The relative ease of travel in New Zealand and its established network of all-budgets accommodation and organised activities make this country easy to explore. There's a lot to see and do, so think about your priorities and allow enough time.
When to go
The warmer months between November and April are the catalyst for outdoor exploration and this is the official high season, with the slightly cooler and less tourist-trafficked months of October/November and April/May the best times to visit. The period around summer (December to February) is also when Kiwis lift their spirits with numerous food and wine festivals, concerts and sports events. If you're a fan of pointing your feet downhill, visit when snow is thick on the ground over winter (June to August), the high season in skiing areas.
New Zealand is in the Roaring Forties and so has a prevailing wind blowing over it from west to east year-round, ranging from gentle breezes to the odd raging gale. On both main islands it gets wetter in the west than in the east because the mountains block the moisture-laden winds blowing in from the Tasman Sea. It's usually a few degrees cooler on the South Island than the North Island. Anyone tramping at high altitudes must be fully prepared for this climatic unpredictability.
What to take
- Insect repellent to dissuade the notorious sandflies
- Packing a range of clothing to suit the changeability of the weather
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