Self-catering holiday homes: New Zealand South Island house

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.

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