January is mid-summer in New Zealand, and peak tourism season. Schools are on holiday until the end of the month, so you'll encounter a lot of domestic tourists throughout the country. Temperatures are generally warm, although there's a lot of variation between the far north and the deep south. January also tends to be New Zealand's driest month, so conditions are good for outdoor adventures.
April is the middle of autumn in New Zealand. In some parts of the country, that means the leaves on the trees turn orange and the air is crisp and cool. In others, especially further north, April can still be quite warm, especially earlier in the month. April is shoulder season in New Zealand, so you will see tourists around, but many places will not be as busy as they are during peak season. But, if Easter falls in April then expect domestic travelers to be out and about.
July is mid-winter in New Zealand, which means cool and damp in most of the north, and cold, damp or snowy in the south. It's not peak season unless you're into skiing, and then you're in luck. Here are some important things to know about traveling to New Zealand in July.
March is the first month of autumn in New Zealand, but summery conditions tend to linger, and in many parts of the country March is almost as warm and sunny as February. The further south you go, however, the more autumnal the weather, with leaves on the trees turning orange. If Easter falls in March then expect an increase in domestic tourists at popular places, otherwise March is the shoulder season in New Zealand. Here's what you need to know about traveling in New Zealand in March.
Ten days is a great amount of time for a New Zealand trip: you'll easily experience the top highlights of both islands—North and South—plus outdoor activities and themed adventures (Middle-earth, anyone?). With less time, stick to one island for a comfortably-paced, immersive tour; if you're dead set on seeing both islands in less than a week, be prepared to move quickly. Travelers with two weeks can see it all or combine the country's top sights with a week of fun in Australia.
February is mid-summer in New Zealand, and also peak tourism season. But, schools go back earlier in the month, so international visitors won't be competing with locals for space on beaches or in camp grounds as they do in January, plus weather conditions continue to be ideal for outdoor activities. Here are some important things to know about traveling to New Zealand in February.
Most people visiting Auckland, Rotorua, and Wellington spend about 10 to 11 days in New Zealand, which usually includes some time in Queenstown as well. If you're not interested in Queenstown, 8 to 10 days is enough for your Auckland, Rotorua, and Wellington trip. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as seven days. For the best itineraries, including Auckland, Rotorua, and Wellington, keep reading below.
Travelers to New Zealand typically plan a trip for 11 to 14 days when combining Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, and Queenstown with Aoraki / Mount Cook. If you're only headed to Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, and Queenstown, you can enjoy a comfortably-paced trip in 11 to 12 days. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as 9 or 10 days. Check out the below favored Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, and Queenstown trips.
October is a great time to travel to and around New Zealand. It's the middle of spring, so the weather is often fine and warm, but it's still the shoulder season so even the most popular places aren't especially crowded. Here are some important things to know about traveling to New Zealand in October.
December is the start of summer, and the peak season, in New Zealand. The weather can be great, or it can be cooler and wetter than later in the summer. New Zealand schools are out from mid-late December, so you'll encounter many domestic travelers as well as foreign tourists. Here are some important things to know about traveling to New Zealand in December.