"Te Waipounamu" - Maori name for the South Island meaning the Greenstone Isle

The South Island is a place of true beauty. It is the Island with many of the iconic images of NZ such as the Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers, Milford Sound, and the stunning Abel Tasman national park. Almost the entire island is divided by the imposing mountain range of the Southern Alps, pretty much guarenteeing jaw dropping views whichever way you turn. Be sure not to miss the awe inspiring beauty of the great lakes such as Lake Wanaka and Lake Matheson, and ensure you make time to see the native wild life up close and personal such as Sea Lions and the large Fur seal colonies. For those who still have a thirst for danger do not fear as you will be getting close to Queenstown - the adventure capital of New Zealand. Pretty much think of an adventure sport and you can do it in Queenstown. You could jump 440 feet from a cable car suspended over rocky ravine with nothing more than some elastic round your ankles, or in the winter season tackle some amazing (and some of the most reasonably priced) skiing around.