New Zealand's South Island
Upper South Island
While South Island resides just across the Cook Strait, a relatively short distance from its northern sister, the two could not be more different. The first inkling of such differences can be noticed upon initial entrance; the mellow green beauty that graced North Island has given way to the jagged snowcapped mountains and vast rocky shingle beds guiding powerful rivers that defines South Island. This introduction to the southern portion of the country is presented courtesy of the majestic Upper South Island, which does a fantastic job in prefacing the many wonders to come.
Find the sweet allure of South Island’s praised wine producer, Marlborough, along the northeast corner. To its west lies the sporting enthusiast’s paradise of Nelson, a lively town with a fine array of exquisite restaurants and artists. Nearby lie the wonders of the Abel Tasman National Park, with its spectacularly blue waters and golden beaches. In addition to its spectacular scenery and exciting opportunities in adventure, South Island boasts a collection of inhabitants deeply ingrained within the country’s folklore. Hardy and independent, these people are as dynamic as the topography itself.
