New Zealand’s South Island is experiencing a surge in Australian visitor interest, with new data showing a 23 per cent increase in bookings year on year.
The boom comes as travellers seek dramatic natural landscapes, adventure experiences and cooler winter temperatures just a short flight from home.
Queenstown (main image) continues to lead as the region’s most popular gateway, with visitors extending stays beyond the resort town to explore Milford Sound, the Catlins coastline, Aoraki Mount Cook and the Central Otago wine region.
Sarah Lacy, Tourism New Zealand General Manager Australia, said Australian travellers were increasingly discovering the depth of what the South Island offered beyond its famous highlights.
“We’re seeing Australians stay longer and explore further, combining classic bucket list experiences like Milford Sound with lesser-known destinations like the Catlins and Otago Peninsula. The South Island rewards that kind of exploration,” Ms Lacy said.
Winter has emerged as a particularly strong drawcard, with ski season demand from Australia up 31 per cent year on year across Queenstown’s Remarkables and Coronet Peak fields and Mount Hutt near Christchurch.
New direct flight capacity from Melbourne and Sydney added by both Qantas and Air New Zealand earlier this year has contributed to the growth.
Adventure tourism remains a key motivator, with bungee jumping, heli-skiing, jet boating and multi-day Great Walks all recording strong forward bookings for the remainder of the 2026 season.
