When is the Best Time to Visit New Zealand

Photo by Dan Freeman from Unsplash

• Top Months for Traveling to New Zealand
• Not Suggested Times to Visit New Zealand
• Quick Guide on Planning NZ Trip
• How to Travel on a Budget?

Whether you are a food lover, travel geek, wine fan, or an adventure seeker, New Zealand has it all to cater to the most diverse interests. One of the most beautiful places on earth, this country is the top favorite destination among many Enjoy The Wood globe trotters. Below, we will focus on the best and the worst time to visit New Zealand and some simple how-to recommendations on planning your next trip to the Land of the Long White Cloud.

Top Months for Traveling to New Zealand

Before you pack your stuff, keep in mind that the seasons in Maoriland are opposite to the ones you know in the Northern Hemisphere. The climate has nothing to do with tropical and is particularly variable. In other words, be ready to face four seasons during the day and…well, have fun.

September – November (Spring)

One of the best timeframes to plan your travel to New Zealand is springtime. If you would like to see the country in all its glory with breathtaking landscapes, consider traveling in Spring. The good news is that you won’t have to face crowds of tourists while the temperatures are pretty mild (10°C - 22°C (50°F - 72°F), and nature is in full bloom. It is also the best time to go to New Zealand for those who have an active lifestyle. You’re going to enjoy hiking while exploring the wonders of the local countryside and seeing for yourself the beauty of well-known gardens in Wellington and Christchurch. Don’t forget to say hi to cute yellow-eyed penguins and baby seals welcoming tourists during this time!

December – February (Summer)

If you’re a fan of the vibes of crowded streets, summer is the season! Sunny and warm weather (20°C - 30°C (68°F - 86°F) motivates you to go on promenades, get tanned on the beach, enjoy hiking, and try some water sports. The most popular places, like the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, and Queenstown, offer entertainment for all tastes, including sailing and bungee jumping. If you wonder how expensive is a trip to New Zealand, a summer journey will cost you a lot, so early booking is a must.

Not Suggested Times to Visit New Zealand

The worst time frame to travel to this wonderful country in the southern Pacific Ocean is from June to August, which is basically the winter months. It’s not the best time to visit New Zealand since outdoor activities won’t be available due to colder weather conditions. There’s no chance to get a sun-kissed nose, guys. However, if you’re a winter person, Mount Ruapehu and Queenstown are the go-to places for skiing and snowboarding. During your winter voyage in the South Island, you will most likely experience temperatures as low as 0°C (32°F). Plus, cold winds combined with rain can turn any sightseeing into a less pleasant experience.  Not for fans of winter sports, of course.

Photo by Danny Postma from Unsplash 

Quick Guide on Planning NZ Trip

Now that you know when is the best time to visit New Zealand, plan your next adventure wisely. Quick steps on how to plan a trip to New Zealand include the following:

• Pick the trip dates. Whether you’re a beach enthusiast or a snowboarding guru, you’ll have to choose the most appropriate time for visiting.
• Choose the place. Based on what exactly you would like to experience, the best spots include Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier to admire winter wonderland; Cathedral Cove, Muriwai, and Mount Maunganui with the best beaches; Lake Tekapo, Stewart Island, and Aoraki/Mt Cook to see the Southern Lights (wow!) between March and September, etc. If you find it hard to organize a solo trip, group tours will help!
• Plan your budget. Decide how much you’re ready to spend and how long your vacation will last.
• Check VISA requirements. If you need a visa to visit NZ, deal with all the documents well in advance.
• Book a flight. One more thing to do as early as possible to avoid sky-high ticket prices. Use Skyscanner to book some pocket-friendly flights. The main international airport in NZ is Auckland.
• Book an accommodation. If you go to some big cities like Queenstown, Christchurch, Auckland, or/and Wellington, you’re going to find dozens of budget-friendly accommodations. However, when exploring small towns, cities, and villages, the list of options will be much shorter.

How to Travel on a Budget?

It’s the first time that we have spoken about New Zealand on our Enjoy Travel blog. And we know that it’s not only the setting for The Lord of the Rings movie that you’re curious about. Money is an integral part of any adventure, and sooner or later, every tourist wonders, “How much would a trip to New Zealand cost?” The reality is that the price always depends on the type of traveler that you are. If you’re lucky to live in neighboring Australia and are cool about camping, hitchhiking, and cooking meals at home, you’re going to spend less in contrast to those who prefer luxurious flights from Europe and stay at 5* hotels. To help you save some bucks, we offer tourist-approved tricks below:

• If you plan to rent a car, compare options on Renal Cars to get the best price. At the same time, the long-distance public transport system will become handy for those who want to save more $.
• Go to Booking.com for a never-ending flow of accommodations of all kinds. The good news is that the website offers some great last-minute deals, so don’t worry if you fail to plan adventures in advance. However, if time is a good friend of yours, try to compare prices and book directly through the websites of hostels and hotels. Chances are you’ll save some money.
• If possible, don’t go there on a peak season. You know now that the best month to visit New Zealand is spring or summertime, but it’s also the most expensive journey. When visiting the Kiwiland in winter, stay away from accommodations located close to ski fields (you’ll have to pay more just for that).
• Make a list of free activities and enjoy them! The land is packed with breathtaking landscapes, beaches, parks, markets, festivals, and other events and locations that require zero $ for attendance.

Photo by Andres Iga from Unsplash

New Zealand is a tourist treasure. With tasty food and great wine, a myriad of lakes, mountains, forests, and beaches, film locations for the Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit trilogies (all within easy reach!), the most demanding globe trotters will have a unique and unforgettable experience.