Explore New Zealand's South Island with its 8 unique geographical regions and diverse natural beauty, from soaring mountain peaks of the Southern Alps, fiords, glaciers, lakes, rivers, native alpine bush and the southern skifields by bus and coach from Nelson.

With the national bus and coach travel networks of Naked Bus, InterCity Coachlines, Newmans Coachlines and Great Sights operating over 80 daily services, you can travel to over 300 cities, towns, skifileds and major tourist destinations and attractions in the South Island.

With fares starting from NZ$1.00 - travelling on InterCity Coachlines and Naked Bus bus and coach travel networks is an affordable way to see the South Island's scenic beauty.

Major coach and bus operators like InterCity Coachlines and Naked Bus operate daily regional services in the South Island, with some regional and long distance services connecting with Cook Strait ferry services operating between the South and North Islands.

InterCity Coachlines operates a fleet of modern, eco-friendly air conditioned buses and coaches with reclining seats with head and foot rests. InterCity buses do not have onboard toilet/washroom facilities but do stop regularly for comfort and refreshments on route.

Great Sights and Newmans Coachlines operate premier tourist sightseeing services using a fleet of modern eco-friendly air conditioned coaches that have reclining seats with foot and head rests and onboard toilet/washroom facilities.

All long distance and regional bus and coach services do stop regularly for comfort and refreshment breaks.

InterCity Coachlines Starlighter overnight services between Wellington, Palmerston North, Rotoura, Hamilton and Auckland, connecting with Cook Strait ferry services operating between Picton in the South Island and Wellington in the North Island.

The Starlighter service features reclining seats with foot and head rests, individual reading lights and air conditioning controls, onboard toilet/ washroom facility and makes two refreshment/comfort stops on route.

You can travel from Nelson to Wellington, Taupo, Rotorua, Hamilton, Whangarei, Paihia/Bay of Islands, Kerikeri and Kataia using combined bus and ferry travel that includes both bus and ferry travel in one fare and ticket.

You can make reservations from Christchurch International Airport for services to and from Christchurch to Queenstown, Mt Cook/Aoraki, Dunedin, Invercargill, Te Anau or Wanaka.

If you want to explore and see New Zealand's scenic beauty, there is a range of 'Hop On/Hop Off' bus and ferry passes offering value for money travel.