Travel Guide to New Zealand Seasons

Updated on May 20, 2023 | Online New Zealand Visa

Sitting in the range south of the Tropic of Capricorn, this southern country is an all-weather tourist destination. Both North and the South Island regions of New Zealand offer moderate climate and temperatures to its visitors making it a year-round holiday destination.

Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Tasman Sea and Southern Alps, you will find spectacular natural beauty on this land far south and enough picturesque locations to amaze you for a long time.

The country enjoys long periods of daylight, mellow temperatures, and high precipitation through most of its regions. Before planning a trip to this gorgeous land of Aotearoa take some time to explore the country’s weather, places to see in their best season and other important things you might need to know as a first-time visitor to this country.

New Zealand Visa (NZeTA)

New Zealand eTA Application Form now allows visitors from all nationalities to obtain New Zealand eTA (NZETA) by email without visiting New Zealand Embassy. New Zealand Visa application process is automated, simple, and completely online. New Zealand Immigration now officially recommends Online New Zealand Visa or New Zealand ETA online rather than sending paper documents. You can obtain New Zealand eTA by filling out a form on this website and making the payment using a Debit or Credit Card. You will also require a valid email id as New Zealand eTA information will be sent to your email id. You do not need visit an embassy or consulate or to send your passport for Visa stamping. If you are arriving to New Zealand by the Cruise Ship route, you should check the New Zealand ETA eligibility conditions for Cruise Ship arrival to New Zealand.

Spring Season in New Zealand

The most vibrant season of spring begins in September and reaches till November until the beginning of summer.

This is the time when people start embracing the outdoor activities and explore the great outdoors this country has to offer. Explore some of the best places to see in New Zealand in the spring season to get the best out of your travel experience.

Best Things to See in Spring in New Zealand
Lambs in Central Otago

With more sheeps than humans, New Zealand is the best place to witness large herds of sheep spread in gorgeous open fields, a view perfectly giving the vibe of spring season.

In central Otago try going to sheep farming tours considered as one of the best sheep farming places in Otago Peninsula. You can see the world’s cutest Swiss Valais Blacknose sheep in family or group guided tours taking you through a spectacular landscape scenery.

Arthur’s Pass National Park

A historic and highest pass over the Southern Alps, this national park is one gorgeous beauty of the South Island. With mostly mountainous terrain, the Arthur’s Pass National Park was the first national park formed in the South Island region of New Zealand.

The national park also consists of the only railway crossing tunnel in the south island.

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Cathedral Cove

Located on the Coromandel Peninsula, the Cathedral Cove’s perfect arch beaches make it the most refreshing spring scenery. One of the best sites in the coromandel, a short walk through the dramatic cliffs and arches of these beaches would be a perfect day out to explore the more than gorgeous ocean views in New Zealand.

Also known as the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve in the native Maori language, the stunning walkway can be best explored either by foot or through guided boat tours.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

A challenging yet rewarding hike through the mountainous terrains, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is recognised both for its cultural as well as natural significance.

Take a journey through New Zealand’s greatest walks and best day hikes, the hike usually takes around six to nine hours to complete journeying through the incredible Tongariro National Park. Not just the best in New Zealand but this short is known to be the best in the world hence making it a must to include in your itinerary.

Where to See Lupins in Spring?

Blooming in the season of spring to summer, the peak lupin season can be observed best in the Mackenzie Country, New Zealand, and central Otago. Plan a South Island Road trip during the advent of spring to witness the gorgeous bloom stretching all along your journey as far as Queenstown.

On your trip to New Zealand you must plan a visit to Lake Tekapo, Lake Wanaka, the Ahuriri river from mid November to early January to observe the best of this flowering season clearly marking the beginning of spring.

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If you want to visit the beautiful locations of New Zealand, then there are many hassle-free ways to plan your trip to the country. You can explore your dream locations like Auckland, Queenstown, Wellington and plenty of other gorgeous cities and places within New Zealand. Learn more at New Zealand Visitor Information.

Outdoors and Summers

Stretching from December to February, summer months in New Zealand offer a hot but not humid climate. Perfect time exploring the gorgeous outdoors of the country, swimming, road trips and outdoor adventures, get the best from summers in New Zealand.

You will experience moderate rainfall and many hours of sunshine and some of the best scenery in New Zealand can only be witnessed in summers.

Best Places to see in Summer
Auckland

A perfect blend of nature and urban life, Auckland’s summers are best to explore with its large ports and vibrant urban life. Try skydiving, hike through ancient volcanic cones or simply stroll through the night life of this diverse city of NewZealand.

Queenstown

Set against the dramatic southern alps, the South Island city of Queenstown is a must to include on your travel plans to New Zealand. Standing by The Remarkables, the Cecil Peak and Walter Peak, this resort town in Otago would offer you worlds best adventure sports, wide open vineyards and historic mining town all at one place.

Wellington

Set in the North Island, there are many good reasons why Wellington is New Zealand’s best place to be the country’s capital city. Known as the reactive and cultural heart of New Zealand, Wellington is home to award winning eateries, craft beer, national museums, and great coffee too!

Autumn in the South

The months of March, April and May welcome the season of Autumn in New Zealand. The most settled weather in the whole year, enjoy hiking amidst golden leaves, kayaking, cycling and more with temperatures ranging from 7 to 21 degrees celsius. Explore some of the best things to do in autumn in New Zealand.

Mild Weather

Try exploring any city or town of the country during mild weather season like this to make being outdoors more fun and relaxing than usual.

Quieter Roads

If you like solo excursions or more laid-back holidays then this season would offer you the best of New Zealand's scenery without its peak season crowd. Good weather would stretch till late autumn.

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Arrowtown Autumn Festival

Cycle or walk round the Arrow River,around the Millenium trail to see the spectacular autumn visulas. The dazzling gold, red and brown leaves would leave you awestruck as you travel around the tree lined streets of this town, cafes housed in historic buildings and cycle friendly tracks are all that you need to see the autumn season charm of New Zealand.

Winters in New Zealand

Beautiful snow-covered mountain vistas, ski resorts and rain in most parts of the country, the South island region becomes perfect for winter sports and activities. The months of June, July and August mark the advent of winter with colder weather and rain. Explore some of the best places to see in New Zealand winters.

Mount Ruapehu Skiing

Considered as New Zealand’s largest winter playground, with the best place to enjoy the snow landscapes of the region. Ski and travel in the epic north island ski areas. Mount Ruapehu Crater lake can be seen by a hike up to a ski field. You can access the country's best ski slopes and many of New Zealand’s highest life accessible peaks too!

South Island Winters

Simply choose from a variety of preferences to enjoy your winters in New Zealand. The country simply becomes a winter wonderland in the winter season with a range of winter sports and activities to explore.

The rugged South Island is the best option to explore the winter scenery but clear blue skies, complete white landscape and dazzling lakes. From snow slopes, ski resorts to popular towns of Queenstown and Arrowtown, South island is the perfect winter getaway in New Zealand.

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Queenstown

Queenstown, also known as the adventure capital of the world is renowned for its winter slopes and range of winter outdoor activities. Access the world class ski fields, resort towns and many other winter activities during this lovely season in the South Island.

New Zealand enjoys mild temperatures during the majority time of the year. The north island region shares a subtropical climate in the summer months while the South Island winters can be chilly as -10 degrees. Since a large portion of the country lies near the coastal landscapes, it directly means that majority regions of South Island enjoy mild weather, light rains and freedom to explore many winter worthy places through snowboarding or snowmobiling.

No region of the earth is free from the extreme weather e=conditions and the same goes as the case for this Southern hemisphere country where temperatures become more diminished as you keep travelling south. The north island region on the other hand promoted a more subtropical climate with the hottest months of December to February becoming a popular tourism destination.

Long Hours of Daylight

As you travel around New Zealand you will find most places with more hours of daylight, with the sunniest zones including Nelson receiving more than 2000 hours of daylight. During the summer months sunlight can last upto 9 pm or much later in the evening in many parts of the country.

As a good advice, consider sunburn to be a serious issue as you travel to New Zealand. The peak daytime from 11 am to 4 pm is best advised to keep distance from the blazing clear sun rays which due to little air contamination is very sharp in this south island country.

UV beams during daylight are specifically solid and wearing caps, sunscreens, shades are the best precautions one must take seriously while travelling around the country during summers. Even in the winter months most regions of New Zealand receive a high extent of daylight.

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Visitors from Visa Free nations, also known as Visa Waiver countries, must apply for an online electronic travel authorization in the form of a New Zealand eTA from 2019. Learn more at New Zealand Tourist Visa.

Expect Mild Rain

Normal precipitation in New Zealand is high but is uniformly spread across regions. Making the country a perfect spot for agriculture and other cultivating activities. Even in mild rains you can explore various parts of the country where you can experience the seasonal treasures offered by that place.

Currency- What to Know About New Zealand Dollar?

As a matter of advice for easy travel, plan to change your currency in your home country rather than changing it as you land in New Zealand. You can use an offshore credit card to avoid converting currency locally as that can be expensive after you land in New Zealand.

It is best to carry money rather than being dependent on plastic money or ATM’s. Although there is no dearth of such options all around the country, it is best to carry some money with you as you travel around rather than being always dependent on other ways of payment. Mastercard, AMEX and Visa are broadly accepted. Most places avoid charging you extra if you use them.

Do not expect to bargain at retails in New Zealand as the fixed cost concept is widely strict around the region. Retailers avoid moving from a fixed cost in majority cases however although rare, in case you see an opportunity to talk it out somewhere then you might give it a try.

Tips are more out of the personal willingness to pay rather than a usual scene. Don’t consider tipping to be a ‘have to’ concept in New Zealand as tips are usually incorporated into costs. On some occasions you might see a ten to twenty percent extra charge at cafes, bars or restaurants.

Lowest denomination starts from a ten cent coin. Rounding up becomes common but it might change depending on the vendor or dealer.

In a matter of a few minutes you can try applying for NZeTA or an e-visa for New Zealand and get your travel authorization to visit the country. Plan a hassle free trip to New Zealand and receive your e-visa much quicker than a traditional visa.

New Zealand eTA or electronic travel authorisation would allow you to visit the country with the help of an electronic permit for a given period of time.

Contrary to a traditional visa process, an all online visa application process would save loads of time from visiting any embassy or office to get your travel authorization.

You can apply for NZeTA through an all online process to get your e-visa for New Zealand within 1 to 2 business days at your doorstep.

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Frequently Asked Questions about the New Zealand eTA Visa. Get answers to the most common questions about the requirements, important information and documents required to travel to the New Zealand. Learn more at New Zealand eTA (NZeTA) Frequently Asked Questions.

Ensure that you have checked the eligibility for your Online New Zealand Visa. If you are from a Visa Waiver country then you can apply for an Online New Zealand Visa or New Zealand eTA regardless of the mode of travel (Air / Cruise). United States citizens, European citizens, Canadian citizens, United Kingdom citizens, French citizens, Spanish citizens and Italian citizens can apply online for New Zealand eTA. United Kingdom residents can stay on New Zealand eTA for 6 months while others for 90 days.