From the impossibly beautiful Southern Alps to ancient glaciers, forests and beaches, get your lowdown on the stunning natural wonders of New Zealand.
Seasons in New Zealand
In New Zealand, summer runs from December to February and temperatures can vary from 57 – 82 °F. So, if you want to enjoy warm temperatures (which is advisable if you want to explore the country’s bountiful natural scenery), the best time to visit New Zealand is in these months. It is, therefore, no surprise that November – March is the peak tourist season in the country.
If you prefer things cooler, then fall/autumn runs from March to May, with temperatures between 50 – 75 °F. After this period, you’ll experience New Zealand’s winter, which runs from June to August and sees temperatures anywhere between 48 – 68 °F .
Spring arrives in September and continues through November with temperatures hovering around 53 – 71 °F. Because of this, you may find that spring is a comfortable alternative to summer.
New Zealand Travel Tips
Discover the best time to visit New Zealand’s specific regions:
- Franz Josef or Fox Glacier, is best experienced during winter. Apart from it being less crowded, the decreased surface melt on the glacier will make it all the more striking to look at.
- Rotorua with its natural spas and Maori sites is well worth a visit and the best time to visit the region is between Jan – March when temperatures are around a pleasant 70 °F.
- If you want to sail or swim in New Zealand’s beautiful Fjordland, you’re in luck. You’ll have an enjoyable experience all year round. However, if you want to enjoy the wildlife, then going during fall (March-May) is advisable.
What to Pack for New Zealand
So, you have decided on when to go. All you need to decide now is what to bring. New Zealand is a land of stunning landscapes and many outdoor adventures and the best way to explore the country is to go on hikes, treks, and sailing expeditions. So, no matter where you are headed to in New Zealand, a comfortable pair of hiking boots and a camera will go a long way in providing you with a true New Zealand experience. However, in many ways, choosing what to pack relates closely to when you want to visit New Zealand.
If you want to visit during the summer, you should consider bringing lighter clothes such as T-Shirts, shorts or light pants, and maybe a sweatshirt for cooler temperatures. Remember to pack sunscreen and sunglasses as well as a sun-hat, as the New Zealand sun can be quite intense.
The same applies for fall/ autumn, though we recommend you bring more cold weather gear and long sleeve shirts and t-shirts. New Zealand in spring can often be quite warm and you should consider layering up, as the changes in temperature can be significant depending on where you are.
Of course, if you choose to visit New Zealand during the winter, focus on bringing cold weather clothes, thick pants, sweatshirts, and fleeces, as well as gloves. Some of New Zealand’s most startling scenery, like the Fox Glacier, are in relatively cold locations.
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Best Places To Visit
Safety
While New Zealand is generally thought of as a pretty safe country to visit, it’s still a good idea to take the same level of care and caution as you would at home. Read the top tips from our experts before starting on your New Zealand travel plans.
Things To Do
Although New Zealand is a relatively small country, it’s an incredibly diverse one, filled with great grasslands, towering mountains, warm pacific waters, and a vibrant metropolitan culture. Thanks to this diversity, there is no shortage of things to do in New Zealand.
The Enchanting Difference
Our experience with enchanting travels was absolutely out of this world. We utilized their services to plan our honeymoon to New Zealand and boy, did they deliver!! Rebecca, went above and beyond to ensure we were truly happy with our itinerary and that It included a good balance of excursions as well as relaxing on our trip. She was receptive to any questions or feedback we had. Our travel liaison, Emma, was there every step of our trip to make sure we were comfortable, never lost, and always had the answers to any of our questions. This trip was truly the trip of a lifetime and a bucket list trip for my husband and I. We would not hesitate to utilize their services for another trip and we would definitely recommend them to any of our friends and family.
Nicole Rapp
USA
I have had experience planning group trips with dear friends and this was by far the most well planned trip I have had the pleasure of putting together. Kelly and Megan listened to all of our ideas and requests and followed through on every front. Knowing that our trip coordinator, Megan Cena was double checking all of our hotels and activities a couple of days before arrival made a huge difference. We were expected at all of the arranged accommodations, no surprises! The quality of the private small group tours we participated in was exceptional. The tour guides were top-notch. We traveled by bus, train,ferry, airplane and luxury van and every piece of our trip went beautifully. Also, one ferry was cancelled and Enchanting Travels was working right away to get us on the next ferry. Having contact with Megan throughout our trip was another plus- she would write every night to ask how that day had gone. A wonderful vacation!
Patty Molten
USA
Enchanting Travels has again organized and supported a fantastic trip for us. I highly recommend them, especially if you are venturing into unknown countries where English is not the primary language.
Jessica Anne Gourlay-Langlois
Canada
Enchanting Travels was awesome! They tailored the perfect trip for my husband and I. I highly recommend!
Sydney Cannon
USA
The one thing that has always stopped me from planning a trip was time! A massive thank you to Rose for being absolutely amazing, patient and flexible with my busy schedule! I had such an amazing time and Rose made sure all my requirements for a holiday was met! There was fun and adventure, and also relaxation and scenic. I will definitely be booking another trip through Enchanting Travels again!
Regina Hong
Australia
Enchanting Travels met or exceeded all our expectations.
Jack Brent Allen
USA