Top Reasons to Go

Top Reasons to Go

Mountains & Glaciers. The South Island is piled high with mountains. The massive Southern Alps mountain chain divides the island lengthwise, and many outlying ranges spring up in the north. Extensive parklands make these mountains tantalizingly accessible—walk or ski them, or catch a helicopter to a glacier. In places like Kaikoura, farmers have banded together to create farm-to-farm hiking trails through otherwise inaccessible mountain, bush, and coastal areas.

Pub Life. There's no better place to get time with the locals than in a small-town pub at night, especially on the West Coast. When the wind is howling outside, or the surf is roaring, the pubs feel even cozier. There's often a big fire in a corner fireplace and local farmers, miners, or tour guides standing around the bar, tall stories flowing with the beer. Should you blank on a topic of conversation, you can't go wrong with a rugby question—just don't mention the World Cup.

Wildlife. The upper South Island is the habitat for some very interesting creatures. Tuatara, the last reptiles of their kind, live on the protected Stephens Island in Marlborough Sounds. South by Lake Moeraki, you may see fiordland crested penguins and New Zealand fur seals. On the other side of the island, along the Kaikoura Coast, you can get very close to whales, dolphins, and seals in the wild. In and around the Marlborough Sounds you're likely to see dolphins on a daily basis and killer whales in season. The Abel Tasman coastline is home to several colonies of fur seals.

Wine. It took only a couple of decades for Marlborough to become one of the world's great wine-making regions. The sunny-day-cool-night climate means grapes come off the vines plump with flavor, and that translates into wines with aromas that burst out of the glass. It's an exciting feistiness that some consider too unbridled—but the wine is delicious. At any of the smaller wineries, you'll likely share your first taste with the winemakers themselves.