The best time to visit New Zealand is during the summer months of December to March. Expect long, bright, sunny days and temperatures between 61°F and 75°F.
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The best time to visit the South Island of New Zealand is December to February if you're looking to experience outdoor fun in optimum summer weather. The average daily temperature ranges from 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit during this time, but bear in mind that the farther south you venture, the cooler lows you may face.
Nelson is situated on the northern coast of the South Island and has one of the best climates in New Zealand. The city is relatively small compared to bigger metropolitan areas such as Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch. If you are looking for sunshine it has a mild, sunny climate with warm summers and mild winters.
The best time to visit New Zealand is during the summer months of December to March. Expect long, bright, sunny days and temperatures between 61°F and 75°F. It's an ideal time to visit the lovely beaches or enjoy the many outdoor activities available, such as hiking and mountain biking.
5-10 days will mean you can take a tour with more time to explore and more 2 nights stops on one island 10-14 days will allow you to visit both the North and South Island starting on one and finishing on the other.
The South Island is a bit cooler, with maximum temperatures around 7–12 °C (45–54 °F), though sometimes lower. The lowest temperature ever recorded was -25.6 °C (-14.1 °F) at Ranfurly in Otago in 1903, with a more recent temperature of -21.6 °C (-6.9 °F) recorded in 1995 in nearby Ophir.
Driving is the perfect way to see the scenic South Island, with great roads through the Southern Alps before swinging back north up the Otago coast. Having a car or campervan to get around means you can structure this route as you want with the added bonus of being able to arrive in places earlier than the tour buses!
How long does it take to drive the length of New Zealand? In theory you could drive the North Island from tip to toe in around 14 hours and the South Island in around 12 non-stop.
The coldest month is usually July and the warmest month is usually January or February. In New Zealand generally there are relatively small variations between summer and winter temperatures, although inland and to the east of the ranges the variation is greater (up to 14°C).
Is New Zealand expensive to visit? New Zealand isn't cheap! Activities, car rentals and accommodations can really add up, making a trip to New Zealand very expensive. Eating in Aotearoa, whether in restaurants or even buying things from the grocery store, can be pricy as many of their goods are imported.
Most travellers need either an NZeTA or a visa to travel to New Zealand. This depends on the passport you are travelling on, and if you will be a visitor or a transit passenger.
Travelling by domestic air lets you see more of the country. This North and South island itinerary includes some of the highlights that you can experience in just 10 days. To see even more incredible cities and attractions, plan your visit for two weeks or more.
New Zealand's South Island hosts the purest natural landscapes you'll ever experience. From wildlife to wineries, glacial valleys to star-filled skies, the South Island offers adventure in all its forms. Choose to explore just one region, or road trip from Picton all the way down to Bluff.
A Scot has set a new world record for the fastest swim across the Cook Strait - the waters between New Zealand's North and South Islands. Andy Donaldson, 31, swam through the night to complete the 23km route in four hours and 33 minutes. It was the third leg of seven comprising the Oceans Seven challenge.
The cost of living in New Zealand, for one person in a major city, is between NZ$3,000-NZ$4,000 per month. A family of four can expect to need NZ$5,000-NZ$6,000 per month to live.