New Zealand (or Aotearoa as it's known in the native Maori language) is an elongated group of islands in the Southwest Pacific. If there was one place on the planet you had to choose as a showcase for the wonders of the geological world, New Zealand would have to be it!
There are glaciers, volcanoes, geysers, active fault lines, sheer granite cliffs, limestone country, precious metals, great uplifted mountains, and a myriad of rock types – and that doesn’t even scratch the surface - no pun intended!
It’s not a competition as the whole of New Zealand is a spectacular place to visit. However, there are plenty of differences between the two islands, though as you’ll learn they are not mutually exclusive!
1. North or South?
The North Island is the smaller of the two main islands and is located where the Pacific Plate slides underneath the Indo-Australian Plate, resulting in many volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs. It's known for its gorgeous coastline, native forests, and geothermal hotspots.
The South Island is very different from the North Island. For starters it's larger than the North Island and generally considered more extreme in its beauty. Although it too has a stunning coastline with fjords plunging deep into the sea, it's best known for the many mountains that define its inland.
Hot Water Beach | Coromandel | North Island. Credit Miles Holden
2. Warmer or Cooler?
Generally, the North Island is warmer, as its northernmost regions are subtropical. For instance, in the far north is the beautiful Bay of Islands, where seabirds and dolphins flit across clear teal-blue waters, and secluded beaches are easily accessible. This subtropical zone is known as the “winterless north”, which may be a little generous! With more islands and white-sand beaches, it’s the ideal spot to go surfing, swimming, and scuba diving rather than in the cooler waters of the South Island.
Temperatures are indeed cooler on the South Island, with the mountainous regions being the coldest. You can go skiing in the Southern Alps in winter, test your limits by ice climbing Aoraki Mount Cook - the mountain Sir Edmund Hillary cut his teeth before climbing Everest - or helicopter onto Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier, to hike along their icy surfaces.
Hooker Valley Track | Aoraki / Mt Cook | South Island. Credit Miles Holden
3. Hot Springs or Icy Glaciers?
The North Island's central region (near the town of Rotorua) is known for impressive hot springs and bubbling mud pools resulting from the intense local geothermal activity. The South Island has hot springs in the mountains too - check out the glacier-facing Copland Trek pools - but they not as prevalent as in the North Island.
In the South Islands Southern Alps are plenty of glaciers to see. A truly special place on the West Coast is where lush temperate rainforests meet ancient glaciers as they flow towards the sea, creating a unique landscape of intense greenery and bluey-white ice.
Fox Glacier | South Island. Credit Miles Holden
4. Mountains or Beaches?
You’ll find incredible beaches all around the North Island, particularly in Northland, the Bay of Islands, and around the Coromandel Peninsula. While both islands have beautiful beaches, the North Island has more traditional white-sand beaches that are perfect for swimming.
The South Island is where you’ll find the Southern Alps, which includes glaciers and the country’s largest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook. It is truly a hikers paradise with hundreds of hiking trails including the world-renowned Milford Track.
Milford Sound | South Island. Credit Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters
5. Volcanoes or Fjords?
In the middle of the North Island, a little further south of Rotorua, you'll find volcanoes in Tongariro National Park. Said to be ancient gods, the three volcanoes: Mount Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe that stand proudly in the centre of the island. Hiking the Tongariro Crossing offers adventurers a thrilling trek through New Zealand's volcanic landscapes, with sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding national park.
In the southwest region of the South Island, you’ll find dramatic fjords that culminate in Milford Sound with stunning Mitre Peak - possibly New Zealand’s most photographed mountain. At the far north of the South Island you’ll find more fjords and several fascinating waterways at the picturesque Marlborough Sounds.
Blue Lakes, Tongariro National Park | North Island
6. More Populated or More Remote?
With a population of 5 million people and 60 million sheep, the North Island is the more densely populated of the two islands. Nearly 4 million New Zealanders reside in the north, whereas although geographically larger, the South Island has approximately 1.2 million people. The North Island is home to the larger cities such as Auckland and the capital city of Wellington, and definitely has a more cosmopolitan character. In the rugged beauty of the South Island's backcountry, you are always within minutes of finding solitude, whether on scenic roads or adventuring on the trails.
'Solitude' - Angelus Circuit | South Island
7. More Historical or Straight from a Movie?
The vast majority of New Zealand’s Maori population reside in the North Island, and to immerse yourself in Maori culture, head for Rotorua, where there are two key Maori experiences to be found. One is a cultural performance and traditional hangi (underground oven filled with hot stones) dinner at Mitai Village; another important spot is Te Puia, home of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, where Maori guides will show you around the geyser-rich lands of their ancestors. You'll get to explore both of these on our Ultimate North Island Adventure, learning the stories and traditions of New Zealand's people. Maori culture is a part of all New Zealanders' lives, and Maori is an official language of New Zealand.
Across both North and South islands it is impossible to miss the epic scenery made famous by The Lord of the Rings. Several recognisable scenes were filmed within eyesight of Queenstown and along many of the Active Adventures trail routes, including Saruman's Isengard! The true fan-favourite though is Hobbiton, found on the North Island. New and old fans alike shouldn't miss a most wholesome day out in the Shire.
Hobbiton | North Island. Credit Sara Orme
8. Chardonnay with Fish & Chips or Pinot Noir with Roast Lamb?
The South Island outdoes the North Island in terms of wine, mostly due to the country’s largest wine region, Marlborough. Located in the South Island near the Marlborough Sounds, this region has around 65 wineries producing some of the best Sauvignon Blanc you’ll find anywhere in the world. Canterbury and the Southern Lakes region near Queenstown are fast becoming world-renowned wine regions with plenty of wineries to explore and enjoy, specializing in exceptional Pinot Noir.
You’ll find more wine in the second and third-largest wine regions in the country, in the North Island's Hawke's Bay and Gisborne. Hawke’s Bay is known for its red wines such as Merlot and Cabernet Franc, while the area of Gisborne is known for impressive white wines, particularly Chardonnay.
The small port town of Mangonui in the far north is famous for its fish and chips, while Taupo is the only place in the country where you can enjoy geothermal-farmed prawns and other local delicacies. In Rotorua, you can deep-dive into Maori cultural traditions including sampling food cooked in a 'hangi', while the Coromandel Peninsula will treat you to delicious fresh oysters.
Meanwhile the South Island’s coastal township of Kaikoura is where to purchase the best freshly-cooked lobster or cray and of course, New Zealand is most famous for its sheep and lamb dishes, and you’ll find no better spot to enjoy some Canterbury lamb than in Christchurch. As well, as far as oysters go, they don’t get better (or bigger!) than Bluff oysters in Southland on the southern tip of New Zealand!
9. Adventure Thrills vs Relaxation
If you're in for an adventure, Queenstown is the place for you. Known as the 'adventure capital of the world' where you can do all the things “daredevil”, some of which will sound familiar, like skydiving, bungy jumping, and zip-lining. There are of course plenty of other places on the South Island for these kinds of activities – and in the North Island for that matter – but Queenstown is unmissable, so you might as well get them out of your system there. Most of our South Island trips stop off for a day or two in Queenstown, so you'll be spoilt for choice on what to do!
Jetboating in Queenstown | South Island. Credit Miles Holden
10. Which Island is for You?
If you want to explore a warmer climate with hot springs, mud pools, white-sand beaches, more opportunities to explore Maori culture, venture through larger cities, and enjoy more cosmopolitan comforts, then the North Island is for you. However, if adventuring through more rugged and remote landscapes of mountains and fjords, enjoying world-class food and wine, and experiencing all manner of outdoor activities, head to the South Island.
Combining an adventure from each island such as the Ultimate South Island Adventure with the Ultimate North Island Adventure, would allow you to experience both and pick a favorite between the two. If you can take the extra time to see both the North and South Islands, you won’t be disappointed - New Zealand is unmissable!
