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New Zealand’s South Island

Famous for its starring role as ‘Middle Earth’ in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, New Zealand’s South Island beckons you to discover its Oscar-worthy landscapes for yourself with an unforgettable holiday experience.

Admire breath-taking snow frosted mountain landscapes as you cross the Southern Alps on the famed TranzAlpine railway and gaze across the extraordinary Fiordland National Park on a cruise through the tranquil waters of Milford Sound.

Take in the colonial treats of the quaint Christchurch and Dunedin towns, and get your pulse racing in the adventure-sports capital of Queenstown… a New Zealand South Island holiday makes ‘mythical’ silver screen splendour an incredible reality.

Where to Book

  • Holidays to New Zealand

  • Riding Coronet Peak, Queenstown

  • Milford Sound view

  • Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, South Island, New Zealand

  • Fox Glacier, New Zealand

  • Lake Wanaka, South Island, New Zealand

  • Tunnel Beach, Dunedin

  • Treble Cone, Wanaka

  • Hiking Sealy Tarns Trail, Mount Cook

  • Road to Westhaven, Kahurangi - Nelson Tasman NZ

  • Aoraki Lake Pukaki, Canterbury - South Island Tourism/Rob Suisted

  • Dining with a view over Queenstown

  • Wharariki Beach scenery - Oliver Weber/Nelson Tasman NZ

  • Cardrona Distillery, Wanaka

Average temperature

Information below is based on average highest temperature for each month.

  • 23℃
  • 22℃
  • 20℃
  • 17℃
  • 14℃
  • 11℃
  • 11℃
  • 12℃
  • 15℃
  • 17℃
  • 19℃
  • 21℃
  • 12
  • 10
  • 10
  • 12
  • 11
  • 12
  • 12
  • 12
  • 10
  • 11
  • 10
  • 11

Information above is based on the average number of days which experience some form of rainfall for each month.

Rainfall

When to Visit

Below gives you information and a rating of the best time of year to visit.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Our Ratings

  • Most Recommended
  • Recommended
  • Highly Recommended
  • Not Recommended

Where to book


Mainstreet Travel Group are a UK-based, ABTA and ATOL protected tour operator specialising in cruises, tailor-made and multi-centre holidays. They work exclusively with the trade, offering competitive pricing, flexible packaging and reliable support backed by strong supplier relationships and industry expertise.

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When it comes to independent, tailor-made holidays by rail, Railbookers are the experts. Whether a luxury journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, an iconic trip through the Swiss Alps, combining a number of historic European cities or a coast-to-coast adventure across the USA or Canada, there’s a holiday for everyone.

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For nearly 80 years, Ramble Worldwide has been the UK’s leading independent walking holiday specialist. With 300+ curated small-group trips across the UK, Europe and worldwide, it blends iconic highlights with authentic discoveries, expert leaders and graded routes for all abilities – creating inspiring, purposeful adventures on foot.

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Travelpack are the trade-trusted flight consolidator and tour operator. With over 40 years’ experience, their UK experts craft bespoke B2B packages using the widest range of nett fares and products. From complex tailor-made itineraries to sports and cruise, they offer 24/7 support to help you sell more.

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