When planning a trip to New Zealand, one thing you’ll have to determine is whether you want to spend more time on the South Island or more time on the North Island.
No surprisingly, this is one of the most common questions I get from backpackers planning their time in New Zealand – which is better? It’s not quite that simple, and earlier this week over on Planit NZ I wrote a blog post that outlined 5 reasons why you should visit the North Island and 5 reasons why you should visit the South Island.
Head on over the Planit NZ to read the post (North Island or South Island New Zealand?), but here’s the Cliffs Notes version: One isn’t really better than the other, and which you choose to spend more time on depends on what you’re hoping to get out of your visit to New Zealand.
For something a bit different, I sat down today with a cup of tea on my deck here in Queenstown and filmed a video where I shared my thoughts on the highlights of visiting each island. If you’re in the planning stages of your trip to New Zealand, I reckon you’ll find it quite useful. Enjoy.
If you have any feedback on the video, or if you’d like to share your thoughts on which is better – please feel free to comment below!
Backpacking Matt 
MATT! This is SO helpful. I’m planning a trip to New Zealand next January, and was struggling to decide which island was where I should spend the most time. I think I’m getting a backpacker bus pass but will spend the most of my time on the South Island. THANKS SO MUCH!
Awesome – glad to know it helped you out.
Matt this is AWESOME! A buddy and I are planning to head around NZ for the next three months, and try and experience as much as possible of both islands! Cheers
Hey mate – glad you enjoyed! Not sure how you’re looking to get around the country, but if it’s a rental car or a hop on hop off bus I can get you a good deal! Cheers for the feedbacK!
Spent a month hitchhiking around New Zealand not so long ago. I spent most of that time on the south island, but after getting to the north I wished I had more time for things there. The reality is that New Zealand is all beautiful in its own way. Can’t wait to go back again.
Cheers
Thanks for the comment Jonny – yes whether you have a month, a week or a year in New Zealand, it’s never enough to see/do it all!
Suggestions on tour busses? I’m not looking for crazy party scene, but would like to meet people and see a lot of both islands. I have about 3 weeks…. also, the Stray bus tour starts many of it’s tours on the S. Island, but I think I want to begin in the north. Recommendations?
Meagan
Ps Trying to figure out where to fly into/out of
Hi Meagan – sounds like Stray is the right choice for you. You now just need to decide whether you want a hop on hop off bus or a full small group tour. I’d fly in and out of Auckland – and then you can consider grabbing a domestic flight from Christchurch up to Auckland to depart. I’ll write you an email now to see if I can answer more of your questions.
Thanks for the video. I am looking at doing a working holiday visa in New Zealand next year. Got me more stoked for it that I already am. Gonna do my best to get to both islands, here is hoping.
Cheers,
Hi Cory, glad you enjoyed! You’ll love NZ, and if you’re here on a WHV you’ll get to both Islands no worries. Enjoy the trip!
Thanks for this post Matt! I am headed to NZ in four days! I am incredibly excited for my journey.
My daughter is near you somewhere in Queenstown today staying at a hostel. She has been traveling and schooling throughout NZ for the past four months. Now that she is done with classes, she is off today on a bus toward the mountains. My fears for her have been a bit quelled by her words. She said that Queenstown was full of young people, had a wonderful feel to it. I cannot wait to be there to experience all of what NZ has to offer.
I am going to meet her in Auckland ad start our exploration north and follow your advice toward the south land. Most of our time will be on the South Island. Looking to hike, fish, explore, be amazed and overstimulated by the wonders of NZ.
Cant wait to be there! Just gotta make it through three more days and a few hours of plane travel…
See ya soon!
Mari
Hi Mari, thanks for the comment. Enjoy your visit to New Zealand!
Hi Matt, thank you for all you information. I am coming to New Zealand the beginning of May. I am meeting my daughter who is currently working at a winery outside of Auckland. We are spending 3 weeks traveling the North and South Island. I am in the midst of planning the trip and can’t decide weather to buy a tent and rent a car or rent a camper van. I am concerned about getting wet in a tent and like the idea of the comfort of a camper van but would like to save money wherever I can. Also, is 3 weeks enough time to visit both islands or should we stick with one? Your thoughts on renting a car and tenting or a camper van and our time frame would be so helpful.
Having just returned from a week long road trip around the South Island, spending most of my nights in a tent, I can say that this certainly has its advantages .. but also its disadvantages! The beginning of May is the beginning of winter, so you’ll be pretty cold on the South Island in a tent, and potentially in a campervan too. I’d suggest going for a campervan, and then the further south you get spending some nights in backpackers / hostels / b&bs to escape the cold!
We hired a motorhome which was just wonderful. Like a tortoise, you take your home with you everywhere. Great to have a hot cuppa looking out at Haass Pass. etc. Comfort is great.
Years ago we travelled bus and stayed in Youth Hostels (which we just recently did in England) and that was great too.
I have done lots of camping, but think we might sell the camper – however you can take it places where no one else can get in!!
New Zealand is a wonderful place to travel (as is Australia) – always enjoyed my experiences over the ditch.
I had limited time when I was backpacking in New Zealand so I only got to do South Island. Absolutely gorgeous but I’ll definitely return one day to do the North!
Yes! Look forward to welcoming you some day soon!
Hi Matt,
I am trying to talk myself into finally just doing it and booking flights to NZ for about 3 weeks from 2nd week in December. Was going to concentrate on one island so that amn’t travelling all the time but maybe after reading this should just do them both as know likely won’t make it back as very difficult too choose. Would 3 weeks be enough to not feel as if am on bus all the time if done the Stray bus? Would prob fly in and out of Auckland. Any tips would be appreciated.
Thanks
Sarah
Hi Sarah! DO IT. You won’t regret it!
Yah three weeks is really the bare minimum to see both islands. Fair concern not wanting to feel like you’re on the bus all the time, but as you mentioned you’ll probably only visit New Zealand once! The good thing about the drive from A to B in New Zealand, is it’s always full of epic views. So, even though you’d be doing a lot of travelling throughout the three weeks – that’s really part of experiencing NZ.
If I were you, I’d do the Stray Max pass, and finish your travel in Christchurch. From here, you can catch a cheap domestic flight back up to Auckland. This will add a couple more days to the time that you have in between Auckland and Christhchurch, so you can spend a couple extra days in any area you like best.
The Short Max pass is on sale now, so it’s a bloody good time to book! Drop me a line matt@backpackingmatt.com and I can help book through Planit NZ at a good price.
Hi Matt. That was great information dude, cheers! You confirmed my suspicions on each Island and I’m gonna use all of your advice hopefully haha. I’m heading out to NZ for at least a year at the end of May. Can’t wait to throw myself into it all.
HI MATT, I DESPERATELY NEED YOUR HELP. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE PLANNING TO TRAVEL TO NZ IN OCTOBER FOR 3 WEEKS. HE’S 55 AND I’M 50. WE ARE ALSO ON A BUDGET. I HEAR NZ IS VERY EXPENSIVE. WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST FOR SOMEONE OUR AGE FOR ACCOMMODATIONS, TRANSPORTATION, ACTIVITIES, ETC… WE ARE BOTH IN GOOD HEALTH AND VERY MOBILE. JUST DONT WANT TO BE IN OVER OUR HEADS TRYING TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS NOT AGE APPROPRIATE… CAN WE GET BOTH N AND S ISLAND DONE IN 3 WEEKS?
Hi Wendy, thanks for your comment and great to hear of your planned trip to NZ! I’ll drop you an email. 🙂
We did North and South in two weeks and that was just too busy. Three weeks much better. You can do it easily on a budget. Youth Hostels and hire car work well. Food isn’t expensive – you can cook your own in the hostels which is great.
We flew to Auckland, drove up to Bay of Islands – wonderful. Drove down through mid North Island. TAUPO – could stay here for weeks, love the hot springs. Spent time in Palmerston at the Rose Park – Third best in the world. My friends didn’t want to go and then we couldn’t get them to leave.
I always love the ferry trip from Wellington to Picton. Plane Museum at Blenheim – Peter Jackson from Hobbit and Lord of the Rings set this up (owns it I think). Have to visit at least one glacier. Don’t miss Hamner Springs
http://www.hanmersprings.org.nz/accommodation/backpackers-hostels.php?gclid=CKX97eealMcCFdgnvQodtvEPJQ
I loved Christchurch, but the earthquake has happened since I was there. I would visit just to support them. Queenstown, Milford Sound, Arrowtown – Port Chalmers – the list goes on. You won’t run out of interesting things to see and do.
It will still be cold in NZ in October.
Hi Matt! I found you on IG and I am planning a trip this September for two weeks. This video was very very helpful. Can I email you some questions after I browse around your blog? I am writing questions down as I search but one of the main things I haven’t figured out is transportation and which you recommend.
Hey Zeenat. Awesome to hear of your planned trip to NZ. You’re going to love it! I suggest, in no particualr order, either renting a car, doing a hop on hop off bus pass with someone like Stray NZ, or boooking a small group tour. Through Planit NZ I can get you a good deal on any of the above, so feel free to drop me a line at matt@planitnz.com with more questions – most happy to help!
Hi Matt,
I’m so glad I found your site. It’s really helpful. I’ll be in NZ for a week in September and I’m torn on places to visit. Do you think it’s doable to visit both N and S island? Any tips or places to visit with a short time span will be greatly appreciated!
Hey Ro – no, if you only have a week you should stick to one island or the other!
I figured that it would be too much to try to cover both. I’m leaning towards S Island- any must do activities on S Island? I’m traveling in from Sydney. So would you recommend flying into Queenstown and flying out of Christchurch?
Hey Matt,
Love your site and travel info.
My wife and I are planning a trip to NZ in December, preferably the South Islands. However, we are unsure are kinda apprehensive about it cause its winter and we’re unsure if it’ll be as scenic.
Hey Mark, December is summer in New Zealand and a great time to travel! Drop me a line if you need help planning your trip!
Hi Matt,
Have recently just booked a short holiday on my own to NZ. I am flying into and out of wellington due to cheap fares however I am more interested in just doing the south island as I only have about 9-10 days in total. I am not interested in doing a bus tour as I have done this a few times in europe now and I would rather do it on my own. Do you have recommendations for even a hop on/hop off bus allowing more independence?
Thanks, erin
Hi Matt,
Thanks for your great website. Absolutely helpful!!!
I’m coming to NZL in March. The plan is travelling by a campervan within 5 weeks through your beautiful country. I’m worrying about where to start with the journey. Thinking about starting in Christchurch and doing first the south before going up north cause it’ll getting cold down there.
What is your suggestion. Thanks for your help mate!
Cheers
Daniel
Hey Daniel generally I suggest a NORTH to SOUTH itinerary. IMO the South Island is more stunning, and consequently a better place to finish your adventure. We might be able to help you get a good deal on a campervan rental through Planit NZ. Drop us an email at hello@planitnz.comw with your details and we’ll see what we can find!
Hi Matt,
Just watched your youtube video on how to decide between the North Island vs. South Island.
I’m traveling to NZ for the first time in February, starting in Queenstown – because it looks amazing there! I’m about to book flights and wondering if its worth to fly into Christchurch and spend a few days there before traveling south to QT.
Let me know your thoughts! Thanks, Marla from Chicago
Hey Marla … if you have about a week or so, I’d suggest flying into and out of Christchurch and doing a route around the South Island from there, stopping in Queenstown of course! We can help you plan / book your trip through Planit NZ – check us out there! http://www.planitnz.com
Hi, looking to travel to NZ July 17 for just over 3 weeks. The idea was to hire a 4×4 and travel around doing different things and seeing as much as possible. Going to be with both parents and step brother so we would be looking for things to accommodate for both: some good adventure things but also to see some of the maori culture. Any information you can give would be great. Thanks
Hey Daniel, flick us a message on hello@planitnz.com. We’ll sort you out with a rental and help plan an itinerary!
Hi, I will be going to NZ for 2 weeks in January with my dad, sister, and spouse. Originally we wanted to do both islands in 3 weeks, but are now only able to stay for 2. Do you think it’s possible to do both islands in 2 weeks? We don’t want to feel rushed, but also don’t want to miss out on everything. We are from Canada so the flights will be long and it isn’t likely we would be returning anytime soon. We are interested more in nature than cities and would love to see waterfalls and spend time on the beach and in the water. If only one island is plausible, please let me know which one would be better for my interests. Thanks!
Hi, i’m planning on going NZ from Sydney for 6-8 weeks from mid feb to mid april, going to get a camper van.
Which way would you recommend travelling NZ? start in the north and finish in the south or the other way round?
Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!