From the impossibly beautiful Southern Alps to ancient glaciers, forests and beaches, get your lowdown on the stunning natural wonders of New Zealand.
New Zealand
The climate of New Zealand is far more varied than that of nearby Australia, with significant changes in rainfall and temperature depending on where you are in the country. For example, South Island is quite alpine, with snow-capped mountain ranges (as seen in the popular Lord of the Rings films) and vast glaciers. So it can be quite cold, even reaching 14°F (-10°C) in the winter. Northern New Zealand, however, is subtropical with temperatures even getting as high as 86°F (30°C) in the summer and roughly 59°F (15°C) in the winter.
Top Things to do
- Explore Rotorua National Park (all year long)
- New Zealand International Comedy Festival (May)
- Matariki Festival (June-July)
Australia
No matter where you are in the country, or what time of the year you come, Australia is a warm country. However, summer (November- February) is an intensely hot time of the year reaching a maximum temperature of around 80°F (26°C), or even higher temperatures. If you prefer cooler weather, you may find it a good idea to avoid visiting Australia during the peak of summer.
Luckily, though, the inverted seasons mean that during the northern hemisphere’s summer months (June-August) Australia’s temperature is hot, but not overly so, reaching a maximum temperature of roughly 64.4°F (18°C).
In addition, Australia tends to see very little rainfall all year round.
Top Events and Celebrations in Australia
- Australian Tennis Open (January)
- Visit the stunning Uluru rock face (all year long, but the summer heat can make visiting it uncomfortable)
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival (February-March)
What to Pack for Oceania
Summer: December – February
In December, focusing on light, comfortable clothes is essential, and make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen to protect you from the worst effects of the heat. As the temperature is extremely warm in January, be sure to wear thin, light clothing, and strong sunscreen. You may also find it useful to pack good quality sunglasses and a sunhat. Bringing a large water bottle would also be useful, as drinking water will be essential if you spend time outside. Mosquito repellant is also a good idea. Remember to pack swimming gear too as taking a dip in the pool or in the ocean will seem extremely attractive in the hot weather.
In February too, be sure to pack warm weather gear, but as you are in fall, you may find sem-frequent rainfall in New Zealand. Bringing a waterproof layer or poncho (though perhaps not a full raincoat) could be a good idea, especially if you intend to visit the beautiful South Island.
Fall: March – May
As the weather is no longer quite so baking hot in April, it is a good time to do some outdoor activities. Bringing appropriate clothing and gear is a good idea depending on what you wish to do. This being said, ensuring that you’re prepared for the warm weather is also essential. If you are only spending time in Australia and northern New Zealand, then wearing the usual warm-weather clothing should be fine in May. However, the further south you go in New Zealand, the more layers you should consider wearing.
Winter: June – August
Generally speaking, packing some layers no matter where you are can be a good idea, though don’t be surprised if sometimes you don’t need them. The further south you go in New Zealand, cold-weather clothes such as scarves, woollen hats, and fleeces as well as good quality waterproof clothing are worth remembering, as the rainfall is heavy in June.
In July, much of Australia remains warm, so pack accordingly. However, given the heavy rainfall and cold you may experience the further south you go in New Zealand, layers and warm clothing should be prioritised. In August, although the weather is beginning to change, ensuring you pack for cool-to-cold weather is advisable.
Spring: September – November
As with everywhere else, spring is the best time to visit Oceania. As you are likely to experience some hot days and some relatively cool days in September, packing for both is smart. Remember, winter has only just passed, so remembering to focus on packing for more cooler days than warm ones may be a good idea. October is really an ideal month to visit, with pleasant days and plenty of sunshine. In November, when summer is fast approaching, packing comfortable, lightweight clothes is important. However, if you intend to go to New Zealand’s South Island, an extra layer or two can’t hurt.
If you have any questions, our experts will be glad to answer them for you. Get in touch with us for an Oceania travel plan that is tailored according to your interests and preferences.
From the Blog
When the world starts moving again, a journey into New Zealand’s wilderness is sure to capture your imagination.
Sorry, your search found no results.
Popular Trips to Oceania
11 Days
from
$3,390 USD
/ person
Discover scenic Tasmania at your own pace as you drive across the island, from the capital city of Hobart in the east to Freycinet and Cradle Mountain National Park.
15 Days
from
$13,690 USD
/ person
This is the ideal tour for those who want to delve deeper into the essence of Australia. Soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. During your time here, you will also get to enjoy experiences such as savoring the flavorful wines of Barossa Valley, and a personalized tour of the famous Great…
10 Days
from
$9,590 USD
/ person
Experience Australia’s vibrant culture and admire its natural wonders over the course of ten memorable days.
10 Days
from
$4,790 USD
/ person
Embark on a memorable journey to experience some of Australia’s top natural and cultural attractions. Visit landmarks such as the iconic Opera House in Sydney, and sample the region’s flavorful wines in Hunter Valley. A lovely gourmet meal under the desert sky awaits you after your exploration of Uluru, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You…
19 Days
from
$11,490 USD
/ person
Experience the joy of slow travel as you discover Australia through a series of train journeys including The Ghan, on this 19-day tour of the sprawling continent. Hop aboard the Indian Pacific and traverse more than 2,700 miles from Perth to Sydney. Discover the fantastic wine and food landscape of Melbourne and Adelaide, before embarking…
12 Days
from
$10,090 USD
/ person
Plunge into New Zealand’s untamed wilderness, and experience its vibrant cities and culture on this specially curated vacation. Uncover Auckland’s assorted charms, and sample some lovely wines on Waiheke island. No trip to this area is complete without visiting the iconic Waitomo Caves, and the lovely Hobbiton Movie Set from the ‘Lord of the Rings’…
Sorry, your search found no results.
Best Places To Visit in Oceania
Safety
Oceania is considered one of the safest places in the world. Despite this, it’s good to take some basic precautions to ensure that you are always safe while traveling. Here are the top Australia and New Zealand safety tips from our experts.
The Enchanting Difference
What Our Guests Say
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
Enchanting Travels did an excellent job of organizing and packaging our travels. Their assigned travel consultant was excellent and stayed in close contact with us throughout our 14-day trip. She did an exceptional job of communicating and helping with minor changes that occurred during our trip. The “Trip Advisor” app used by Enchanting Travels is by far among the best we have used and kept us up to date and aware of all details required to have a seamless and worry-free vacation. We highly recommend Enchanting Travels.
Peggy Lee Howe
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
Having the support and availability of a 24/7 Trip coordinator is very reassuring specially for the older generation. The Travel consultant selected good hotels.
Anup Shah
Australia