What is the length of the South Island?
Sarah Cherry
Updated on March 20, 2026
South Island
| Te Waipounamu (Māori) | |
|---|---|
| Length | 840 km (522 mi) |
| Coastline | 5,842 km (3630.1 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 3,724 m (12218 ft) |
| Highest point | Aoraki / Mount Cook |
Also asked, how long does it take to drive around the South Island?
South Island estimated travel time:
The distance between Picton at the top of the South Island and Invercargill at the very bottom is 895 km and driving non-stop will take close to two days, no small feat. We recommend dedicating 7 days to 2 weeks in the South Island.
Also Know, why is the South Island called the mainland? The South Island is often called the Mainland (somewhat humorously) because it existed first according to Māori legend, and is larger than the North Island. About a quarter of New Zealand's four million inhabitants live in the South Island.
Similarly, what is the length of the North Island?
1,600 km
What is the longest river in the South Island?
Clutha River
Related Question Answers
How long does it take to drive from Picton to Queenstown?
approximately 9h 44mIs the South or North Island of New Zealand better?
1. You can bask on beautiful North Island white sand beaches, even in winter. New Zealand's climate gets warmer the further north you go, so the North Island is generally much warmer than the South. Head north of Auckland to the subtropical Bay of Islands and you'll stays warm even in the winter months!What should I not miss on the South Island of New Zealand?
Southland Region- 1) Milford Sound. Milford Sound is arguably the most awe-inducing place on New Zealands South Island.
- 2) Queenstown. I'll never forget the moment Andrew and I flew into Queenstown.
- 2.1) Wanaka.
- 4) Punakaiki.
- 5) Te Anau.
- 6) Blue Pools of Haast Past.
- 7) Lake Pukaki.
- 9) Lake Tekapo.
How long does it take to drive the whole of New Zealand?
How long does it take to travel the North island of New Zealand? Driving from the tip of Northland to Wellington without stopping and keeping within the speed limit and main highways is a journey of 13 hours.What is the distance between North and South Island New Zealand?
13.67 milesHow long is New Zealand from top to bottom?
The length of New Zealand from top to bottom using the most direct road route is: 2,090 km. 1,298 miles.How do I plan a trip to South Island?
Two Week New Zealand South Island Road Trip Itinerary- Day 1 – Christchurch.
- Day 2 to 3 – Lake Tekapo/Mt Cook.
- Day 4 to 5 – Fiordland.
- Day 6 to 7 – Queenstown.
- Day 8 – Wanaka.
- Day 9 to 10 – Franz Josef.
- Day 11 to 12 – Nelson/Abel Tasman.
- Day 13 to 14 – Kaikoura.
What is the average temperature in New Zealand in January?
January (along with February) is the hottest time of year throughout the country, with highs of around 77° F (25° C) in Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel, other parts of the upper North Island, and even some parts of the South Island, such as the area around Nelson, parts of Canterbury, and parts of Central Otago.Why the South Island is better than the North Island?
New Zealand's South Island is larger than the North Island and generally considered more beautiful. It also has gorgeous coastline, but it is best known for the many mountains and fjords that define its inland. Generally, the North Island is warmer, as its northernmost regions are subtropical.Is New Zealand bigger than California?
New Zealand is about 1.5 times smaller than California.Meanwhile, the population of California is ~37.3 million people (32.3 million fewer people live in New Zealand).
Is NZ sinking?
Parts of New Zealand are sinking at faster rates than others and rising faster, a scientist says. Analysis of the data shows that parts of New Zealand, like the North Island's east coast, have subsided by as much as 3mm a year for the past 15 years.Is Dunedin North or South Island?
listen) duh-NEE-din; Māori: Ōtepoti) is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand (after Christchurch), and the principal city of the Otago region. Its name comes from Dùn Èideann, the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland.Is New Zealand bigger than UK?
United Kingdom is approximately 243,610 sq km, while New Zealand is approximately 268,838 sq km, making New Zealand 10% larger than United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the population of United Kingdom is ~65.8 million people (60.8 million fewer people live in New Zealand).Is New Zealand a part of Australia?
New Zealand is not part of the continent of Australia, but of the separate, submerged continent of Zealandia. New Zealand and Australia are both part of the Oceanian sub-region known as Australasia, with New Guinea being in Melanesia. Australia also has the world's 9th largest immigrant population.What is New Zealand's climate like?
New Zealand's climate is complex and varies from warm subtropical in the far north to cool temperate climates in the far south, with severe alpine conditions in the mountainous areas. Most areas of New Zealand have between 600 and 1600 mm of rainfall, spread throughout the year with a dry period during the summer.Which part of New Zealand is White Island?
Bay of PlentyWhat is Taupo known for?
The Taupo region is world famous for its trout fishing, both on Lake Taupo and in the rivers. The Tongariro River is particularly famous for rainbow and brown trout.What is the South Island of New Zealand known for?
New Zealand's South Island is undoubtedly one of the world's most beautiful places, where golden beaches and dense rainforests border the snow-capped Southern Alps and adventures are endless.What is the biggest island in New Zealand?
South IslandWhat is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand?
ChristchurchHow far south is NZ?
Distance factsNew-Zealand is 2,826.84 mi (4,549.36 km) south of the equator, so it is located in the southern hemisphere. How far is it from New-Zealand to the South Pole? From New-Zealand to the South Pole, it is 3,392.82 mi (5,460.21 km) in the north.
How many islands are in New Zealand?
600 islandsIs the population of New Zealand growing or shrinking?
Recent migration tips population past 5 millionPopulation growth has been significant since 2013, with half a million people added to the population over the last six years. On average, the population has grown by 1.8 percent a year since 2013, driven by net migration.
Who is Tahu?
Ngāi Tahu, or Kāi Tahu, is the principal Māori iwi (tribe) of the South Island. Its takiwā (tribal area) is the largest in New Zealand, and extends from the White Bluffs / Te Parinui o Whiti (southeast of Blenheim), Mount Mahanga and Kahurangi Point in the north to Stewart Island in the south.What does Te Wai Pounamu mean?
the Māori name for South Island. Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers. Word origin. Māori, literally: water and greenstone, from the presence of this stone on the South Island.What is a mainland island?
They are called mainland 'islands' because they are defined areas that are isolated by fencing, geographical features or, more commonly, intensive management of pests. There are five major mainland islands that are managed by DOC. All have uniquely different ecosystems. Boundary Stream Mainland Island.How many rivers are in New Zealand?
New Zealand has more than 70 major river systems (30 in the North Island and 40 in the South Island) and numerous other streams and watercourses. Half of New Zealand's 425,000 kilometres of rivers and streams are small headwater streams6.Which of New Zealand's many fast flowing rivers is by far the longest?
This table shows the length in kilometres of New Zealand's longest rivers. The Waikato River in the North Island is the longest by far; the South Island's Clutha River comes second.New Zealand's longest rivers.
| River | Length (km) |
|---|---|
| Ngaruroro | 154 |
| South Island | |
| Clutha | 322 |
| Taieri | 288 |
