Lonely Planet New Zealand's South Island

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• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Year: 2018
• Print ISBN: 9781786570826
• eBook ISBN: 9781788681384

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet's New Zealand's South Island is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Kayak and swim the crystal-clear waters of glorious Abel Tasman National Park; cruise through a world-renowned collage of waterfalls, verdant cliffs and peaks, and dark cobalt waters in Milford Sound; and hike on the Fox Glacier to see crazy valleys and spectacular ice flows. All with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of New Zealand's South Island and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet's New Zealand's South Island: Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights provide a richer, more rewarding travel experience - covering history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics Covers Marlborough & Nelson, The West Coast, Christchurch & Canterbury, Dunedin & Otago, Queenstown & Wanaka, Fiordland & Southland The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's New Zealand's South Island is our most comprehensive guide to the South Island, and is perfect for discovering both popular and offbeat experiences. Looking for wider coverage? Check out Lonely Planet's New Zealand for a comprehensive look at all the country has to offer. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more. 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia)eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones) Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing Important Notice: The digita

Christchurch & Canterbury

DAY TRIPS FROM CHRISTCHURCH

TRAMPING IN CANTERBURY

Christchurch

Around Christchurch

Lyttelton

Banks Peninsula

Akaroa

North Canterbury

Lewis Pass

Hanmer Springs

Waipara Valley

Central Canterbury

Selwyn District

Arthur’s Pass

Methven

Mt Somers

South Canterbury

Peel Forest

Geraldine

Timaru

Fairlie

Lake Tekapo

Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park

Twizel

Christchurch & Canterbury

Why Go?

Nowhere in New Zealand (NZ) is changing and developing as fast as post-quake Christchurch. The scaffolding is coming down, the hospitality scene is flourishing and the central city is once again drawing visitors to its pedestrian-friendly streets.

A short drive from the city, Banks Peninsula conceals idyllic hidden bays and beaches that provide the perfect backdrop for wildlife cruises, with a sunset return to the attractions of pretty Akaroa. To the north are the vineyards of the Waipara Valley and the relaxed ambience of Hanmer Springs, while westwards, the Canterbury Plains morph quickly into the dramatic wilderness of the Southern Alps.

Canterbury’s attractions include tramping along alpine valleys and over passes around Arthur’s Pass, and mountain biking around the turquoise lakes of Mackenzie Country. During winter (June to September), attention switches to the ski fields. Throughout the seasons, Aoraki/Mt Cook, the country’s tallest peak, stands sentinel over this diverse region.

When to Go

ACanterbury is one of NZ’s driest regions, as moisture-laden westerlies from the Tasman Sea dump their rainfall on the West Coast before hitting the eastern side of the South Island. Visit from January to March for hot and settled weather, with plenty of opportunities to get active amid the region’s spectacular landscapes.

AThe shoulder seasons of October to November and March to May can be cool a...

Table of contents

• Table of Contents
• Welcome to the South Island
• The South Island’s Top 16
• Need to Know
• What’s New
• If You Like
• Month by Month
• Itineraries
• Getting Around
• Hiking on the South Island
• Skiing & Snowboarding
• Surfing, Cycling & Extreme Sports
• Eat & Drink Like a Local
• Travel with Children
• Regions at a Glance
• Christchurch & Canterbury
• Dunedin & Otago
• Fiordland & Southland
• Queenstown & Wanaka
• The West Coast
• Nelson & Marlborough
• Understand the South Island
• New Zealand Today
• History
• Environment
• Māori Culture
• The Arts
• Directory A-Z
• Transport
• Behind the Scenes
• Our Writers