The Supreme Manual to New Zealand’s South Island in Winter season
19 min read
Examine out our supreme tutorial to discovering the South Island of New Zealand in winter, which include foodstuff, wine, snowboarding, hikes, road journeys, and a lot more.
As cliched as it could possibly sound, New Zealand is a wintertime wonderland. There are so several points you can for the duration of New Zealand’s South Island in winter season, it’s just a make a difference of choosing your choice.
The South Island is with no a question the most stunning in New Zealand. But through wintertime, most things to do and cities gradual down, supplying you the prospect to explore without the stress of not obtaining accommodation or obtaining a seat at a cafe.
Winter is a specific time in New Zealand with Queenstown and Wanaka getting the gateway to the slopes as particular deliver will become ripe for finding.
While the North Island of New Zealand also has some great alternatives for things to do in winter, we’re concentrating on the much more rugged and wild South Island for this write-up. Never miss out on an epic winter season getaway on the South Island of New Zealand!
Winter in New Zealand is dreamy
Issues to Do in New Zealand’s South Island in Winter season
Despite the fact that temperatures fall and the days get shorter, the South Island’s scenery is as good as it ever was with blue-hen days, to drizzles of snow, to entire white-outs. Winter season is a gorgeous time of the yr to get out and discover!
Snow Athletics in New Zealand’s South Island
New Zealand is a mecca for snow sports with a large wide variety of groomed slopes to beautiful backcountry landscapes. The South Island comes alive throughout winter season which spans from June to Oct, relying on where you go.
There is no lack of slopes to shred in New Zealand, it just will come down to which one particular and where by you want to strap on the boots. What can make the South Island so good for snowboarding and skiing is that everything is so near jointly.
You can board a morning session on Coronet Peak and end the working day on The Remarkables, it is just the best position to spend your wintertime times although in New Zealand.
Coronet Peak
Located amongst Queenstown and Arrowtown, Coronet Peak is the best position to begin your time off in the snow.
With some of the best groomed runs in New Zealand, Coronet Peak is the put to go if you want to take it straightforward though experiencing stunning sights of the Southern Alps and the rolling inexperienced hills of Queenstown.
Test out our guidebook to the very best issues to do in Queenstown.
Treble Cone
Treble Cone is situated only an hrs push from Mount Aspiring National Park in close proximity to Wanaka. People who head to Treble Cone seek out far more technical operates when runs are significantly steeper.
Treble Cone will take the cake for the greatest surroundings as Lake Wanaka, Roys Peak and Mount Aspiring are all noticeable from the spectacular ski fields of Treble Cone.
Cardrona
Only a 45 moment drive out of Wanaka is Cardrona and about the similar from Queenstown. Cardrona is best for these who love a challenge with a snowboard park and a lot of intense runs.
Cardrona is also rather chilled out for all those who want to espace the chaos of Coronet and the Remarkables.
Do not miss our full manual to the ideal matters to do in Wanaka.
Queenstown’s well-known mountain backdrop is earth famed and for great factors, but did you know that skiing and snowboarding is absolutely possible up there?
The Remarkables known to most as ‘The Remarks’ is a culmination of groomed operates and terrain parks located less than Double Cone Peak. The Remarks are only a 30 minute generate from the centre of Queenstown making it ideal for a day out on the slopes.
Mt Hutt
When you think of Christchurch, you may be pondering purely of coastal vibes, farm land and superior foodstuff? Only 1.5 several hours generate west from Christchurch, Mt Hutt ski area is at your doorstep. Mt Hutt has all the things from bunny hills to seasoned ski operates in its selection of ski hills.
Temple Basin
Significant up on the Arthur’s Go, Temple Basin may perhaps glance to be in an oddly peculiar position but it genuinely couldn’t be anymore scenic than this with Mount Rolleston specifically across the valley.
Temple Basin is a tranquil ski field but that gives you more area to your self as most head to the more available Mt Hutt.
New Zealand’s wonderful mountains are even a lot more epic in winter season!
Foodstuff & Wine
If it’s not skiing and snowboarding, it’s wine to take pleasure in in New Zealand’s South Island in winter. New Zealand has some of the most famous vineyards in the Southern Hemisphere and the wine by itself is just so delectable!
So the challenging component is deciding on wherever you want to go wine tasting.
Winter on the South Island brings points down a number of notches in phrases of crowds so if you appreciate a very wine, there are lots of spots to choose from so I have detailed the finest wine areas on the South Island.
Wine
Malborough Region
Inside of array of Abel Tasman Nationwide Park, a mecca for mountaineering trails and kayaking comes the stunning Malborough wine location.
The Malborough area is not only just one of the most renowned wine regions in New Zealand but in all probability in the world and in shut proximity to Christchurch and Wellington. 1 matter that wont permit you down is selection of which cellar and vineyard to go to.
The Malborough location has above 600 personal growers who mainly mature Sauvignon Blanc grapes with various other grapes grown to give a myriad of solutions to preserve you tasting all working day prolonged.
Like most locations in New Zealand, the Malborough location presents some of the finest meals and most of it can be eaten at cellar doors accompanying the vineyards. Guide a comprehensive working day wine tour to experience the best of the location!
Kawarau Gorge
From the slopes of The Remarkables ragged but lovely Kawarau Gorge is a wine drinkers paradise. I are unable to imagine of a extra stunning put on the South Island to go wine tasting.
Just one moment you can be shredding the slopes of the Southern Alps and the up coming you could be bundled up next to a fireplace consuming some of New Zealand’s most precious wines.
Kawarua Gorge is a shorter 30 moment generate from the centre of Queenstown heading in the direction of Cromwell and Wanaka. It’s a stunning spot on a winter season getaway in New Zealand.
Food
The South Island of New Zealand is practically a spot for foodies from vegetarian to almost everything in involving. The additional you sway from the metropolitan areas, the much better the develop gets. And food amazing even during winter in New Zealand!
Owning travelled to New Zealand four times, I have had a pretty excellent probability to sample some of the finer meals on give ranging from sector food items to cafe foodstuff and below are the very best areas to having the most salivating foods on the South Island.
Motueka
The local climate in Motueka and surrounds is just unreal thinking about where by it is situated. Motueka is ideal at the suggestion of the Southern Alps and correct subsequent to Tasman Bay.
Motueka gets just the excellent sum of rain and sunshine building it a person of the very best places to improve fruit, veggies, dairy and a source of seafood.
To certainly sample Motueka’s greatest deliver the Motueka Sunday Markets offer an array of domestically grown food items, wines and treats.
Central Otago
The Central Otago area is a haven for food at the comprehensive reverse end of the island in contrast to Motueka. There really is no precise town in actuality it is the complete space that produces a huge total of New Zealand’s fruit source with cherries, apricots, peaches, apples to name one particular or two.
It can get pretty chilly in the Otago, in particular on a winter’s day and the ideal deal with is a beautiful pie from one particular of the oldest bakeries in New Zealand, Jimmie’s Pies situated in Roxburgh. The top selection is an organic and natural apricot and hen pie, yum!
Akaroa
It is seriously hard to imagine, but Akaroa is only a 3 hour flight from my home in Sydney, Australia and I am in foodie heaven! Akaroa is a lot more than just getting a very chilled out position for browsing, stand up paddle boarding and mountaineering trails, food is a major detail right here for these a little put.
Akaroa is seriously influenced by France thanks to an early attempt at French settlement upon its shores with no accomplishment leaving traces of French historical past in this specific town.
Together Akaroa’s most important street, there are so numerous spots that all have a pretty French experience to them with bakeries, cafes and places to eat dotted just about everywhere you see.
Seafood on the Financial institutions Peninsula is also some of the most effective on the South Island and can normally be sampled at area pubs or supermarkets.
If you want to get a espresso repair, you’ll have zero challenges doing so in Akaroa as the odor of roasted beans wafts down the key street.
Bluff is the furthest position south you can go on the South Island with no driving into the Tasman Sea. Bluff is renowned for its oysters and to celebrate this tasty cuisine, a competition is held at the start of winter season.
The Bluff Oyster & Food items Competition is one of the ideal food items festivals in New Zealand, so if you materialize to be adventuring all-around The Catlins, Fiordland or Rakiura get to this festival ASAP!
Breathtaking Akaroa, South Island
South Island Road Excursions in Wintertime
Winter season street outings in New Zealand can be just as pleasurable as summer months highway outings! Why could possibly you be asking?
New Zealand’s South Island roads in the winter season are so significantly quieter with much less buses, vehicles, and motorhomes generating it simpler for you to get from a person area to an additional, apart from Queenstown in which it is occupied all calendar year spherical.
Relying on which South Island New Zealand airport you fly into, there will be lots of alternatives on exactly where to go and what to see on your road vacation.
The Lindis Go, epic even in the course of winter in New Zealand
Street Trips from Queenstown
From Queenstown there are just so numerous alternatives on exactly where to go so for the commence of your road journey, foundation you in Queenstown for the initial 4 days. This will give you an chance to investigate Milford Seem, Glenorchy, Central Otago and even the Catlins.
Right after Queenstown, head to Wanaka through Arrowtown and Cardrona in excess of the Crown Pass and make way to Mount Aspiring Countrywide Park wherever Rob Roy Glacier can be hiked to.
Wanaka to Haast is 1 of the greatest and most scenic drives in the South Island with various places to end and take a look at waterfalls these as Thunder Creek Falls, Roaring Billy Falls and Fantail Falls.
The moment you get on to the West Coast, landscapes drastically adjust as you exit the stunning Southern Alps. There are situations the place you can capture glimpses of The Tasman Sea and other periods you will be driving by means of unlimited stretches of street which weaves and winds by means of lush indigenous forests.
Knights Position Lookout is amazing for 180 diploma views of the rugged West Coastline.
Fox and Franz Josef Glacier are just one of the primary motives for website visitors on the reduce West Coast as the Westland Tai Poutini Nationwide Park continues to be to be a person of the most rugged, untouched landscapes in New Zealand.
The Southern Alps tower over to more than 3,000 metres creating large slopes and mountains of native forests, glacial rivers and the iconic Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier which is divided by a 30 moment drive meaning both equally can be frequented in a person day on your own.
E book your take a look at to both of those glaciers via helicopter on Get Your Information.
North of Franz Josef Glacier, the road continues by the sleepy farming cities of Whataroa and Hari Hari adopted by the coastal city of Hokitika which is popular for its driftwood and greenstone.
Once you get to Kumara Junction, there are two alternatives on which road to acquire. There’s Arthur’s Go which is a single of the most scenic mountain passes on the South Island.
Or you can continue to travel up the West Coast to Punakaiki and stop up in Kahurangi Countrywide Park or Abel Tasman Countrywide Park. So we have two selections so below are the two!
Arthur’s Move connects the West Coast to Canterbury by means of the strange but attractive city of Otira, where by theres a pub there with a actually large statue of Gandalf and a dragon.
Otira onwards, you begin the travel along the banks of the Otira River to the Otira Viaduct Lookout which is very seriously an impressive piece of engineering given its site.
Kea are rather common close to the city of Arthur’s Pass specially at Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall so be positive to go on the short hike that leads from the nearby city, but really don’t let your fingers get in close proximity to them as they pack a punch with their beak!
The rest of the drive usually takes you earlier Craigieburn Forest Park in which snowcapped peaks are almost everywhere you glance adopted by Castle Hill is a scene from The Chronicles of Narnia. From Springfield, the travel to Christchurch requires about 1 hour.
Spectacular hiking trail close to Aoraki Mount Prepare dinner throughout a South Island wintertime
Flying into Christchurch
Traveling into Christchurch on the South Island definitely has its benefits if you are a seashore kind of man or woman and even if you really like the mountains. All the things is so close to Christchurch in point you can see snowcapped peaks from a lot of streets of Christchurch.
Selecting which way to go can be pretty a predicament, but not to get worried, I have it all sorted. Get your motor commenced and cruise on to the mountain city of Methven which is in close proximity to Mt Hutt Ski Resort.
Trying to keep the mountain theme alive it is time to head to Aoraki Mount Cook by way of Lake Tekapo which is well known for its lakeside church, you’ll obtain out why when you see some of the pictures taken there.
The drive to Aoraki Mount Prepare dinner Village is about 2 several hours through the edge of Lake Pukaki which is 1 of the most stunning South Island drives when the temperature is apparent.
Gorgeous Southern Alps scenery.
As soon as in Mount Cook dinner Village, there are a multitude of walks and treks to undertake this kind of as the Hooker Valley Stroll, Tasman Glacier Stroll and the Sealy Tarns Lookout Wander.
Onwards to Twizel and the amazing landscape of Lindis Pass brings you to Tarras, Cromwell and onto Alexandra. To practical experience Central Otago, take Highway 8 along the Clutha River.
Dunedin is 1 of the most unique cities in New Zealand in terms of its heritage and architecture and its shut proximity to the Otago Peninsula which is just magical. I would highly recommend carrying out the Sandymount Reserve hike for stunning views over the hills and coastlines of the Otago Peninsula.
Mountains are only 90 minutes from the coronary heart of Christchurch.
The Northern Winter season Road Journey Possibility
One more fantastic choice if you are based mostly in Christchurch is the road north. Kaikoura is 2 several hours north of Christchurch and features some of the most unique sights on the South Island with pristine shorelines, seal colonies backed by the Kaikoura Ranges.
Kaikoura offers the possibility to kayak with wild dolphins, hang out with wild seals or the option to go hiking to Fyfe Mountain or greater in the Kaikoura Ranges.
Further north is Blenheim which is a attractive wine location just inland from the Cook dinner Strait. Blenheim is the gateway to the Marlborough wine region wherever 148 wineries are centered in the Wairau Valley, so there’s normally a very great probability you will locate a fall that you want although in Blenheim.
Picton lies just outside of Blenheim to the north and is acknowledged to most as the port town which ferries you from island to island nonetheless there are a few factors that you can do in Picton other than jumping on a ferry and fleeing north.
Picton is the most effective way to discover the Queen Charlotte Sound and the hike identified as the Queen Charlotte Observe which can be hiked at this time of year thanks to the a great deal calmer temperature ailments at the top rated of the South Island. The Queen Charlotte Observe begins at Ship Cove.
Picton to Nelson is about a 1.5-hour push by way of a couple mountainous and forested parts. Nelson is a charming seaside town certainly value at the very least 2 days to take a look at.
Nelson onwards you can decide to push to Motueka and on to Marahua which is the best spot to rent a kayak or start out the Abel Tasman Coastal Keep track of. Highway 60 heads straight up to Collingwood in which Golden Bay and Cape Farewell can be explored from.
You could even just take the ferry over to the North Island of New Zealand and keep on your highway journey north if you have time!
New Zealand in a image.
Finest Winter Cities in New Zealand’s South Island
Winter season in the South Island, New Zealand commonly usually means a lot of little cities slow down. So there are much less crowds, better parking, and less costly accommodation.
There’s just one thing about New Zealand cities in the wintertime in particular those people that have stunning mountain backdrops. Here’s a record of the greatest cities to go to for the duration of winter in New Zealand.
Arrowtown
Not considerably from the hustle of Queenstown and a 20-minute drive from Coronet Peak, Arrowtown is perfect for escaping the from time to time insane Queenstown, and you can do so by heading in for a mouth watering lunch or late afternoon drink at places like the Fork and Tap or the array of bakeries that Arrowtown has.
Arrowtown’s wealthy heritage with gold makes this town a worthwhile take a look at with an eerie backdrop of conifers and snowcapped peaks.
Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier Township
Fox perhaps has the ideal backdrop in the whole of New Zealand for a winter getaway, with lush forest coated mountains only a brief flight from the peaks of Mount Tasman and Aoraki Mount Cook dinner.
Fox is a smaller sized, quieter edition of Franz Josef and possibly a lot much better with a helpful local community of locals, cafes and an all-spherical fantastic vibe which is quite a wonderful area to stop by all through the wintertime months.
Glenorchy
Glenorchy in wintertime, in reality any time of calendar year, will get the award for most effective city in New Zealand. Glenorchy is just magical and the even more you push alongside the edges of the Richardson Mountains, the additional you are taken away by the under no circumstances ending scene of mountains, rivers and forests.
Glenorchy mainly is the town that no one is aware about and it is only 1.5 hrs out of Queenstown.
Motueka
Motueka is the position to go when you just never want to be in the chilly. Motueka’s placement on the map presents it ideal weather conditions all 12 months round and the probabilities of receiving frostbite are fairly slim as the heat temperature just retains on holding on.
Methven
90 minutes from Christchurch is the smaller ski town of Methven. Even though Methven is not really located amongst the mountains, it’s pretty damn near with only a 25-moment push to the slopes of Mt Hutt.
Methven has a knack for naming its pubs just after colors with the Brown Pub and the Blue Pub which are generally complete of skiers and snowboarders following a very long day of shredding up on the slopes of Mt Hutt.
If you are heading south to Queenstown or Wanaka through the inland scenic route, Methven will almost assure to have a mattress for you.
Minimal Akaloa
If Christchurch doesn’t do it for you, why not head out onto the Banking companies Peninsula to check out some of the tiny seaside towns this sort of as Very little Akaloa and Akaroa only 2 hrs generate from the heart of Christchurch.
Little Akaloa does not present considerably in conditions of cafes and eating places but it does offer tranquil shorelines surrounded by rolling environmentally friendly hills.
It is the best location for a peaceful swim among the the safeguarded bay.
Oban (Stewart Island)
Oban is fairly a length from the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps but at times it is okay to modify items up. Oban is the main town positioned on Raikiura (Stewart Island) and is acknowledged for getting a quite fishing town with only a smaller populace of persons residing there.
It is just one of the furthest places you can go south which needs crossing the rough Foveaux Straight by ferry but the moment you are there you will see why it is a have to-take a look at.
Oban is common for spotting kiwis (the chook) and also a fantastic put for spotting the Aurora Australis (southern lights).
MacDonald Lake throughout dawn.
Ideal Shorter Wintertime Hikes
A large amount of huts for the duration of the winter months become inaccessible except if you are geared up with the correct equipment to obtain them these kinds of as crampons.
Hiking in wintertime is widespread in the South Island and can be very amazing with refreshing coatings of snow among rugged peaks.
Many of New Zealand’s Countrywide Parks at least have 1 or 2 hikes open up during the winter season. Tracks and trails turn out to be much less crowded allowing you to appreciate your environment without having the inconvenience of becoming about other people today.
Hooker Valley Glacier Walk
Distance: 8 kilometres
Start off / End: Whitehorse Campground
Time: 4 to 5 hrs return
Trouble: Easy to reasonable
This is the most effective straightforward hike you can do in Aoraki Mount Cook Countrywide Park without the need of it remaining also intense. This return keep track of usually takes you to the foothills of the 3,000 metre big Mount Sefton as it weaves and winds its way along the Hooker River which demands numerous swing bridge crossings.
At the midway position of the path, be rewarded with amazing views of Hooker Glacier Lake, typically crammed with chunks of ice that has cracked off the Hooker Glacier whilst Aoraki Mount Cook gets the centre piece to the landscape.
Kaikoura Peninsula
Distance: 8 kilometres return
Get started / End: Kaikoura Peninsula Carpark
Time: (many ending points)
10 minutes to Lookout Stage
45 minutes return to Whalers Bay Lookout
1 ¼ hours return to South Bay Lookout
1 ¾ hrs return to South Bay
Trouble: Easy
Kaikoura hosts some of the greatest views alongside the east coastline of the South Island which for some delivers again recollections of climbing coastal elements of Eire.
Sights of the Kaikoura Ranges are amazing as perfectly as the sights appropriate down to Goose Bay and past the escarpment of the seabound cliffs to the north. The wander starts at the Seal Colony immediate from the carpark.
Lake Matheson
Length: 5 kilometres
Begin / Finish: Café, 5 kilometres west of Fox Glacier township
Time: 1 to 1 ½ hours
Problems: Easy
Lake Matheson is perhaps the most well-liked stroll on the West Coast of New Zealand and is open up all 12 months spherical. Only having 1.5 hours, the walk all around Lake Matheson is a blend of trails via dense forest with a viewing wharf that frequently reflects the mountains of Aoraki Mount Cook dinner and Mount Tasman.
Devils Punchbowl
Distance: 5 kilometres return
Get started / End: Arthur’s Pass township
Time: 50 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
This gorgeous hike is positioned at the bottom of Arthur’s Move and is a location the place Kea are generally noticed frolicking all over. Devil’s Punchbowl is an amazing 131 waterfall that is made up of a shear drop into the abyss down below.
Castle Hill / Kura Tawhiti
Distance – No established length
Begin/ End – Castle Hill 55km east of Arthur’s Pass
Time – at personal pace
Trouble – Simple to average
If you are driving from the West Coastline to Christchurch by way of Arthur’s Pass, there is a superior opportunity you will detect a hill included in a multitude of rock formations that are popular for staying a established on The Chronicles of Narnia motion picture.
The rocks are extremely weathered because of to them remaining composed of limestone. There is no established strolling keep track of so come to feel cost-free to go at your individual tempo or wander where by you like.
Hiking in the direction of Aoraki Mount Cook.
What else is on in the South Island throughout Winter season?
The Queenstown Winter season Festival is a full ton of freezing chilly entertaining and as you likely guessed, dependent in the adventure and adrenaline cash of New Zealand, Queenstown.
Occasions held at the wintertime pageant can be pretty nuts with daring swims in Lake Wakatipu, dog sled races on Coronet Peak to songs remaining performed are living on a stadium with the Remarkables as a backdrop.
Sizzling Swimming pools fed from normal springs are also so calming in Winter. Onsen Warm Swimming pools close to Queenstown, Tekapo Springs Hot Pools in the vicinity of Lake Tekapo, and Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools in close proximity to Hanmer Springs are some of the best incredibly hot pools to pay a visit to for a pleasant soak following experience routines in the wintertime.
Stargazing can be an all 12 months round detail but throughout wintertime, night skies tend to be a whole lot clearer creating it best for stargazing and astrophotography.
Just one of the most effective places to go stargazing is Aoraki Mount Cook dinner National Park as it is located in a Dim Sky Reserve where by there are strict constraints to infrastructure resulting in light-weight air pollution.
It is a pretty huge reserve coming in at 4,300 sq. kilometres so there will be no lack of locations to prevent and appreciate the astounding Milky Way.
I hope you savored my guide to checking out New Zealand’s South Island in wintertime. Did I skip everything? Have any comments? Go away a comment below and permit me know.
