How to Plan for your New Zealand Holiday
New Zealand, for most countries, is one of the most isolated nations in the world, simply because we don’t share borders with any other countries like in Europe, Asia or America. So when you decide to embark on a New Zealand holiday you must do it with meticulous planning that you don’t miss out on anything worth seeing!
I have put together a guide to help you decide what places to visit in New Zealand. Whether it’s your first or tenth time coming to the land of the long white cloud. You can never have enough help making decisions to help create the most memorable holiday you possibly can while in the middle of a pandemic.
North Island vs South Island
New Zealand may be small, but it isn’t small enough that you can thoroughly explore both islands in one short visit. Both the North and South Islands in New Zealand have incredible landscapes to witness and explore, yet they are both so vastly different. The type of New Zealand holiday you want to experience will determine what Island you should ultimately visit. Both Islands in New Zealand hold the ability to achieve both a relaxing and exhilarating holiday.
Climates
The climates in each island are also quite different, the further south you go, the more likely you are to experience a colder but ‘drier’ winter or summer. The snow fall during winter occurs primarily throughout most of the South Island, with the snow-capped mountains creating magnificent backdrops for any holiday. The South Island is truly the winter wonderland for any New Zealand holiday.
The North Island has snow in the winter, but it’s very rarely seen at sea level. Leaving the towns clear from any snow or sleet unless you track up mountains like Mt Ruapehu. This means hiking in the North Island during winter doesn’t have the added concern of preparing for snow like the south island does.
North Island
The North Island of New Zealand is dominated by volcanoes and curvy landscapes. Native rainforests encapsulate majority of the central North Island with hidden waterfalls and the beautiful Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf is the perfect fit for a summer getaway, and the wild west coast is where you will find some of the best surfing spots. The North Island is a great place to visit if you want beach towns, large cities, day hikes or really don’t like the snow.
South Island
The South Island of New Zealand has a visible, rugged back bone called the Southern Alps. Tracking North-East up Te Wai Pounamu, the Southern Alps are home to New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Mt Cook. Leading to plenty of hiking tracks and hundreds of opportunities to explore New Zealand’s’ snowy outback. The South Island is a fantastic place to be if you’re a snowboarder, keen to scale mountains for days at a time, want to experience walking or driving through the snow and want a change of scenery for some of the best photo opportunities.
Big Cities vs Small Towns
There are several ‘big’ cities in New Zealand, Auckland and Wellington in the north island, and Christchurch dominates the south. Our small towns are what gives our country life; Avocados from Katikati, kiwifruit from Te Puke, salmon from Akaroa and sheep from almost everywhere! No matter where you go you will find something which makes New Zealand what it is, even if it is a giant statue of an L&P bottle in Paeroa.
Wellington, North Island
Wellington has been long considered the Melbourne of New Zealand. This funky city sits at the very bottom of the north island and is overrun with university students, vegans, coffee lovers and pasta enthusiasts. The bars and clubs all sit within close proximity to each other so there is no need to catch a taxi to the next bar or restaurant. The famous bucket fountain which Elijah Wood pissed in during his time in New Zealand while filming Lord of the Rings sits pride of place in Cuba Street Mall. Wellington welcomes alternative styles, food enthusiasts and anyone who loves the ‘wind swept’ look.
Wellington is the windiest city in New Zealand, this city is known so well for it’s breezy days that almost everyone whos flown into the city will have a horrific turbulence story after asking “have you flown into Wellington before?”. Wellington is also the gateway to the South Island; the Interislander ferry can be caught from Wellington and you can enjoy the slow and hopefully calm seas of the Cook Strait.
If you are visiting the bottom of the north island, you need to experience a Wellington sunset. These 7 locations for the best sunsets in Wellington will have you looking for high rise apartments to move into to experience the orange glow of Wellington every evening.
Coromandel, North Island
Coromandel township is one of the best places to visit if you’re wanting a New Zealand holiday surrounding by white sand beaches. The Coromandel township is small with only a few pubs, boutique stores and a small supermarket. But the beaches and landscape are a dream for any adventurer or photographer. Several hikes are scattered through the area with Pauanui Mountain definitely worth the view, and the Pinnacles are a popular destination for anyone to feel like they’re sitting on top of the world.
Queenstown, South Island
Queenstown is a great little tourist town to visit for a day or two on your New Zealand holiday. Queenstown isn’t as big as many other popular cities in New Zealand. But it makes up for its size with what it can offer in surrounding sceneries, day trips and activities. But if you are looking for a main city to visit in the South Island, then Christchurch is where you will find all your city centre needs.
Queenstown is surrounded by ski fields like The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Cardrona and Snow Farm. They are all a short drive or shuttle buses are also available from the city center.
If you’re willing to fight the urge to vomit in your own mouth, then Skippers Canyon jet boat tour is worth the risk. The jet boat is the easiest part to stomach on this trip. Skippers canyon is the only road in New Zealand where rental vehicle insurance is not honored, and probably the perfect place to live if you hated society and really enjoyed living in a giant crack in the earth.
Queenstown is also the best city to start if you’re wanting to begin a road trip through the south island. I have plenty of road trip itineraries from travelling the West Coast from Wanaka to Franz Josef. to seeing the main touristy hot spots like Milford Sound and Cromwell.
Arrowtown, South Island
Places like Glenorchy and Arrowtown are fantastic little towns to explore when enjoying some time in Queenstown. Arrowtown is one of our more historical towns and one that should be visited while on a New Zealand holiday in the south island. Arrowtown was the location of choice to source gold during the gold rush era of the 1800’s, Several buildings still stand from over a hundred years ago and the stories are shared among posts scattered throughout the Chinese Settlement in Arrowtown. Take a beanie and pack your thermals though, Arrowtown is by far the coldest town I have ever visited in New Zealand. During winter a light haze never seems to fully lift off the small town which sits in the shadows of the Crown Range towering above.
Hotels vs Campervans vs Cabins
Do you want luxury New Zealand holiday basing yourself in hotels and hot pools? or do you want adventure with incredible views and rough terrain? Do you want to feel like you have escaped your bustling 9-5 job and are reaping the rewards? Or would you rather experience New Zealand and everything it has to offer, right down to waking up in the middle of nowhere and having a kea stand you over for the rubber on your car windows?
New Zealand has hundreds of different accommodation options from skyscraper hotels to yurts. You can choose to stay in the middle of nowhere on the edge of a small town or enter right onto a bustling city centre street. The only thing that stands between you and your dream sleeping location is availability and the size of your wallet. Some of our best accommodation options in rural New Zealand can range anywhere between $200 – $600 a night or more. But these are the kind of places with floor to ceiling windows on a large piece of private land, with the bonus of either a wood fire, outdoor hot tub or incredible view.
But that doesn’t mean your dreams of waking up under the stars are flying out the window as fast as Kiwis will be escaping to Australia. Download apps like AirBnb and book accommodation during off peak season. This is the best attempt at getting a reduced price on your dream location.
I love my alternative accommodation, every time we travel, I have to find at least one place which isn’t the usual kind of holiday home. Our favourite place to stay on Waiheke Island is Fossil Bay lodge in their Belle Tents, and we recently stayed in a small wooden cabin in the Coromandel.
Travelling New Zealand in a campervan would be the next best option if you don’t want the hassle of finding different accommodation every night. There are plenty of rental companies throughout Aotearoa which you can check out, ranging from self-contained, freedom camping style vans to full blown campervans with double beds and kitchens.
Relaxing New Zealand Holiday vs Adrenaline Inspired Getaway
Again, both the North and South Islands of New Zealand have activities perfectly fit for any adrenaline junkie. As well as activities fit for a romantic and relaxed getaway with your significant other.
Private Hot Springs
Private pools are the pinnacle of any romantic holiday, no matter where you choose to go for your New Zealand holiday, there will be a private hot pool you can hire. Soaking in a private bath with a view and sharing a glass of champagne would be the highlight for almost every couple. Luckily for us private spa locations are popping up all over the country and mostly within areas that are drenched in adrenaline junkie activities. So if you choose to go abseiling, rafting, or hiking earlier in the day, there’s a bubbling pool awaiting your arrival to soothe your aching muscles.
Waikite Hot Springs and Secret Spot Hot Tubs – Rotorua, North Island
Rotorua is famous for its’ hot pools birthed directly from the natural boiling water seeping straight from underground. Waikite Valley hot springs in Rotorua has a variety of hot pools at different temperatures, as well as offering a private hot tub for those romantic holidays. Paul and I came across Waikite Hot Springs by chance and it was one of the best spontaneous choices we have ever made on a road trip. The private pools are super affordable, allowing you an hour to enjoy the quiet bubbling of the geothermal water and sulphur rising up from the grounds surrounding the hot springs.
Secret Spot Hot Tubs in Rotorua serves private hot tubs for couples or small groups, get yourself a package deal with your choice of beverage while you take a relaxing soak among the native bushland encapsulating your private hot tub.
Onsen Hot Pools and Nugget point – Queenstown, South Island
How can you pass up an experience of bathing privately under the stars? Onsen and Nugget Point both offer the chance of watching the sunset while enjoying the serenity of a hot pool with your significant other. Both spas sit on the same ridge in Queenstown and overlook very similar views, so even if one is booked out, you still have the chance to experience a similar view with the other. I do recommend booking well in advance as these private hot tubs book out quickly particularly during the winter season.
Water Based Adventures
It’s hard to escape the water when you’re living on an island carved by rivers, hollowed by lakes and surrounded by seas. White water rafting, black water rafting, sailing, diving, and cruises are only a small snippet of the water based adventures you can discover on your New Zealand holiday. From visiting one of the wettest places on earth, Milford Sound, and watching sky high waterfalls cascade down the sides of mountains.
The central North Island is drenched in water based activities; white water rafting on the Kaituna River in Rotorua, black water rafting at Waitomo caves, or even surfing at the ever popular Piha beach. Theres no shortage of adrenaline seeking or summer day relaxed beach activities to keep you and your family interested.
The South Island has plenty of family friendly adventures, Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound cruises are probably two of the most popular, relaxed activities to do in the lower South Island. Take a trip on a large ferry and witness millions of litres of water tumble down countless waterfalls in Milford Sound. A fantastic photo opportunity and an experience your family will treasure for years to come.
Wine vs Fresh Seafood
This one was a trick question… you’re in New Zealand! New Zealand is home to several wine making regions in both the North and South Islands, and our fish can even be sourced yourself! A New Zealand holiday can’t exist without trying our very own wine or fresh fish sourced right from the ocean you’re swimming in.
North Island
Waiheke island is Auckland’s ‘Island of wine’. Every summer men and women dress up in their best clothes and flock to Waiheke Island. Bouncing between vineyards with spectacular views of the city and picture perfect lawns or vines to explore. Hawkes Bay is also another popular North Island winery hopping destination. Hawkes Bay is where Church Road and Craggy Range wines originate, as well as the very popular Villa Maria and Mission Estate wineries. At Least 20 vineyards and wineries crowd the region making it a great holiday destination for those wanting to wet their palate.
Fishing Charters
Fishing charters are a popular activity in Auckland for groups to go out and try their luck at fishing. There are several fishing charters that run in the Auckland harbour and can take large groups of fish loving enthusiasts. Otherwise hunting for your own shellfish is common across the coasts of the islands. A fishing charter may be expensive, but it is a great activity if you have a large group of friends on your New Zealand holiday.
South Island
If your New Zealand holiday takes you to the south island then the Otago region is full of wineries big and small. Take a tiki-tour along State Highway 6 between Queenstown and Cromwell and you’ll come across several small wineries. Be sure to visit the local Countdown or New World and grab yourself a local wine to share for the night. A salmon farm is also based just outside of Wanaka, where you can fish for your own salmon, or buy a freshly smoked vacuum packed salmon straight from the farms fridge.
Whether your exploring New Zealand for the first time or you’re a kiwi wanting a break from your daily routine. I hope this New Zealand holiday guide has helped you decide on where you should visit and what to expect when in beautiful Aotearoa!
