For many who have taken a facet, the South Island tends to be the prevailing favourite. I can’t disagree with this, whether or not due to the dramatic Alpine surroundings, or the truth that I usually want Christchurch over Auckland by a reasonably vast margin.
How I Got here to Know New Zealand
Whether or not within the North Island or South Island, I like New Zealand—I can’t wait to return. A part of the rationale I haven’t, but, is that I first went there actually weeks earlier than covid-19 shut down the world. I merely haven’t had an opportunity to return for the reason that nation rolled again its strict border controls and started welcoming vacationers again. Quickly, although—I promise you that.
Certainly, I made a degree of seeing each islands. I spent per week within the north, with two days in Auckland (and close by Waiheke Island) earlier than driving to Taupo and Rotorua on my approach again. I then fly from Auckland to Christchurch, the place I drove to Tekapo, Aoraki and Wanaka en path to Queenstown, earlier than looping all the best way again to the CHC. Let’s dive into the specifics of easy methods to evaluate New Zealand’s islands.
Methods the North and South Islands Are Completely different
Topography
Opposite to in style perception, New Zealand’s North Island isn’t flat. Nonetheless, except for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing close to Lake Taupo, the topography of northern New Zealand is mostly a bit much less dramatic within the south—fewer tall mountains, however extra (and bigger volcanic lakes). However, I’d positively say the North Island has higher (and hotter!) seashores than the south, which is necessary if you wish to swim at them relatively than simply taking a look at them.
Locations
Relating to South Island vs North Island, most individuals imagine that there’s nothing to do within the North Island—this merely isn’t true. Whereas the South Island sightseeing circuit—Tekapo/Aoraki/Wanaka/Queenstown—is extra clearly fulfilling, there are many wonderful issues within the North. In the event you don’t like Auckland comparatively cosmopolitanism, the quirkiness of Wellington, the indigenous tradition of Rotorua or the surf city vibe of Tauranga could also be extra your velocity.
Experiences
Likewise, journey vacationers virtually solely head for the South Island, and Queenstown specifically. And never only for skydiving and bungee leaping, regardless that it has much more of these choices than the north does. Nonetheless, whereas these actions (and ones like heli-hiking in Franz Josef and Aoraki) are conspicuous and straightforward to entry, the north provides many singular experiences. From the aforementioned Tongariro Alpine Crossing to the Bay of Islands (TIP: skydive right here), New Zealand’s North Island isn’t to be dismissed.
Inhabitants
Which is larger, the South Island or North Island? Nicely, whereas the South Island has a barely bigger land space, many extra individuals dwell on the North Island. Particularly, almost 4 million of New Zealand’s 5.1 million individuals dwell in Wellington or north of there. With this being stated, the South Island isn’t some depopulated wilderness. Christchurch is a legitimately massive metropolis, whereas different settlements like Dunedin, Nelson and naturally Queenstown supply loads of creature comforts.
Infrastructure
Except the very middle of cities, New Zealand is a rustic the place you actually need your personal set of wheels to get round. Home flights will solely take you to airport (the place you possibly can lease a automotive); bus schedules are usually too anemic to make seeing the entire nation that approach sensible, until you actually plan to take your time. Relating to the roadways themselves, they’re glorious on each islands, though you might have extra and higher motorways within the north.
How Many Days Do You Want in New Zealand?
New Zealand is larger than it appears, though that’s not the one issue that ought to decide how lengthy you keep right here. It’s additionally far-off from virtually in all places! Why you’d fly for nearly two days and never keep at the very least two weeks is past me, though I’m not hear to guage. Suffice it to remain, you need to spend as lengthy in New Zealand as you possibly can, maintaining in thoughts your personal state of affairs.
General, I’d recommend dividing your time equally between the North Island and South Island. When you have three weeks in New Zealand, for instance, spend 10 days within the north and 10 days road-tripping across the south. The concept is that every of those islands has sufficient to supply that every ought to command roughly the identical period of time, even in case you suppose you may take pleasure in yet one more.
Different FAQ About Journey to New Zealand
Why is the South Island higher?
Many individuals want the South Island of New Zealand due to its extra dramatic surroundings and the bigger number of journey actions on supply there. Along with being the perfect place in New Zealand for skydiving and bungee leaping, the Southern Alps (and the glaciers protecting them) are alluring to vacationers from all around the world (in addition to from inside New Zealand).
Is South Island or North Island larger?
With an space of round 58,000 sq. miles, the South Island of New Zealand is bigger than the North Island, which covers roughly 44,000 sq. miles. However, the North Island is way more populous: Almost 4 million of New Zealand’s 5.1 million inhabitants dwell there.
Is New Zealand two islands?
In whole, New Zealand contains 600 islands, the overwhelming majority of that are uninhabitable and troublesome to succeed in. Certainly, people spend time totally on its two principal islands: The North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui in Māori) and the South Island (Te Wai Pounamu).
The Backside Line
Is New Zealand’s North Island or South Island higher for vacationers? On the floor, there appears to be a transparent winner: The South Island and its glaciers, Alpine Peaks and colourful lakes. Nonetheless, assuming you might have at the very least a few weeks in New Zealand, I’d suggest devoting a while to the North Island, if solely to drive from Auckland to Rotorua or Taupo and again round.
