New Zealand’s South Island…where do we start!
Sharing the same beautiful Maori culture, jaw-dropping natural beauty, and a culture of kindness thanks to its Kiwi inhabitants as its North Island neighbour, New Zealand’s South Island is a destination in its own right.
A destination that is revered the world over as being one (if not the) perfect location to turn long-held fantasies into a reality, jump in a campervan and hit the open road!
If wanderlust is weighing heavy on your heart, this may just be New Zealand calling you to her, waiting to play host as you embark on an experience unlike you have ever had before. And her South Island may be the perfection base for your adventure of a lifetime…
What makes the South Island so unique?
1. Let’s go ‘summer’ skiing!
The South Island is home to five major ski resorts that typically operate between June – October, allowing those of us from the Western Hemisphere to access the elusive and elite ‘summer skiing’ club.
Sunny weather, awesome snow conditions, and a distinctly Kiwi après-ski scene all make skiing in New Zealand’s South Island an opportunity not to be missed – and boasts extra bragging rights to those back home to boot!
2. The landscape is ridiculous (in the best way)!
The South Island’s landscape is infamously untouched, with remote, sometimes inaccessible, and always mind-blowingly-gorgeous nature all around.
The indigenous flora and fauna are captivating, the roads reveal (beautiful!) insanity around every turn, and there is just something in the air that makes the energy of the South Island unlike anywhere else.
You really do have to see the South Island to believe it. Think the vlogs you are watching back home are doing it justice? Just you wait ‘till you get here…
3. So. Much. Choice!
Starting and ending your road trip in Christchurch is a tried and tested formula for a reason, with New Zealand’s Garden City offering botanical gardens waiting to be enjoyed, punting on the river for some footloose and fancy free relaxing, nostalgic tram rides begging to be journeyed, and a strategic location to either head on to the Southern Alps or fly to Auckland and get stuck into exploring the North Island!
You can swim with wild dolphins in Akaroa, check out the steampunk museum and go penguin spotting on the same day in Oamaru, and get your adrenaline fix in Queenstown.
Navigate the Franz Josef Glaciers by foot or by helicopter, and sample New Zealand’s finest Sauvignon Blanc in Kaikoura before you head to the ‘whale highway’ (this is really a thing!) and marvel as you go whale watching.
Something for everyone is an understatement – the South Island is the real-life embodiment of this sentiment.
Get ready for Summer Campers insider tips on travelling the South Island!
1. Make sure you pack the essentials!
New Zealand’s South Island is a rugged landscape peppered with the wildest and most epic scenery you could dream of.
And packing appropriately is essential to ensure you can enjoy Mother Nature’s playground safely, warmly, and comfortably!
Make sure you pack (broken in of course!) hiking boots – there is nothing worse than sore, bleeding feet after a day well spent exploring the South Island’s terrain, plus well-fitting socks and a hat and pair of gloves to keep your extremities nice and toastie.
Having a flashlight or a hat with an LED light will serve you extremely well, as will a well-stocked first aid kit and snack bars to stash in your pockets before you head out hiking.
Essential electronics to bring with you include adaptor plugs of course, and a bluetooth speaker is an expert forethought that can add a significant sprinkle of atmosphere and magic to your adventures.
A durable yet lightweight daypack to transport all your smug ‘essentials’ in is a no-brainer…and finally, don’t forget your swimmers!
2. Consider if you will need a self-contained campervan…and book accordingly!
A self-contained campervan is a campervan that is legally recognised – and certified – as such by the New Zealand government.
These campervans have it all, from freshwater tanks to toilets, and are eco-champions as they allow their passengers to leave zero footprint on New Zealand’s precious terrain.
And self-contained campervans unlock freedom camping – the opportunity and entitlement to park up and camp just about anywhere, and enjoy the untouched natural beauty in the most stunning and isolated of locations – for free.
Booking a self-contained campervan is as easy as selecting the self-contained option when searching for your perfect campervan. Give the Summer Campers booking search engine a whirl and see for yourself how easy it is to unlock the perks of freedom camping!
3. Know how to change a tyre (and have a grasp on basic survival skills):
When freedom camping it is super-wise to be super-prepared and have a decent understanding of essential car maintenance (such as changing a tyre) along with simple – and at the same time incredibly important – first aid practices.
Spraining your ankle while hiking can happen to the best of us, as can blowing a tyre in the middle of the night and the middle of nowhere.
Prior preparation for unforeseen circumstances can make all the difference, separating the mild inconveniences from the disasters.
Get on YouTube and save your top survival skills videos to be available to view offline, and pack out your first aid kit with the essentials, just in case.
Prior preparation never hurt anyone, and travelling with the peace of mind that you are prepared for any accidents along the way is a truly priceless feeling.
Ready to turn your dreams to explore New Zealand’s South Island into a reality?
New Zealand’s South Island is a playground like none-other, and truly is an epic backdrop for a few weeks (or months!) of exploring, adventuring, and living life on the wild side.
Getting started is quick and easy: Summer Campers are industry leaders in bringing the entire New Zealand rental market to customers from all over the world, in the form of one simple and easy to use booking search engine.
Check out your options here, and if you have any questions you would like personally answered by a member of the Summer Campers team, just hit up the WhatsApp link in the top right hand corner of our homepage and one of our travel experts will be in touch!
