New Zealand's South Island is a bucket-list trip in every sense. Known in Maori as Te Waipounamu, it's bigger than the North Island but far less populated, and its 58,000-plus square miles hold an astonishing amount of scenery, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Tasman Sea on the other.

The landscape changes around every corner. In the north, Nelson and the surrounding region offer golden beaches and sunshine, and the ferry from the capital, Wellington, across Cook Strait is a scenic adventure of its own. Farther south lie the rugged mountains and open country of Otago and Southland. In between you'll find wine regions, Maori cultural experiences, famous movie filming locations and the breathtaking peaks of the Southern Alps running down the island like a spine. Hiking, adventure sports and peaceful scenic drives are all part of the experience.

U.S. travelers can fly nonstop to Auckland from cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, New York and Honolulu, then connect to Queenstown, Christchurch, Dunedin or Nelson. Domestic flights are under two hours, so grab a window seat and enjoy the views. The South Island rewards careful routing, and I'll build an itinerary with the right mix of driving, flights and stays.