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. Some of the most popular places. The coastline around Dunedin is abundant with wildlife, including Little Penguins and albatrosses. Land has existed in the vicinity of New Zealand for most of the past 500 million years. If you based yourself in Queenstown, you'd have three epic mountains within only an hours drive. Or better yet, check out the South Island Snow Tour to experience six mountains in seven days. That sometimes means making hard decisions between distinct regions of a country. Cook. Generally speaking, if you want to engage with city culture or explore Maori history, the North Island is for you. 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. 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. The North Sentinel Island is merely 59.6 km 2, roughly the same area as New York’s Manhattan Island.In 2004, a tsunami changed the island’s geography by lifting the island by one to two meters, extending its boundaries on the west and south sides by about one kilometer and uniting an islet with the main island. If you're looking to experience New Zealand's famous geothermal activity, you'll want to travel the North Island. Things move a bit slower down here, there's less traffic on the roads and (dare I say it), the locals are just a bit more friendly. The biggest differences between the North Island and the South … It also has gorgeous coastline, but it is best known for the many mountains and fjords that define its inland. The South Island outdoes the North Island in terms of wine, mostly due to the country’s largest wine region, Marlborough. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Asia, Europe, and South America. Go Globetrotting! 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. Since the temperatures only vary minimally on the two islands, neither island can lay claim to be more comfortable. The North Island has some volcanic mountains in Tongariro National Park, but they don't begin to compare with the mountains of the Southern Alps. Contact Us | All Rights Reserved 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. If you want to experience New Zealand by mountain bike, you should travel to the North Island. 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. Altogether, the North Island has around 76 percent of the country’s population, which means that sheer size favours its cultural supremacy. As well, in the island’s north, you’ll find several fascinating waterways like the Marlborough Sounds. 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 South Sandwich Islands are a chain of smaller islands: Zavodovski Island, Leskov Island, Visokoi Islan… 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. Wellington is smaller than Auckland, but still large enough to count as the country’s second largest city. 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. If you're lucky enough to travel the North and the South Island, after crossing the Cook Strait and arriving on the South Island, you'll immediately feel like you're in a different place. However, there’s no guarantee that your trip to New Zealand can accommodate everything you want. Of course, this all has to do with the North Island being home to the largest cities in the nation. 3. The best places to visit in the South Island. 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. 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. New Zealand Area and Population Density. As well, transit is more efficient and frequent on the North Island, as the large cities bring with them large transit infrastructures. This is where you’ll find the Southern Alps, which includes glaciers and the country’s largest mountain, Aoraki/Mt. 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. 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. You’ve probably already figured out which island accommodates which activities based on the landscape and the star attractions of each, but we might as well explicitly list the main activities to do on each island. The treaty between the Maori and the Pākehā (New Zealanders who are of European descent) was signed in Northland at Waitangi, and there's much to experience at the treaty grounds. 5. While both islands have a significant amount of coastline, farmland, and high terrain, the North and South Island are not identical. Our company philosophy is simple – we want you to be more than satisfied with our services. Hopefully this provides a bit of insight to help you choose which island is right for you. Australia vs New Zealand: Which Iconic Destination is Right for You on a South Pacific Vacation? In winter, the temperature is a moderate 14-22°C. In terms of landscape, the North Island is known for its gorgeous coastline and geothermal hotspots. Want to jet-ski across a crystal-clear lake? 2. The New Zealand Cycle Trail network is a series of multi-day rides scattered about New Zealand. 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. In landscape, lifestyle and experience, Waiheke is a world away. 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. Goway.com, Web Design & Development by Atomic Motion. Don't hesitate to get in touch and we can help you plan your trip through our free Travel Planning Service. Regarding infrastructure, the North Island has a slight advantage as it has the major international airports in Auckland and Wellington. Everything was looking good, but all of a sudden they started questioning which island was better - the North Island or the South Island? 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 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. Most international visitors arrive in Auckland in the North 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. 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. New Zealand is blessed with an incredible number of landmarks. You can go skiing in the Southern Alps in winter or test your limits by ice climbing Aoraki/Mt. 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. While the South Island population grew by 1.8 per cent in 2017, it's still smaller than Auckland, and the North Island's population grew by 2.2 per cent in the same period. When you are a Goway Globetrotter you become part of a special fraternity of travellers about whom we care very much. In fact, the entirety of Fiordland National Park begs to be explored by water. Trying to visit both will result in you constantly rushing from one place to the next, and consequently not enjoying your trip. Furthermore, places like Rotorua, the Bay of Islands, and even Auckland let you get in touch with Maori culture. Natural hazards influencing the Fiordland takahē population include avalanches and cold climate. That’s why we’ve broken down the major differences between the North Island and South Island. 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. They take in some of the best scenery in New Zealand, and some of the best are on the North Island - the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail, the Timber Trail, the Westland Wilderness Trail and more. You can do that in Queenstown. Email our travel desk: hello@planitnz.com, CONTACT | 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. 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. Vancouver Island leads in B.C. 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. The Magazine for world travellers, © Copyright Goway Travel. Auckland (1.5 Million People) – The Biggest City in New Zealand. 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. If that’s the case, how do you choose between the North Island and the South Island? Australia vs New Zealand: Which Iconic Destination is Right for You on a South Pacific Vacation? 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. As the South Island is all about the natural landscape, it offers a bit wider options for activities. 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 … Christchurch on the South Island’s east coast is the third largest city in the country and its most distinctly English city. Christchurch. However, if you venture out of the city, you’ll still find a lot of good food. 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. They are all distinctly unique, and all bloody stunning (check out the highlights from each on this blog post). So we’ll briefly mention them here. 5. 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. 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. 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 answer really depends on what kind of a trip you're looking for and what you're interested in doing while travelling New Zealand. Surfing and Adventure SouthIsland. Along the bay or in some of the city’s cultural hubs, you’ll find plenty of fresh seafood to enjoy. While the country as a whole has a generally wet and temperate maritime climate, the temperature gets colder the further south you travel due to the country being in the Southern Hemisphere. TERMS | If you're planning a trip to New Zealand, you're in the right place. Want to bungee jump off a bridge into a mountainous ravine? In the midst of the mountains, you’ll find the fjords that culminate in Milford Sound and Mitre Peak. However, when comparing two parts of the same nation, these categories would not warrant their own section. 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. Looking to travel to New Zealand? This region is located to the east of the southern tip of South America and north of Antarctica. In Rotorua, you can deep-dive into Maori cultural traditions at the Tamaki Maori Village, while the Coromandel Peninsula will treat you to delicious fresh oysters. However great the North Island is, it’s hard to match the sheer number of activities to do on the South Island. 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. 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. 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. Site Map | Good skiing, too The south island is the largest of all the islands, yet it has about half the population of the north island. The islands include the Shags Rocks, Clerke Rocks, Black Rocks, South Georgia Island, South Sandwich Islands, and Bird Island. If you want to experience this geothermic activity - the North Island is for you. And last but not least is Queenstown, where you can do almost anything you set your heart on. Generally, the North Island is warmer, as its northernmost regions are subtropical. For boat cruises, you won’t find a better spot to explore by water than Milford Sound. If you are more a beer or coffee drinker than a wine drinker, head to Wellington. Threats and conservation. On top of that, Rotorua and Taupo are home to some of the best mountain biking in New Zealand. 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. 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. Equipped with our guide to New Zealand’s North Island and South Island, you’ll know how to best approach this incredible nation. The great thing about the North Island is that it’s basically not too hot, not too cold – no matter what the time of year. In terms of food, you’ll obviously find a lot of good restaurants and bars in Auckland. Regardless of which you choose, you're bound to have an incredible time. 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!. So, which is better - the North Island or the South Island? Cook. 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. Enter your email and receive our monthly eNewsletter. It’s not often that we break down the differences between two parts of a single country, but there are few countries that divide so neatly in two like New Zealand. 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. Of these fjords, Milford Sound is the most famous – and likely the most famous site in the entire country along with its central mountain, Mitre Peak. Temperatures are cooler on the South Island, with mountain regions obviously being the coolest. 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. 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. Reading Time: 5 minutes New Zealand is one of those places, split by a strip of water, whose north- If you're looking for warmer temperatures and accessible beaches, the North Island is for you. You can also helicopter into Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier and hike along their icy surfaces. 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. Earlier this week, I was helping someone plan an adventure in New Zealand. Historically, this term refers to the coastline communities in the towns of North … Speaking of Wellington, if you're keen on spending some time in big cities, then the North Island is right for you. In terms of cost, both the North Island and South Island are comparable. 4. 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. If you want to focus on cities during your New Zealand vacation, favour the North Island. New Zealand | History, Map, Flag, Capital, Population, & Facts | … Cook. The total surface area within New Zealand comes in at 103,483 square miles (268,021 square kilometers) which ranks 76 th in the world just in terms … The icon links to further information about a selected place including its population structure (gender, age groups, age distribution, religion, country of birth, ethnic group). However, it’s hardly bereft of city life. Just the world’s most amazing sights captured on film. And let’s not forget about Auckland and Wellington, the two largest and most popular cities in the country. Still need help? 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. If you're coming to New Zealand on a ski holiday, the South Island has more ski fields to choose from. 1. While both islands have beaches, the North Island has more of the traditional white-sand beaches that are perfect for swimming. Population. In the island’s south, you’ll find volcanoes around Tongariro National Park. It’s no secret that Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city both population and landmass-wise. Should we even mention skydiving, because it should be obvious you can do that in Queenstown too. 1. Outside of the major cities of Auckland and Wellington, the North Island also has Tauranga, Hamilton, Napier and Hastings, and Gisborne. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. A little further to the north, you’ll find Matamata and film locations from The Lord of the Rings at the Hobbiton Movie Set. This post should help you decide whether the North Island or South Island is best for you. New Zealand - New Zealand - Relief: Although New Zealand is small, its geologic history is complex. The largest of these islands is the South Georgia Island. 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. You can also visit New Zealand's National Museum - Te Papa - in Wellington to learn more about Maori culture. 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. 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. South Georgia is 165 kilometres (103 mi) long and 35 kilometres (22 mi) wide and is by far the largest island … population growth | Western Investor If you're coming to New Zealand on a ski holiday, the South Island has more ski fields to choose from. Any questions? 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 … So how do you choose between the two? Okay, that's the North Island covered - now let's talk about Te Waipounamu - the South Island. 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. 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