zealand: which Iconic Destination is for... Want to travel around New Zealand does not line north island vs south island population exactly with the glowworm... Or test your limits by ice climbing Aoraki/Mt avalanches and cold climate travelled across Asia, Europe and! A hotbed of Maori culture airports in Auckland and Wellington do that Queenstown. Quite like it does wine, mostly due to the northwest, there are exceptional hikes. Cultural hubs, you ’ ll find plenty of fresh seafood to enjoy of... World travellers, © Copyright Goway travel thriving foodie scene.. Aoraki/Mount Cook Park..., both islands are breathtaking – which if you based yourself in Queenstown where... Of cost, both the North Island, as the large cities bring them... Least is Queenstown, where you ’ ll find fresh lobsters and crayfish sold in roadside stalls along Bay. Define its inland go wrong no matter which Island you focus on abundant with wildlife including...