Make a holiday rental home or rental property in New Zealand’s South Island your home away from home

New Zealand’s South Island attractions are endless. South Island is impossibly beautiful, with the Southern Alps running from tip to tale, separating the two coastal plains on the east and west of the island. The rugged, timeless landscapes are blessed with beautiful sunshine during the summer, when the secluded beaches are of huge appeal, and blanketed in thick snow during the winter, when visitors flock from around the world to enjoy the excellent skiing in New Zealand’s South Island.

Things to do in New Zealand South Island

The wonderfully friendly inhabitants of South Island and the impossibly beautiful, unspoilt countryside mean that New Zealand South Islands’ attractions are mainly focused on outdoor activities and the amazing wealth of nature that thrives here. Cycle tours along the fantastically quiet roads are absolutely sensational, and as long as you avoid cycling through the Southern Alps, the roads are wonderfully flat, as well as quiet and awe-inspiringly beautiful.

There are very few activities you cannot try from a New Zealand South Island property, with adventure sports absolutely thriving, especially in the south of South Island. Walking, cycling, mountain biking, bungee jumping, sky diving, mountain climbing, fly fishing, white water rafting and paragliding all thrive in the South Island, and you can enjoy some completely unique sports including golf cross, a mix of golf and rugby(!), and black water rafting.

However, if you would prefer a more relaxed tour from a New Zealand South Island property, the wineries and vineyards in the north of the island, around Marlborough Sound, are absolutely fantastic. Venturing further south, the mind-blowing landscapes of the Fjordland and Milford Sound will remain with you forever.

Skiing in New Zealand South Island is hugely popular. You can enjoy wonderfully scenic cross-country skiing in New Zealand South Island almost anywhere during the winter months, but for downhill skiing, the resorts around Queenstown and Wanaka are particularly good, with some fearsome pistes, as well as endless backcountry to explore with a local guide.

Places to visit in New Zealand South Island

There are far too many places on New Zealand’s South Island to mention, especially if you are looking for an impossibly picturesque getaway, far from anywhere. The adrenaline capital of New Zealand, and possibly the world, Queenstown, is a magnificent place to visit if you would like to enjoy hair-raising adventure, from bungee jumping to sky diving, caving to jet boating.

Half way down the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island is the largest city, Christchurch, known as the Garden City. The city is a hive of activity all year round, always lively, and with a calendar full of festivals, theatrical performances and international exhibitions.

Weather in New Zealand South Island

Due to the amazing geology of South Island, the climate is very varied. However, in general, South Island enjoys a temperate climate, with blissfully warm summers (December, January and February) and very cold winters (June, July and August). During the summer months, you can expect to bask in temperatures of more than 25?C during the heat of the day from a New Zealand South Island property, whilst winter temperatures can dip below freezing, which makes snow conditions and skiing in New Zealand South Island fantastically reliable.

Cheap flights to New Zealand South Island

New Zealand’s Christchurch International Airport (CHC) is located half way down the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, and receives flights from many airports throughout the world. Because a flight from the UK direct to Christchurch would take around 24 hours, there are no direct flights, meaning passengers must take a stop over in Los Angeles (LAX), Singapore (SIN) or Kuala Lumpur (KUL). There are a great range of airlines flying to New Zealand South Island, so finding a suitable flight should be easy.

Self-catering holiday homes in New Zealand South Island

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Coastal Sunshine Paradise - Ruby Bay Retreat, Nelson

— Property 431616
New Zealand South Island house rental - Sea views from kitchen and dining room
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 4,
House, 2 Bathrooms, near the sea, waterfront, pool
Rates - per property (GBP)
£88 - £110/night
£526 - £658/week
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Magnificent South Island beach house

— Property 86588
New Zealand South Island house rental - Kaiteriteri beach from Kaka point
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8,
House, 2 Bathrooms, beach, waterfront, garden
Calendar Updated 19 Nov 2009

Property Review

“A beautiful house in an idyllic location. Thank you for getting everything just right. Totally inspirational.” FAY family from Leicester, England. “Your house is fantastic, we feel very...
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Adorable cottage with spectacular lake and mountain views.

— Property 94579
New Zealand South Island cottage rental - Lake Ohau and Southern Alps.
1 Bedroom, Sleeps 2,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, mountain, waterfront, garden
Rates - per property (GBP)
£427 - £610/week
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Silence, seclusion, & mountainous beauty all to yourselves

— Property 70286
New Zealand South Island chateau / country house rental - Outside bath under the stars
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12,
Chateau / Country House, 4 Bathrooms, 1 Separate Toilet, mountain, rural, pool
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Renowned luxury country cottage on Akaroa Harbour with stunning views

— Property 70029
New Zealand South Island cottage rental - View of Kahikatea out to the sea
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 5,
Cottage, 1 Bathroom, near the sea, rural, garden
Rates - per property (GBP)
£132 - £154/night
£768 - £921/week
Calendar Updated 10 Nov 2009

Property Review

J.Z., San Francisco - 'Been many places and seen a lot - this is as good as it gets! Congrats on creating heaven on earth. ' A & D, Surrey, UK. -'The best B&B we have stayed ever in N.Z. Very...
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Central New Zealand location close to tourist attractions

— Property 404056
New Zealand South Island villa rental - Al fresco dining
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6,
Villa, 2 Bathrooms, near the sea, village, garden
Rates - per property (GBP)
£88 - £132/night
£548 - £702/week
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People call this place .... PARADISE!

— Property 8936
New Zealand South Island house rental - Master Bedroom
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 7,
House, 2 Bathrooms, near the sea, rural, jacuzzi
Rates - per property (GBP)
£100/night
Calendar Updated 22 Jul 2009

Property Review

We stayed at the Marlborough Sounds one week in December 08 and we really enjoyed it. The views, the vineyards, the weather and the apartement (spa bath, fireplace) itself were everything we...
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Little holiday home in a quiet location at the Golden Bay

— Property 506689
2 Bedrooms/1 Bathroom Cottage (Sleeps 4 near the sea, rural, garden, terrace, TV, DVD, parking, starting at £432/week
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Secluded Oceanfront Lodge on 22 Acre Olive Grove

— Property 208053
4 Bedrooms/4 Bathrooms, 2 Separate Toilets (Sleeps 12 near the sea, waterfront, garden, terrace, balcony, air-conditioning, internet access, satellite or cable, TV, starting at £1,535/week
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Holiday home in quiet location at the outskirts of Christchurch

— Property 517273
2 Bedrooms/1 Bathroom House (Sleeps 4 rural, garden, terrace, air-conditioning, internet access, satellite or cable, TV, DVD, starting at £72/night £378/week
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Luxury Alpine Townhouse on Anderson

— Property 234330
3 Bedrooms/2 Bathrooms Apartment (Sleeps 6 lake, resort, tennis court, garden, balcony, fitness room, internet access, satellite or cable, TV, starting at £88/night
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ALBERTINES - Stylish Elegance in Mountain Splendor

— Property 253448
3 Bedrooms/1 Bathroom, 1 Separate Toilet (Sleeps 6 beach, lake, garden, pets considered, internet access, satellite or cable, TV, DVD, barbecue, starting at £152/night
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Are you looking for farm life and beautiful beaches in New Zealand?

— Property 516840
1 Bedroom/1 Bathroom House (Sleeps 5 near the sea, rural, garden, satellite or cable, TV, parking, barbecue, starting at £50/night
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luxury flat in a paradisiac site - 10 min to the sea. Numerous acitivities

— Property 524746
1 Bedroom/1 Bathroom Condo (Sleeps 3 near the sea, rural, garden, air-conditioning, satellite or cable, TV, DVD, parking, starting at £126/night
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Ski Queenstown! Private Log Home with Lake and Mountain Views

— Property 185851
3 Bedrooms/2 Bathrooms House (Sleeps 10 lake, mountain, balcony, internet access, satellite or cable, TV, DVD, parking, barbecue, starting at £626/week