wild punakaiki coastline in the south island

New Zealand’s two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, both offer very different experiences for travellers.

If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand, you’re probably wondering how best to divide your time — if you only have time to visit one island, which one should you choose?

I come from the North Island, but I’ve travelled extensively in the South Island (I have to admit, the hiking is better in the South Island).

Here are my best recommendations for choosing between the North Island and the South Island.

If you want to jump ahead:

North Island’s unique attractions

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Comparing both islands; the differences in a nutshell:

Visit the North Island for geothermal wonders, beautiful beaches, and Maori culture.
Visit the South Island for hiking through sweeping landscapes, seeing glaciers, and witnessing abundant wildlife.
The North Island tends to be warmer and more humid, while the South Island is colder.

Is the North Island or the South Island better to visit?

Alpine scenery in the South Island

Lush, green forests in the North Island

Broadly speaking, if you’re drawn to culture, history, and coastal lifestyle, you should visit the North Island. If you prefer outdoor adventures and sweeping landscapes, you’ll love the South Island’s mountains, glaciers, and fjords.

Both islands have incredible wine regions, great day walks, and awesome food (although Auckland and Wellington are much more vegetarian friendly than Christchurch and Queenstown).

The South Island is generally seen as more beautiful, but in my view that’s just because geographically, the North Island and the South Island are quite different.

If I had to pick one, I would tell you to visit the South Island if you’re short on time — but the North Island is also gorgeous.

Here is my best attempt to compare both islands.

Both islands are big — bigger than they might first appear. Hiring a rental car is by far the easiest way to get around. Check prices on DiscoverCars >>

Here are some suggested itineraries and road trips around the islands:

The unique attractions that make the North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui special

omanawanui coastal walk near auckland — *A coastal hike near Auckland — photo credit Miles Holden*

For me, what makes the North Island stand out is the array of incredible beaches — in some places, like Rarawa Beach in Northland, the white sand is so fine it squeaks under your feet. In other places, like along the West Coast of Auckland, the beaches are black with volcanic sand.

I come from the Coromandel Peninsula, which is home to beaches which are world famous for their beauty. Cathedral Cove is a highlight, but there are other incredible beaches around for anyone willing to look.

an aerial view of Cathedral Cove in the North Island — *Cathedral Cove in the Coromandel Peninsula — photo credit Miles Holden*

The North Island also simmers with volcanic activity.

You can see geysers spray steam from the earth in Rotorua, witness mud pools bubbling away, and soak in naturally hot rivers near Taupo.

As well as hot pools, the geothermal activity creates colourful pools, like at Wai O Tapu near Rotorua and the emerald lakes you see on the Tongariro Crossing.

This kind of geothermal activity is one of the most unique aspects of New Zealand, so it’s a huge drawcard for the North Island.

The volcanic legacy of the North Island is everywhere. Lake Taupo is the caldera of the Taupo volcano. Mount Taranaki and the volcanoes in Tongariro National Park make for incredible hiking.

Around Auckland, you can also see prominent volcanic cones, like Rangitoto Island on the horizon.

The North Island is home to New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, as well as the capital city, Wellington. This makes the North Island more appealing in terms of city life; you’ll find the best places to eat, art galleries, and museums in the North Island.

North Island must-dos include:

Waitomo Glowworm Caves: Take a boat ride through the underground caves and marvel at the thousands of glowworms that light up the walls like stars.
Tongariro National Park: Hike the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a challenging but rewarding 19.4 km trek through volcanic landscapes and stunning views.
Go on a wine tour of Waiheke Island
Visit the real-life movie set of Hobbiton from the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, complete with hobbit holes and the Green Dragon Inn.
See Tane Mahuta, the largest living kauri tree in New Zealand, in the Waipoua Forest in Northland.
Road trip around the Coromandel Peninsula: Discover hidden bays and see Cathedral Cove from the water

So, should you visit the North Island?

If you have two weeks you can definitely see a little of the North Island and more of the South, with a flight linking the two islands and saving you some time.

With three weeks, you can road trip from North to South (or vice versa). I would probably recommend spending at least two of those weeks in the South Island.

The attractions that make the South Island/Te Waipounamu special

a sunset at isthmus peak in the south island of new zealand — *Sunset at Isthmus Peak, near Wanaka*

In contrast to the North Island, the South Island is more mountainous. As a North Islander, I’m always left awestruck by the sight of the high, snow-topped mountains.

The Southern Alps dominate the landscape, and glaciers, fjords, and pristine lakes are strung throughout the South Island’s mountains.

The South Island’s scenery is more dramatic, with everything from lush rainforest on the West Coast to the golden alpine region near Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.

The South Island has far fewer people than the North Island, so it often feels more remote and wild. This also means the driving distances between towns are much greater.

The South Island is an epic destination for hiring a campervan and going on a road trip. There are many stunning campgrounds to choose from and you can really feel like you’re immersed in the landscapes.

Some of the South Island’s must sees include:

Fiordland National Park: Take a scenic cruise through Milford Sound, one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world.
The South Island is home to 7 out of 10 of the Great Walks — check out the Routeburn or Abel Tasman Track, both of which have great day walk options.
Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers: Hike or take a helicopter tour to see these stunning glaciers up close.
Aoraki/Mount Cook: Visit Aoraki/Mount Cook to hike the Hooker Valley Track and see New Zealand’s highest mountain.
Abel Tasman National Park: Explore the golden beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush forests of this stunning coastal park.
Seeing the whales and dolphins near Kaikoura, which is an epic place for viewing marine life.

The weather in the North Island versus the South Island

The two islands have different climates, with the North Island being warmer and more humid, while the South Island is cooler and drier.

Summer temperatures on the North Island can reach up to 30°C, while the winter temperatures tend to hover around 10°C.

I will quite often go for an ocean or river dip in the middle of winter in the North Island, but I’m not brave enough to go for a winter swim in the South. The water temperatures are much colder in the South Island.

The South Island has a cooler, more temperate climate. Summer temperatures averaging around 20°C and winter temperatures averaging around 5°C.

The hottest and the coldest days have been recorded in the South Island.

If you visit the North Island, you’re more likely to need wet weather gear. In the South Island, you’ll need warmer layers.

Even the weather within each island can vary a lot, though.

In Fiordland or on the West Coast of the South Island, there’s a good chance you’ll get rain no matter what time of year you visit. These regions are basically rain forests, which makes them incredibly lush and green, with misty mountains and lots of waterfalls.

In both islands, the weather can change quickly, so you need to pack layers.

Which island is better in winter?

Although both islands are great all year round, the South Island might be my favourite island to visit in winter.

The weather in the South Island tends to be more settled in winter, so even though it’s colder you can get bright, clear days.

The North Island in winter tends to be very wet and grey.

It does snow in the South Island in winter, but this adds to its beauty.

I’m not into snow sports (although if you are, Queenstown and Wanaka have epic ski fields) but I love hiking through snowy landscapes. Even though a lot of alpine areas are inaccessible in winter, there are still some amazing walks to do.

Nature and wildlife

Both the North and South Islands have plenty of opportunities to see New Zealand’s wildlife.

The North Island has lush forests with kauri trees and coastal pōhutukawa trees, which are iconic symbols of New Zealand.

If you get the chance to head to Northland, I highly recommend stopping by the Waipoua forest to see Tane Mahuta, the largest living kauri tree, and the impressive kauri forest at the Trounson Kauri Park.

The North Island is home to native birds like kiwi, tui, and kereru. It also has a number of marine mammals, such as dolphins and whales.

You can take a whale watching tour from the centre of Auckland, and visit islands in the Waitematā Harbour to see rare birds on island sanctuaries.

On Tiritiri Matangi, an island in Auckland’s harbour, you can see little blue penguins, tieke/saddlebacks, and takahe.

There are also some very cool seal colonies in the North Island. My favourite is out by Cape Palliser near Martinborough. You can almost walk through the middle of the colony, and the rocks where they hang out.

The South Island is known for its penguins, seals, and the whales that migrate up the coast. It also has a number of unique bird species, such as the kea — the world’s only alpine parrot — and the exceptionally rare kākāpō.

Both of these bird species only live in the South Island.

One of the coolest wildlife experiences I’ve had in the South Island is spotting Hector’s dolphins. These tiny dolphins are found in the waters around the South Island, and I’ve seen them while walking the Hump Ridge Track in Fiordland and from Okarito on the West Coast.

They forage in fairly shallow water close to the shore, so you can even jump in the waves with them.

Kaikoura also offers unique dolphin spotting opportunities, and you can even go swimming with seals.

One of the things I love most about the South Island is the alpine regions. You can hike up to alpine tops and walk along mountain ridges for epic views — the North Island doesn’t really have this.

On the Kepler Track for example, there is almost a whole day of walking along the spine of mountains in Fiordland National Park. The views from up there are unparalleled.

Māori culture in the North and South Islands

Māori culture is more visible and more accessible in the North Island.

Some of the most important Māori cultural sites are in the North Island.

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Northland are a key part of New Zealand’s history. Cape Reinga at the very north of the North Island is the place where Maori spirits are said to depart for their traditional homeland. And in Rotorua, you can experience Maori villages, cultural performances, and traditional feasts.

Te reo Māori — the Māori language — is also more widely spoken on the North Island than on the South Island.

You’ll notice Māori cultural influences more in the North Island, where there are more Māori place names.

In contrast, many place names in the South Island are still British.

That being said, the South Island has its own unique Māori culture.

Pounamu, the traditional Māori greenstone which makes an excellent souvenir, is sourced only in the South Island. This makes the South Island home to incredible pounamu carvers and artists.

Food and wine

Both islands have incredible wine culture.

In the North Island, you can visit wine regions like Waiheke Island near Auckland, the Hawke’s Bay area, or Martinborough near Wellington.

In the South Island is Marlborough, the region which produces Sauvignon Blanc, the wine variety that put New Zealand viticulture on the map.

Near Queenstown is the Gibbston region, home to stunning Central Otago vineyards.

Lifestyle

The North Island is home to New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, as well as the capital city of Wellington. The island is also home to many other large cities, such as Hamilton and Tauranga.

Auckland is given a bad rap from people who don’t live there — to many New Zealanders, the city is an overwhelming metropolis, despite feeling like a mid-sized town.

Auckland does contend with more traffic than other places, and a higher cost of living, but it’s still close to great beaches and hiking, much like other towns across the country.

With its beachy vibe, there are also lots of great small towns in the North Island. I love the surf town of Raglan, and cute little places like Tairua and Whangarei Heads.

In contrast, the South Island has fewer large cities. Many of the towns and cities on the South Island have a more relaxed and laid-back lifestyle, with a focus on outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and fishing.

Hunting is a popular past time in the South Island, as there are so many wild goats, deer, and tahr.

You’ll see a lot of people dressed in camoflauge hunting gear, and hunting themed bars and restaurants, like the Five Stags Restaurant in Cromwell. South Island restaurants, like those in Queenstown, also often serve wild shot deer.

How history has shaped both islands

The North Island holds a lot of the history of Aotearoa.

Places like Auckland and Rotorua were significant to Maori for centuries before Europeans arrived.

The North Island was also the site of many battles between Maori tribes and British forces during the New Zealand Wars of the mid-19th century.

The Treaty of Waitangi, the founding document of New Zealand, was signed in the Bay of Islands in the North Island in 1840.

The South Island has a rich gold-mining history, and many of the towns and cities in the region were founded during the gold rush of the late 1800s.

There’s also a long history of deer hunting in the South Island, which is partially what led to the number of backcountry huts spread throughout the Southern Alps.

FAQs

What are the main differences between the North Island and South Island of New Zealand?

The North Island of New Zealand is known for its geothermal activity, Maori culture, and beautiful beaches. The South Island is famous for its stunning glaciers, fjords, and mountains. The South Island is also generally considered to be more rugged and wild than the North Island.

Which New Zealand island is better for hiking?

The North Island has beautiful coastal hikes and walks through broadleaf forest.

However, the South Island has more opportunities for climbing mountain peaks and enjoying alpine tops. The sheer variety of landscapes in the South Island, from the Southern Alps, to the Marlborough Sounds and beaches of Abel Tasman, make it an incredible place for hikes.

Which island is better for outdoor activities, the North Island or the South Island?

Both the North and South Island of New Zealand offer a wide range of outdoor activities, but the South Island is often considered to be better for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, and bungee jumping.

I personally prefer hiking in the South Island, as the mountains are more epic and the scenery is incredible — you can hike to see glaciers, alpine lakes, and snowy peaks.

The North Island is great for surfing, camping, and enjoying beaches and water activities.

What is the best way to travel between the North Island and South Island of New Zealand?

The best way to travel between the North Island and South Island of New Zealand is by ferry. The Interislander and Bluebridge ferries offer regular car ferries between Wellington on the North Island and Picton on the South Island.

The journey across the Cook Strait takes around 4 hours and is very scenic when entering or leaving the Marlborough Sounds.

Is one island better suited for families with children than the other?

Both the North and South Island of New Zealand offer a range of family-friendly activities and attractions. The North Island is better for beach activities and cultural experiences, while the South Island is better for outdoor adventures and wildlife experiences.

New Zealand trip essentials

SIM CARDS: I recommend getting a Skinny SIM card when you arrive

FIND WALKS AND HIKES: The DOC website is the best resource for all trails, scenic campsites, and mountain huts

BEST APPS: Campermate for finding campsites, Gaspy for saving money on petrol

LANGUAGE: English but be prepared for some local quirks

Thanks for reading this far! I hope this has helped show some of the key differences between the North and South Islands.

If you’re in the middle of planning your New Zealand trip, you might find these articles helpful as well:

North vs South: Which New Zealand island should you visit?

Is the North Island or the South Island better to visit?