5 Good Reasons to Visit NZ’s South Island in Winter

When deciding on the itinerary for a trip to New Zealand’s South Island, most people have some reservations about whether it’s worth going there in winter. As it’s quite far south, the common idea is that the entire trip would be about footslogging through snowy winter tundra. 

The reality is that New Zealand is quite a small country and there’s no big difference between the North and South Island. A lot of Kiwis claim that the South Island is wonderful in any season, particularly in winter when there’s less crowd and it’s more peaceful.

So, if you have your heart set out on seeing the South Island in winter but you’re still hesitant, here are 5 good reasons why you should give it a chance.

Visit South Island’s hot pools

Summers in New Zealand are all about escaping the sun and cooling off in rivers and glaciers so the hot pools are the last thing anyone would want to do then. However, in winter, this is the place to go. The South Island offers a great number of hot pools for you to try while you’re there.

If you’re keen on spending time outdoors, head to the West Coast to the Welcome Flats Hut on the Copeland Track. To stay as fresh as possible for the 20km walk it offers, you might opt for a free transfer car to get you there quickly with all your outdoor gear. It is a long walk but quite gentle with minimal elevation change that leads you to a modern hut where you can rest for the night and take a dip in one of the three hot pools. 

For travellers who want to skip the hike and simply enjoy hot springs, there are the luxury hot springs in Lake Tekapo or Hanmer Springs. Whatever location you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy a relaxing soak with epic views.

Explore small towns’ delights

In the summer, everyone wants to be outside as much as possible, so winter is an ideal time to stay in and explore the delights and quirks that make each South Island town so special.

There are many interesting pit stops you can make during your South Island road trip. You might want to check out the Totara Estate, a historic 1800’s South Island farm considered as the birthplace of New Zealand’s billion-dollar frozen meat industry. Or you’re more interested in some quiet time as you thumb through an amazing collection-worthy adventure literature books at Adventure Books in Oamaru. 

For some more downtime, catch a movie at Cinema Paradiso in Wanaka where you can cosy up in couches and during intermission, relish in their famous freshly baked cookies or even a glass of local wine. Such hidden joys are overlooked in summer when tourists rush to spend time outdoors in the sun, so winter is the time when you can enjoy these secret spots. 

Enjoy the outdoors

Even if skiing and snowboarding isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy quality outdoor time in winter. While everyone is having a great time up the mountain, you can still revel in the incredibly mild climate. It does get a little chilly sometimes but the temperatures rarely drop below zero in the winter and snow is nowhere to be found on the ground.

There’s a list of things you can outdoors: go for a walk, ride a bike, do an ollie at the skate park, play frisbee golf, paddle out to Ruby Island in Wanaka and climb up a waterfall on the Via Ferrata, go window shopping, enjoy a drink of wine or beer in the sun, skydive pretty much everywhere, horse hike up a mountain, and take a ski-plane onto New Zealand’s longest glacier and try snowshoeing. 

Unless it’s raining cats and dogs, the winters are quite pleasant on the South Island so you can easily enjoy your time in nature just like in summer only now with some extra clothing like a true Kiwi!

Hit the slopes

One of the biggest attractions of the South Island in the winter is the access to superb alpine terrain and a handful of excellent ski fields.

The stunning views at the top of Treble Cone soft white powder overlooking sunny Lake Wanaka will take your breath away! Treble Cone is ideal for all abilities – there are bunny slopes for beginners and a backcountry lift pass that takes you to some of the best fast slopes for pros. Whether you like busy crowded ski resorts or quiet and unique club ski fields, you’re bound to find something to your taste. You might even buy yourself a sledge from The Warehouse and hit the slopes like a kid on a snow day. 

Whatever you may like, just get out there, take advantage of wonderful South Island’s winter and enjoy its magnificent snowy landscapes, hiking trails, great wine and beer and the local spirit of quirky small towns. 

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5 Invigorating Day Hikes to Embark on in New Zealand

The following five invigorating day hikes will take you across the country, from the best spots in the North Island to the emerald lake gems in the central region and the adventure hotspots in the south. If you’ve been looking for extra information on the best hikes in New Zealand, you’ve come to the right place – all that’s left to be done is secure reliable transport such as renting a free transfer car so you needn’t worry about the time lost in between these spectacular locations.

Ben Lomond

If you’re looking towards New Zealand’s South Island as your starting point, consider Queenstown for a day and Ben Lomond as a fantastic day hike. Overlooking Queenstown, or the adventure capital of the world as some like to call it, Ben Lomond offers a memorable day hike that starts right in the heart of New Zealand’s adrenaline hotspot. Follow the Tiki Trail up to the Skyline building but be careful about its first section as it’s quite steep. However, the spectacular views over Lake Wakatipu are worthwhile! 

Just when you think that was all, you’ll be struck by awe-inspiring views towards Mount Aspiring National Park. By this point, you’ll have reached nearly 1,500 metres in elevation after about six hours of hiking. Bear in mind that at these altitudes, the weather conditions can be tricky so be prepared. 

Tongariro Crossing 

With New Zealand’s South Island being so popular for its hiking trails, it can be easy to overlook some of the fantastic hikes on the North Island. The Tongariro Alpine crossing is generally considered to be one of the best day hikes not just in NZ but in the world as well. The walk takes you through New Zealand’s oldest national park, Tongariro National Park, beginning right at the end of the Mangatepopo road. 

This hike is surely not for the faint-hearted! This terrain is quite unique being that this is an active volcanic area. As you approach the Red Crater, you might be tricked into believing you’ve landed on Mars – fiery red characterises the area making it appear almost surreal.

It’ll take you a minimum of seven hours of hiking to reach the Ketetahi Road End with a 1,196-metre change in elevation as you progress towards the crossing so be prepared for lots of ups and downs throughout your day. On the plus side, you’ll get to enjoy true beauties of nature, such as the Emerald Lakes and the Blue Lake.

Lake Rotoiti Circuit

The furthest north of our selected locations in New Zealand’s South Island is Lake Rotoiti, a true local gem located in Nelson Lakes National Park. The day track starts on Kerr Bay, on the shore of Lake Rotoiti. And most of it will take you through a plethora of ferns, mosses, beech trees, and a wide range of peculiar greens. Birdlife comes in abundance as well with Tui and Bellbird/Korimako often heard in a singing battle. Underwater life doesn’t disappoint either, of which the most notable specimen is the New Zealand longfin eel. 

Out of all great hikes in New Zealand, this is one of the longest there are so expect it to take at least seven to ten hours to complete the full circuit depending on the weather and your stamina.

Mueller Hut Route

Mueller Hut Route takes you through the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and as soon as you embark, you will realise why this is considered one of the best hikes the South Island of New Zealand has to offer. It all begins from the White Horse Hill car park that is a quick drive from Mount Cook Village.

As you climb towards your first milestone Sealy Tarns, you’ll be able to see the Mueller and Hooker Lakes in the valley below. It’s also quite common to hear and see Kea and New Zealand Falcon along the route. Once you’ve managed to reach a set of small ponds, the first part of your journey will be complete and despite having climbed 1,882 steps, this is where the real challenge begins – the trail terrain dramatically changes! 

Just make sure you follow the orange trail markers as the weather can turn in a second at this altitude. Once you reach the ridge, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Mueller Glacier. Going south towards the hut, it should take you about 20 minutes to reach this famous Alpine Hut that offers unforgettable views of many of New Zealand’s highest peaks.

Rocky Mountain

As one of the jewels in the Wanaka hiking crown, Rocky Mountain stands out with its flexible offer – several trail options lead from the car park, making it a perfect place to hike with people of different abilities. All of the hikes are under three hours, so they’re ideal for half a day of hiking.

The simplest and easiest option here is a gentle stroll around Diamond Lake along a 2.5km / 1.8-mile track that meanders around the lake with plentiful birdlife to be seen and heard. A step up from this is the Diamond Lake Lookout trail that offers a lush view over the lake. If you have your mind set on the very top, once you reach the Lake Wanaka lookout, you’ll be greeted with stunning views of the lake and its little islands.

Hopefully, by now, you’ve got your bags packed up and hiking boots on ready to start your NZ day adventure in the great outdoors!

Queenstown for the Adventure Seekers: Adrenaline-Pumping Activities

Queenstown is a well-known adventure playground with a plenitude of ways to get your heartbeat up, adrenaline-pumping, and make you ask for more! Whether you get your jollies from extreme sports in the water, the sky, jumping off high places, or racing towards abyss on a downhill bike track, Queenstown, is the home of all that and more. That’s why it’s the self-proclaimed Adventure Capital of the World 🙂

The locals say they’re resilient people and their homeland made for adventure so it’s time you packed your bags, summoned up your wits and courage and stuffed it all in the back of your rented free transfer car, and set off to try something new and escape the rut of everyday life. 

Dashing down the steepest zip line

Right above Queenstown, through the forest canopy, ZipTrek Ecotours will take you through a spectacular eco-adventure and turn you into a world-record breaker as you embark on the world’s steepest tree-to-tree zip line! This means you’ll be dashing through the air at 70 km per hour, at a height of a 30-storey building and all under 10 seconds! An endeavour absolutely worthy of taking a high place on your bucket list, right?

Hurling through the air in the Nevis Valley

As it often goes in life, the unexpected happens all the time so why not do it on purpose? Just for kicks, try the world’s biggest human catapult! It will propel you 150 metres through the air across the Nevis Valley at an amazing speed. This is a one-of-a-kind ride that can’t be found anywhere else in the world so don’t miss it!

Daring Queenstown’s highest cliff jump

Speaking of the adrenalin rush while being up in the air, you’ll get bucketloads of it at the Shotover Canyon Swing – it’s 60 metres of freefall over the Shotover River, swinging through the canyon, strapped in a harness! It will be initially the scariest feeling ever but once you start swinging, you’ll be grinning from ear to ear! 

Taking New Zealand’s highest bungy jump

Taking excitement to the next level, head over AJ Hackett’s, to the home of New Zealand’s highest bungy jump – a 134-meter jump with an 8.5-second freefall, spectacular views and all the screaming you can belt out! Once you leave your fear at the door, the amount of adrenaline and thrill will turn you into a legend!

Racing over Lake Wakatipu

If you’ve never seen a bright orange shark in a freshwater lake, now is the time to do so! It’s called the Hydro-Attack and you’ll find it at Lake Wakatipu surrounded by amazing views of the Remarkables mountain range and Queenstown CBD. This semi-submersible shark ride will races you over and below Lake Wakatipu like a torpedo at speeds of up to 80km so extreme excitement shall not be lacking!

Enjoying New Zealand’s first-ever riverboarding trip

For the true adventure seekers, dipping in the Whitewater rapids is a must!  Engage in a true face-off with the Kawarau River challenging your nerves from start to finish with Serious Fun Riverboarding. Complete this mission and mark off yet another extreme action sport from your jam-packed Queenstown adventure itinerary.

Rafting down New Zealand’s longest rapids

Cruising further down the Kawarau River, paddling through Gibbston before arriving at Dog Leg will take you through 400m of pure Whitewater, on one raft with a guide and a crew of adrenaline-seeking paddlers. Making it through to the end without ending up in the notorious Dog Leg rapids will leave you with a huge sense of accomplishment and tons of adrenaline pumping through your body!

Biking like a true expert

Back on the dry land, racing downhill on a bike at one of the three lift-accessed downhill bike parks in Queenstown, with the wind in your hair, taking in the epic views over your handlebars will make you feel as if you’re flying! The gondola can take you to the Queenstown Bike Park or you can head to Cardrona Alpine Resort for some of the best outdoor adventure sports activities there are. Queenstown is New Zealand’s only location with lift-assisted downhill bike parks so you’ll be saving your legs on the ride up and taking full advantage of the time for downhill thrills.

Experiencing the Ultimate Off-Roader at Oxbow Adventure Co. 

Ultimate Off-Roader is a 4-seat vehicle that carries a professional driver and 3 passengers. It’s a 4WD, 4-wheel steer and has a very low centre of gravity which means they can go practically anywhere. You’ll definitely have to hold on tight as you rush around the custom-built course that incorporates almost vertical hill climbs and descents and crazy-looking rock features. The compound was built by the New Zealand Off-Road Champion exclusively for Oxbow, so only there can you have this extraordinarily thrilling experience.

Queenstown’s pioneering spirit is contagious and it won’t fail to both inspire you and challenge you to push your limits further, because ultimately, this one life is all you’ve got!

How to Enjoy a Truly Merry Kiwi Christmas

Being located way down in the South Pacific, New Zealand finds itself in the middle of summer at Christmas time, so the celebrations take on a completely different form – families typically flock to beaches, go swimming and stay outdoors as long as they wish, coming back indoors only for the festive dinner. Read on to learn how to have a jolly good time in the Christmas season in New Zealand.  

What to Expect From a Kiwi Christmas 

There’s no such thing as white Christmases in NZ which are typical for the northern hemisphere’s snowy winter Christmases. The Kiwis mostly enjoy warm and sunny weather each year on 25 December with their traditional versions of the Christmas tree and food delicacies. 

Kiwi Christmas Trees

Similar to the northern hemisphere way, Christmas in NZ is celebrated with Christmas trees, presents, stockings and traditional decorations. The Kiwi traditional Christmas tree is the native pōhutakawa, which is usually found in coastal areas. It’s a red-needled, shade-offering tree that is more of a spiritual Christmas tree for New Zealanders and it’s not usually cut down and brought indoors for display due to their protected status. For this purpose, pine trees are used and there are plenty of them in NZ.

Kiwi Christmas Food 

A typical Christmas dinner, which sometimes turns into lunch, differs from one family to the other but often includes a roast ham/chicken/turkey with vegetables, kumara (similar to sweet potato), potatoes and gravy. Desserts usually take on a British theme which means there’s a ‘Christmas cake’ (fruit cake) served with steamed ‘Christmas pudding’ and mince pies. One dessert the Kiwis love to serve and call it their signature dessert is the Pavlova — a large meringue coated in cream and topped with sliced fruits like strawberries and Kiwi Fruit.

The real summer king of the parties is the barbecue, so it’s not unusual for families to get it cranked up even on Christmas day. Also, a beach picnic is another beautiful way to dine on Christmas Day. If you’re especially lucky during your visit, you might get a chance to sample a traditional Māori Hāngi dish made of meat and root vegetables cooked in the ground using hot rocks.

A Short Break until New Year’s Eve

The New Year’s Day, January 1 and January 2 are both public holidays in NZ, so New Year’s Eve parties are really a big thing and many people take days off their work and have a summer holiday stretching from Christmas Eve throughout to January 3, or even longer. Taking a dip in the water on Christmas Day is a kind of a ritual in New Zealand, and most NZ beaches get swamped with people using the presents they had received that morning!

Road Trips around New Zealand in the Holiday Season

NZ is a long and slender country so exploring it by road is probably the best way to reach all the best summer spots in the Christmas season and holiday. A very convenient and recommended way of travelling is by renting a free transfer car – it’s green, affordable and gives you all the freedom you want to make numerous road trips to beaches, villages, towns and sites around all over the country. 

What to Expect from a New Zealand Summer

Summertime in New Zealand is all about being out in the great outdoors and taking advantage of the warm weather and gorgeous scenery. The summer lasts from December to February with temperatures ranging from 20 degrees Celsius up to the mid-30s, but this depends on the region.

As much as we all love spending time outdoors basking in the summer sun, you have to be careful and bear I mind how harsh the sun can be. The best advice is to stay SunSmart, avoid direct sun exposure and sunburns, but most of all, follow the local rule of the slip, slop, slap and wrap — slip on a shirt, slop on sunblock (SPF 30+ minimum), slap on a sun hat, and wrap on a pair of sunglasses.

Swimming in New Zealand’s sea, lakes and rivers

Since NZ is an island country, there’s no shortage when it comes to amazing beaches, lakes and rivers to that offer a cool escape from the summer heat. Swimming and surfing are a mandatory part of Kiwi summer experience and some of the beaches and swimming spots offer free access to their idyllic grounds.

Hiking and Cycling in New Zealand

In the lands of down under, hiking is often called ‘tramping’ and there are some amazing trails to explore that stretch the length of the country. Visitors can choose the terrain according to their level of fitness so the walks can range in length from 20–30 minutes right up to several day missions that include staying overnight in huts along the trail. A thing to remember is you should get prepared for all weather conditions and inform your friends or family where you are going – safety first! 

Cycling and mountain biking are quickly gaining popularity in NZ so you have the option of buying or renting a bike and enjoying dedicated cycle paths. Whatever you choose to do while in New Zealand, spending Christmas there will certainly be a unique experience that will give you life-long memories and probably entice you to keep coming back!

Travelling Safely in New Zealand in Times of Covid-19

As the global COVID-19 pandemic sweeps the world, countries are doing their best to keep their people safe. Although travelling is quite difficult right now and many regions are off limits, exploring your own country and enjoying its beauties is still possible, provided you take all the necessary precautions.

New Zealand is still at Alert Level 1, which means there are a lot of regulations everyone must abide by in order to protect themselves and others from the virus and its spreading. The rules are as follows:

  • Face coverings legally must be worn on all public transport to, from and through Auckland, on domestic flights throughout New Zealand and by Auckland taxi and ride-share drivers.
  • Border control remains for travellers entering New Zealand which include health screening and testing for all arrivals, and mandatory 14 day isolation or quarantine.
  • Staying at home if you’re sick is advised and especially important at Alert Level 1 in order to minimize the risk of COVID-19 being spread in the community.
  • At Alert Level 1 COVID-19 is contained, but it’s still important to keep a safe distance from strangers as it helps minimize the spread of COVID-19 if community transmission returns.

Leaving your home

At Alert Level 1, you’re allowed to leave your home, have freedom of movement and get together with as many people as you want. However, you will be encouraged to use a face mask in public transport and in situations where you cannot maintain physical distance from others, for instance in shopping malls and supermarkets.

It’s important to emphasize that it’s still necessary to play it safe and alert in case the virus re-enters the communities in New Zealand. So, everyone is encouraged to maintain their hygiene at high level, stay at home if there are any symptoms of illness and get tested, as well as keep track of your movements and contacts.

If you’re planning to travel, it’s imperative you take all precautions and have a good plan in advance. Your packing list will differ as now you’ll need to pack face masks, hand sanitizers, sanitizing wipes and additional food, snacks and drinks in case you need to prolong your travel due to restrictions, or you don’t feel comfortable shopping in crowded supermarkets.

One way to maintain safe distance from others and avoid public transfer is to travel with a free transfer carthat’s a very convenient way to take you to your desired destination without having to share transport with anyone else or depend on someone’s itinerary.

Local travel

At Alert Level 1, people are allowed to travel but they are advised to do it in a safe way. All public transport operators are obligated to display QR posters that help commuters keep track of where they’ve been and it’s recommended for everyone to use the NZ COVID Tracer for this purpose or any other convenient method.

As mentioned previously, when travelling around New Zealand at Alert Level 1, a face mask must be worn on all public transport, domestic flights, in taxis and shared rides. In the latter, the drivers are obligated but passengers aren’t – however, it’s strongly recommended they do it as well. The only exemption is private flights.

Regional travel

With the current situation being at Alert Level 1, you are allowed to travel to any other region in New Zealand that is at Alert Level 1 or 2, but make sure you get well informed about the situation and regulations in advance and organized accordingly.

It’s a smart move to keep track of where you’ve been and that can easily be done with the NZ COVID Tracer app – it will keep track of all locations you visit during your trip, as people often can’t recall all the places they’ve visited.

If you’re planning to travel to more remote areas, you should check with local tourist authorities for guidelines before setting out. It’s recommended you register your details with a visitor information centre, upload the scans of your documents and itinerary to your email account and possibly leave details with family or friends as well. Also, bear in mind that the weather conditions can quickly change and become treacherous in some areas so get informed about regional weather forecasts.

At Alert Level 1, all regions will have the same regulations regarding wearing face masks in all forms of public transport and you’ll be expected to maintain your hygiene and keep distance from others. Even if there’s no legal requirement, travellers are encouraged to wear face coverings on public transport and be mindful of their behaviour.

In case you are sick and have developed symptoms of COVID-19, you should stay at home and cancel your travel plans. If this happens during your trip and you’re away from your home, contact the Health Line, your GP or Nurse Practitioner to find out what you should do and if you should get a test.

If you’re advised to get tested, don’t wait until you get home but rather do it from wherever you are in the country at that moment. There’s no doubt that travelling is not easy right now, but hopefully, you will be able to get organized using the tips listed and travel safely in New Zealand even at the times of pandemic.

7 Breath-Taking Mountains in New Zealand Every Adventurer Must Discover

New Zealand is one of the most mountainous countries in the world if we compare its area with the number of mountains. A country that is a bit larger than the UK has more than twenty peaks higher than 3,000m. Such a variety of mountainous regions and high peaks make New Zealand an exciting spot for various adventures and adrenaline addicts. So, it’s time to rent a free campervan and organize a climbing trip around New Zealand. The mountains in this article are either the most popular or most suitable ones for climbers, skiers and other avid travellers.  

Mount Tasman 

Part of the NZ Southern Alps, with an altitude of 3,497m, Mount Tasman is one of the most impressive mountains in New Zealand. Because of its height (the second largest peak in NZ), terrain, and structure, it’s one of the most demanding areas for mountaineers, as well. As such, it’s recommended mostly to experienced climbers with a lot of conquered mountain summits behind them. Since it might take some time to climb the top, do your homework before visiting this mountain and learn more about available accommodation huts on Mount Tasman.

The Remarkables

A visually attractive mountain close to Queenstown, The Remarkables mountain range has mild slopes and a moderate ascend. That’s why it’s one of the most popular ski destinations in New Zealand. Situated in the background of Lake Wakatipu, it forms a perfect natural unit with the lake. If you’re planning to go skiing on this mountain, don’t miss the opportunity to go for a hike around the lake. On the other hand, if you’re more into climbing, try to climb the highest peak of The Remarkables – Double Cone, which is 2,319 meters high. 

Mount Cook

The highest mountain in New Zealand and the top peak of the Southern Alps, Mount Cook offers a unique climbing experience. Since it’s often cited as the most hazardous climbing area in New Zealand, you shouldn’t go climbing there unless you’re a versatile mountaineer. If you decide to take the plunge and test your climbing skills here, prepare for three different mountain summits: The High Peak, the Middle Peak and the Low Peak.

Mount Maunganui

A bit different from its predecessors in this guide, Mount Maunganui is only called a mountain. With the altitude of 232 meters, if’s more of a hill than a full-scale mountain. Nevertheless, Mount Maunganui is one of the most popular elevated areas in New Zealand. Situated by the Pacific Ocean, on the outskirts of Tauranga, Mount Maunganui is now a dead volcano that attracts thousands of tourists every year. At the foot of this hill, you can swim in the azure ocean or spend vacations at a local resort, only to climb to the top and take some breath-taking photos with the endless water behind you. 

Mount Taranaki

Situated in the westernmost part of the North Island, Mount Taranaki is a 2,518 high mountain. Its moderate height and the cone-shaped summit make this mountain accessible for average climbers, as well. Still, you need a lot of climbing skills and experience to get to the top of this mountain. 
On your way to the top, drop by to Egmont National Park, where you can go hiking along marvellous mountain trails or hunting. 

Mount Ruapehu

Placed in the heart of the North Island, Mount Ruapehu has an altitude of 2,797 meters. The most interesting characteristic of this mountain is that it’s still an active volcano. So, you can go mountaineering, hiking or skiing on a mountain that’s a living volcano. What’s more, there’s a massive crater on Mount Ruapehu. There are ski runs on the south side (Turoa) and the north side (Whakapapa). These two skiing slopes form one of the largest ski areas in New Zealand.

Mount Ngauruhoe

Only 25 km away from Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe is also an active volcano. The entire mountain consists of layers of lava and volcanic rocks. Rising to 2,291 meters, this mountain represents an interesting climbing challenge. Even though not as demanding as Mount Cook or Mount Tasman, Mount Ngaurahoe is not a cakewalk, so approach this mountain with proper climbing concentration. Also, think about finding a free transfer car to visit Ngauruhoe and other North Island mountains during a single mountaineering trip around New Zealand. 
These mountains, peaks and glaciers are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of New Zealand climbing experiences. After you visit some or all these places, feel free to explore more on your own and check out other interesting regions in this incredible country.