6 Franz Josef. Summer ( December to February) is the most popular time to travel New Zealand for both international travellers and locals. If you’re looking for a quick & easy list, these are our very top recommendations for things to do in New Zealand on your first visit. DOC Kauaeranga Visitor Centre. Queenstown is one of the best places to visit in New Zealand when it comes to adrenaline-pumping attractions and a world-class skiing experience. Only citizens from “Visitor Visa Waiver Countries” for New Zealand need to purchase an NZeTA before arriving in New Zealand to visit. Roy’s Peak is one of the most iconic photographic locations in all of New Zealand. December to February is the best time for outdoor activities and festivals. The Bay of Islands is one of the best places to go in New Zealand for fishing, sailing, and other watersports. August is the final month of winter in New Zealand, which means the weather can be quite wet (especially on the North Island) and cold with occasional storms and brief sunny spells. New Zealand ranges from a sub-tropical climate (Northland) to a sub-Antarctic one (several small islands off the South Island), so to it’s important to know how the weather will affect your plans and the kinds of. 7. Experience the haka, a ceremonial Māori dance made world famous by the All Blacks rugby team as their pre-game ritual. Antigen tests. Natural Wonders. Activities, tours, maps and accommodation to plan your New Zealand holiday. Without knowing your interests or fitness level fore activities I can't say which island would suit you best as they are very different. Blond- and black-sand beaches, rain forest hiking trails, picturesque coves. Relax with a glass of wine at the Gisborne Wine Centre or one of the surrounding vineyards. Enjoying the beauty of Abel Tasman by kayak. It’s the real Middle-earth. Autumn is the perfect time for a city break to Auckland, with fantastic autumnal events and fiery fall foliage to appreciate. Rachael Hood. New Zealand Weather in January. 12 The Best Time to Visit New Zealand. Shortlands Shed in Central Otago is a stunning off-the-grid cabin on a sheep farm while you can even glamp on a farm up on the Kauri Coast in Northland in the forest. Itinerary #1: South Island Adventure - Christchurch to Queenstown. Please note that when you book a MoaTrek tour, we can put you in touch with one of our trusted partners who can arrange flights for you. Roy’s Peak, Wanaka. Take a stroll through the heart of the city on Te Ara I Whiti/The Light path or Pink Light Path which stretches from Upper Queen. However, this also makes the South Island the most crowded time of the year to visit. Welcome to New Zealand. Climate: New Zealand has a diverse climate determined by the ocean, mountains and prevailing winds. Get out on the water at the Great Barrier Reef. The east coast is much milder, with sandy beaches suitable for swimming and generally lower rainfall. Skiing and snowboarding. 1. A walking track 33km (20. Milford Sound as seen above is a true highlight if you are visiting the South Island. Ash James. From north to south, these are our favourite autumnal spots in Aotearoa. But don’t let that stop you – it is still totally possible to explore New Zealand on a budget. Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, Rotorua, Wellington, Hamilton, Dunedin, Tauranga, Nelson, Napier, Wanaka, Bay of islands, Lake Tekapo, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Tongariro National Park and many more. When listing out the most beautiful places to visit in New Zealand, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is a no-brainer. Cook, while often shrouded in cloud, is stunning when he finally shows his face. Self-drive vacations are popular, and the country's diverse accommodations range. New Zealand November weather is usually warm and dry, with temperatures reaching up to the high twenties and the extreme weather conditions of the previous months banished for another year. Possums are the national pest. If you are on a tight budget and watch your spending closely, you could get by with a daily budget of $60 – $90 per person. 2 Countries. From the meeting of oceans at Cape Reinga to the cultural and historic displays at Te Papa, here are the top things to do on New Zealand's North Island. When coming to New Zealand to visit, study or work, you are strongly encouraged to get travel insurance. 10. Find out about New Zealand made products and investing in New Zealand businesses. With 10 days on the South Island of New Zealand, you have just enough time to visit several top spots. Tourism News is the email update featuring news, insights, events and more. The second largest growing region in New Zealand has 5000 hectares of vineyards and is around the small towns of Napier and Hastings. Be Prepared to Drive on the Left-Hand Side of the Road. Visit us to find out how to apply for a visa, to visit, study, work or live in New Zealand. ~Ice Climbing on a Glacier in Franz Josef~. As a result, you are not required to go to the embassy to apply for your New Zealand visa for US citizens before departure. Things to do in New Zealand in Winter. New Zealand has some of the greatest scenic drives in the world. Tiny, out-of-the-way Stewart Island lies off the South Island at the very, very bottom of New Zealand. 1. 6°F (16. Beyond the public sporting display, New Zealand celebrates its Māori culture in daily life and there are numerous places to experience it. November. On the hike, visitors might even catch a. Per Geiser, the most popular time to visit New Zealand for American travelers is between November and April (winter in the Northern Hemisphere is summer in. 4-3. July is the middle of winter in New Zealand and therefore on average the coldest month of the year. New Zealand, or Aotearoa in Māori, benefits from a diverse landscape of golden beaches, rainforests, fiords, wineries and snow-topped mountains. Cape Reinga is nearly the most northern point of New Zealand’s North Island. At a glance: Fly over the glaciers in the morning, visit the kiwi center and then drive up to artsy Hokitika. You do not need a visa to enter New Zealand if you are a visitor staying less than 6 months. One of the best places to live in New Zealand, Nelson’s stunning setting on the coast, snuggled between two mountain ranges, also makes it a fantastic city to visit. February usually has the warmest and most settled weather, March is great too though some evenings, especially down south, might be a. C. Trees in Woodlands Historic Park, Australia. 5-4. How to get to New Zealand’s South Island. But its range of charming towns and small cities is also well worth exploring further. Abseiling in Auckland’s Waitakere Ranges. Crisp, sunny days can quickly turn dreary and cool. 5 hours. This guide will point out how driving in New Zealand differs from other countries, including: You must hold a valid driving license. JUN- AUG 15oC. Accommodation – around $100 NZD for 2 people. Food and drink. It is the only currency accepted in New Zealand, and tax is included in the price of whatever it is you purchase. 3 billion to just $950 million according to Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA), an independent association that tracks the country's tourism sector using government. Go sightseeing in Christchurch, soak in Hanmer Springs, go whale watching, and take a scenic ferry from Picton over to Wellington, home to museums and parliamentary features. If travelers to New Zealand have to choose just one historic site to visit, it should be Waitangi. New Zealand’s climate is diverse – the north of the North Island can have warm subtropical weather in summer, while inland alpine areas of the South Island can have heavy snow and temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F) in winter. Spring is a wonderful time to visit New Zealand with warm sunny days, uncrowded trails and the countryside bursting into life. It is the largest lake in New Zealand based on surface area, and the lake, in its volcanic bowl, is a beautiful place to visit. WELLINGTON TO SOUTH ISLAND. Swim with dolphins in Kaikoura. Abel Tasman National Park was founded in 1942 and is named for Abel Tasman, who was the first European explorer to see New Zealand in 1642. The castle and its creator offer a. Snow is likely to occur in the more alpine regions. Cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Queenstown follow suit, with photo-worthy scenery and a laid-back vibe. R. Cook village, deep in the heart of the South Island. 1. New Zealand weather in January. Travel facts New Zealand At latitude 41° south, Wellington is the world’s southernmost capital city and shares the honour of being the most remote with Canberra, over 2000km away. ~Punakaiki Pancake Rocks~. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a. Experience the magic of Hobbiton Movie Set. Oct 3, 2023 • 5 min read Plan the best time of year for your visit to New Zealand with this seasonal guide © Michael Hall / Getty Images Journeying to New Zealand and exploring. The Land of the Long White Cloud, New Zealand is known for Maori culture, lush-valley-and-gentle-hill-filled landscapes made famous by the "Lord of the Rings" films and dramatic glacial mountain peaks. In general, the best time to visit New Zealand is in summer, which is from December to. 5 Queenstown and the Milford Sound. Learn about the COVID-19 requirements for travelling to New Zealand, visa and entry requirements and what sort of travel visa you might need. Food – ~$60-80 NZD for 2 people but it can be lower if you only do supermarket food. The Wellington and Te Papa museums are solid options for some educational (but fun) activities when you need a break from New Zealand's unpredictable weather. Abel Tasman National Park: gorgeous place to hike and/or kayak for one to five days. Home to thousands of blue-green glow worms, the caves are one of the best places to see the tiny glowing insects. Arriving here from the Polynesian homeland of Hawaiki over 1,000 years ago, the great explorer Kupe, was the first Māori to reach these lands. April is the time to relish crisp, sunny days, bright-blue skies and chilly nights. However, there are also a number of weird places to visit in New Zealand, which you should include on your trip. , their summer runs from December through February. With the beautiful weather, it’s the perfect time of year to get outside and enjoy New Zealand’s famous outdoor activities, like hiking, mountain biking. This. Places such as Rotorua, Taupo and the Bay of Islands are some of the best New Zealand North Island places to see! The good thing about visiting the North Island is that there’s so much to see and do! You can go hiking on the Tongariro. Related Article: 2 Week South Island New Zealand Itinerary. 2. Hiking, skydiving, caving, bungy jumping, skiing — everything here is geared towards getting you outside and doing. Visit New Zealand from September to November (spring) or March to April (fall) if you hate crowds. In the month of June 2023, there were over 178 thousand international visitor arrivals to New Zealand, marking an. No mail today! Hobbiton is located on a working farm in the small village of Matamata in New Zealand’s Waikato region, which is about a 2. - Depart from Auckland: Saturday evening. If you want a few splurges and to stay in nicer accommodation, plan to budget $100 – $150. The two glaciers are Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier. Activities, tours, maps and accommodation to plan your New Zealand holiday. New Zealand’s name inspires pictures of mountains, glaciers, forests, pristine lands, and lots and lots of sheep. For many, "The Lord of the Rings" is a main motivator to visit New Zealand. But don’t let that stop you – it is still totally possible to explore New Zealand on a budget. Driving through, you see only a glimpse of this vast, rugged and wild part of the Alps making this. The short answer is 14 days as a minimum time frame for visiting both the North Island and South Island of New Zealand. Summer ( December, January, February) is the best time to travel to New Zealand if you’re looking for warm temperatures, long hours of daylight, and days spent at the beach. Main meal: NZ$30; Cafe sandwich: NZ$6-$8; Pint of beer:. Auckland Weather in Summer. Visit the official travel website for The Coromandel. Summer in New Zealand means busy beaches, (usually) good weather for hiking (known locally as "tramping") and leisurely cricket matches. 1 Auckland and Waiheke Island. 3 Coromandel Peninsula. 10. On a quick, South Island road trip, enjoy plenty of fun in a short amount of time. However, New Zealand is renowned for having “four seasons in a day” even in summer so don’t be. The relatively small island nation. The answer is, it depends. MOST POPULAR Hobbiton Movie Set Tour. New Zealand might be a small country but there’s a lot to see, a lot of ground to cover, and a lot of tours and activities. New Zealand’s well-known wine regions, such as Napier and Hawke’s Bay on the North Island and Marlborough on the South Island, are all wonderful to visit, but the country has vineyards in most areas and there are some delightful, niche producers that you can. When it comes to travelling to New Zealand’s South Island, you can fly to Christchurch or Queenstown. Holger Leue / Getty Images. Overlooking the homestead at Lake Heron Station. North Island: 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) high/54 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius) low. The first reigning monarch of New Zealand to visit the country was Elizabeth II in 1953–54. Itinerary #5: Ultimate New Zealand - From South to North. Must do New Zealand experiences. Spring (September, October, November) is the best time to visit New Zealand if you are looking for mild temperatures ( great for hiking!) and fewer crowds. Each time we’ve visited, we’ve chosen to take advantage of. White Water Rafting the Tongariro River, Taupo New. . We have reviews of the best places to see. SH38 is the only road that leads through the park. Stop in the town of Matamata in the Waikato region en route to take a guided tour of the Hobbiton film set. The number of tourists exploring the two islands does as well! Of course, these factors go hand-in-hand (good weather brings more people; bad weather turns them away), so it’s essential to consider them simultaneously when deciding. Medical Treatment Visitor Visa. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your. Visit New Zealand's only castle. Auckland and Wellington, for example, often have. New Zealand Weather in December. Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum of New Zealand. Here are some expert tips to help you plan the perfect ski trip in New Zealand: Tip #1: Choose the right time to visit New Zealand for skiing. ; Lake Tekapo: Impossibly-blue lake famous for stargazing. 3 October 2023. 20 reasons to visit New Zealand, now that we finally can. This is with the exception of Australian residents. 9 million. Positioned halfway between the equator and the South Pole, New Zealand occupies a pleasing middle ground, temperature wise. Although certainly not uncontroversial, this is the modern country of New Zealand's founding document. Before travelling to New Zealand, you need to make sure your passport is valid for at least three months longer. Find out how to get to New Zealand and how to book. Summer – December to February. 10. 6. With a hip art scene, brilliant craft breweries and a range of delightful restaurants, it is a lovely place to spend some time – Nelson’s delightful surroundings are. In Christchurch, visit the Antarctic Centre, see the sights, go punting, and descend on a zipline. Lady Bowen Falls (aka Bowen Falls) At approximately 162 metres (531ft) high, Lady Bowen Falls is the highest of the Milford Sound waterfalls. Arrowtown: Arrowtown, on the South Island, is a popular. Take a guided tour by kayak or boat at night for the best views. Planning to visit New Zealand? Read our guide that covers all the practical travel advice you need to know ahead of your trip. Perched on the North Island near Waitomo, the Glowworm Caves are a stunning sight to see. Stake Out – a fox in the trees photographed near the Twelve Apostles in Australia. Navy guided-missile destroyer arrived Friday in Wellington, New Zealand, a rare visit by an American warship to the nuclear-free nation that has closed its borders to most of the world. The best time to visit New Zealand is from late spring (November) to early fall (April). Monthly number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand 2019-2023. Duration: Fast-paced=6 days, relaxed=8 days+. Sunscreen. Oh the waterfalls! Obviously yes! Milford Sound is the most famous fiord in New Zealand and is without a doubt one of the most popular places to visit in New Zealand. Tongariro Northern Circuit, Central North Island, 3–4 days. You decide you want to visit New Zealand again for the whole month of November 2023. However, keep in mind that in order to be eligible for the official program, your personal or holiday stay can not exceed a 3-month period.