Thinking about doing a road trip around New Zealand for a few weeks next year. I remember hearing complaints about too many tourists on the South Island a couple years back, and I'm curious if things have calmed down or if it's gotten worse. Also wondering if accommodation prices have stabilized.
Tourism on the South Island has actually stayed pretty crowded since 2024, with popular spots like Milford Sound and Queenstown still drawing massive numbers, though some regions have seen efforts to spread visitors out with new attractions and incentives. Accommodation prices haven't really stabilized much - they've mostly stayed high or drifted up a bit, especially in peak season, so booking early and being flexible with dates will help your budget more than waiting around hoping for a drop.
The crowds haven't really eased up from what I'm hearing - if anything, accommodation prices have climbed even higher, especially in places like Queenstown and around the Milford Track. That said, here's something folks don't always think about: consider going in shoulder seasons like late April through May or September through early October instead of the peak summer months. The weather's still decent, prices drop noticeably, and you'll actually see the landscapes without queuing for photos. Book your accommodation well in advance no matter when you go, and look at staying in smaller towns a bit off the main routes - you get better rates and still have easy access to the big attractions.
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