New Zealand: North vs. South Island

(410 Reviews)
99% Recommended

Pam MacIntyre

Maple Grove, MN

Australia & New Zealand Specialist

New Zealand

In all my years as a Travel Professional, I’ve asked countless people, “What’s on your must-see list?” And without fail, New Zealand is always at the top! Honestly, who wouldn’t want to experience this majestic ...

New Zealand

I was fortunate enough to visit both the North and South Islands, and what I love about New Zealand is that it offers the perfect blend of laid-back charm and action-packed adventure, all while being nothing short of epic.

The country is home to endless national parks, a rich Maori culture, and unforgettable experiences like sailing through the sounds while dolphins playfully follow your yacht. And let’s not forget the awe-inspiring moment of witnessing a sperm whale off the coast of Kaikoura—talk about jaw-dropping beauty!

Oh, and did I mention wine? If you’re a fan of great wine (and who isn’t?), New Zealand is a must-visit for its world-class Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and more. How do I know? Because I couldn’t resist visiting a winery or two during my travels!

Honestly, I could go on and on about the magic of New Zealand, but if you’re reading this, you already know you want to explore this incredible part of the world. Let’s work together to create your perfect New Zealand adventure!

Australia

Let me start by saying, I’ve wanted to visit Australia since I was a child. Why, you ask? Well, to pet a kangaroo, of course! And yes, I did! Not only did I pet a kangaroo, but I actually fed FOUR at the same time. Childhood dream come true, right? And I can’t wait to go back for round two.

While I was in Sydney, I had the chance to experience the spectacular Vivid Sydney Festival, celebrating its 10th year. It was honestly WOW! Never in my wildest dreams did I think Australia would be so perfect to visit during their winter season. But coming from Minnesota, their “winter” felt more like our fall—absolutely ideal! Seeing the Sydney Opera House light up during the festival was something I’ll never forget.

And then there’s the Blue Mountains region—so lovely to explore on foot. From there, we ventured to Hunter Valley (known to the locals as "The Hunter"), where wine flowed freely, and every glass was more delicious than the last.

Australia’s size is truly hard to grasp until you’ve experienced it firsthand. To put it in perspective: Sydney would be in Florida, Cairns (home of the Great Barrier Reef) would be in Maine, Uluru (Ayers Rock) would be in Kansas, Melbourne would be in New Orleans, and Perth would be in Los Angeles.

Whether you're dreaming of visiting the world’s largest Great Barrier Reef, immersing yourself in Aboriginal culture, swimming with whale sharks, or gazing upon the majestic Uluru, Australia has endless possibilities waiting for you.

Let’s make your dream trip to Australia a reality—one that you’ll remember for the rest of your life!

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Whangarei Falls, Whangarei, New Zealand

Ideally when planning a trip to New Zealand you’ll be able to visit both islands as they are each amazing in their own right! However, I know that this is not always possible, especially if you’re adding it as a stopover after a vacation to Australia or Southeast Asia.

Here is a little insight into the islands if you must choose just one …

The North Island has a subtropical climate featuring world class beaches, rain forests, rolling hills and a beautiful country side along with volcanic activity. It’s here that you'll also experience the Maori culture. On the North Island is where you’ll find filming locations for The Lord of the Rings at the Hobbiton Movie Set.

The South Island is a more temperate in climate. Mountains and fjords, with wide open plains and braided rivers. This is home to well known Milford Sounds, however I have a hidden gem in my back pocket on where the locals go that we can build into your itinerary!

The North Island is more populated so you get more of an urban feel as opposed to the rugged isolation of the South Island. An interesting fact is, the accents do get a little thicker the further south you go. Although you can experience seeing glow worms on both islands, it’s on the North Island where the best experience will be at Waitomo.

The great thing about them both is that they each come with their own wine regions. This is a surprise to many of my clients, but wine in New Zealand is incredible! They do not mass produce like other countries, so they are not exporting frequently. Trust me when I say, I brought bottles home from here and that is a first for my travels. It really was THAT good!

There is so much to see and do in New Zealand from experiencing an International Antarctic Centre, to gazing onto the beauty of sperm whales, to sleeping on an island in the sounds, to touring the endless adventures of Queenstown. New Zealand truly is a must-see destination, and having experienced it for myself—trust me when I say it’s on most peoples bucket list for a very good reason!

In short if you're still wondering which should I choose:

If you want to explore 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.

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, then the South Island is for you.

I would love to send you to the island that best suits YOU … or hopefully send you to both islands.