British passport holders can enter New Zealand as a visitor for up to 6 months on arrival without a visa.
The dominant feature of New Zealand’s stunning South Island is the Southern Alps, mountains which from the island’s backbone, and create a dramatic landscape of glaciers, lakes, rivers and fiords. To the east of the mountains lies the fertile patchwork f the Canterbury Plains, whiles the rich soils to the north have lent themselves to one of the world’s finest wine-producing regions, Malborough. There’s a real flavour of home in the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch, and in Scottish-influenced Dundedin, whilst Queenstown is the activity capital, which challenges all the senses.
The South Island is considered a temperate climate, and the best time to visit is summer (Dec-Feb) when temperatures average 20-30°c. The winter months (Jun-Aug) are mild, typically around 10-15°c; although the alpine areas and ski resorts experience regular snowfall and below zero temperatures. The west coast is wetter than the east coast, much of which lies in the rain shadow of the Southern Alps.
