Holidays in New Zealand

New Zealanders call their magical land ‘God’s Own Country’ and once you visit, you’ll soon know why. In a country that’s not much bigger than the UK, New Zealand’s vistas vary from giant glaciers to sun-baked beaches and everything in-between. It’s this dynamic scenery which makes a holiday in New Zealand action-packed.

Split into two, the country’s North and South Islands offer completely different experiences. In the North, the hip bars and trendy eateries of Auckland and the cheerful café culture of bite-sized capital Wellington make for great city stops. For something a little wilder, sulphur-rich Rotorua has geothermal baths perfect for a dip and fascinating Maori culture, while the Bay of Islands and Coromandel Peninsula reward with crystal-clear waters and white beaches.

The South Island squeezes in beaches, rainforests, lakes, glaciers, mountains and rivers – it’s as if Mother Nature was the artist-in-residence here. You’ll find golden beaches in Abel Tasman National Park, dramatic peaks in Kaikoura, the icy wonder of Franz Josef Glacier and dolphin-rich sculpted fiords at Milford Sound. Fast-paced adventure isn’t in short supply in Queenstown, with jet-boating and skydiving; you can even go snow-skiing and water-skiing in the same day.

From hidden beach houses and boutique B&Bs to remote retreats and mind-blowing, state-of-the-art luxury lodges, the accommodation is as varied and magical as the country’s landscapes with options to suit all styles and budgets. One of the rawest ways to appreciate this epic land is to hire a campervan and, simply, hit the open road. You won’t regret it.

Being in the southern hemisphere, New Zealand’s weather is the opposite to that of the UK. Summer runs from December to February, autumn from March to May, winter from June to August and spring from September to November. There’s no bad time to visit New Zealand, with each season offering something different.

Spring

Spring in New Zealand brings a pleasantly mild climate across the country, with temperatures starting around 15°C in September and rising to the low 20s at the end in November, as summer approaches. The mild weather makes it perfect for more active adventures, like taking on one of the country’s ‘Great Walks’ or ‘Great Rides’. Alternatively, while the mountains will still be speckled white, the melting snow makes the full rivers great for white water rafting. Spring is also when the waterfalls of Milford and Doubtful Sounds are at their best, but you should expect showers – they happen year-round, with Fiordland often named one of the world’s wettest places. The star of the show in spring however is the blooming foliage across the country, which makes it one of the best times to visit New Zealand. In particular, the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch in the South Island lives up to its name at this time of year, with its parks and gardens carpeted with daffodils and bluebells, while Hawke’s Bay in the North Island boasts brilliant blossom trees. Benefit from lower visiting footfall in spring, too, as you beat the summer rush.

Summer

Summer in New Zealand offers the best weather, with temperatures across the country ranging from the low 20s (degrees Celsius) up to 30°C. Though this fine weather draws the greatest share of visitors, it makes it ideal for taking advantage of the lovely coastline and beaches of Abel Tasman National Park in the South Island or the beautiful Bay of Islands in the North Island. The whole country, especially Central Otago and Fiordland when it’s prime time for hiking, erupts into a gorgeous display of lupins and gorse, too. The amazing weather means it’s the height of festival season and one of the best times to go to New Zealand, with plenty of celebrations occurring throughout the country, including New Zealand’s national day Waitangi Day on 6 February.

Autumn

Inevitably, temperatures start to dip as you head into autumn, with March seeing the mercury hovering around the low 20s (degrees Celsius) and dropping to around 15°C (or lower in the South Island) in anticipation of winter. Arguably, autumn is when New Zealand is at its most spectacular, as a delightful array of reds, oranges and russet browns decorate the country. For some of the best displays, visit Queenstown, Christchurch and Central Otago in the South Island and Hawke’s Bay in the North Island. If you want to twin marvellous Milford Sound with wildlife then you’re in luck, as the drop in water temperatures from the autumn through to winter means sightings of fur seals and dolphins are more likely. Many of the summer crowds will have long departed, so you’ll have a clear view of this glorious side of New Zealand.

Winter

Temperatures during winter range between 5°C and 15°C, depending on where you are in New Zealand. The North Island typically has more rain than the South Island (Milford Sound being the notable exception) but don’t let that put you off – New Zealand’s winters are pleasantly mild. You can spy humpback (June & July) and sperm (year round) whales at Kaikoura on South Island but winter is made for the excellent ski fields dotted across the country, in particular in and around Queenstown. This is arguably the best time of year to see Franz Josef Glacier on the South Island, too, with its awesome features like crevasses and ice caves more solid and spectacular.