Advice for visiting New Zealand for the first time
I'm planning a round the world trip and want to include NZ in my gap year itinerary. Is there any advice you could give to people travelling to NZ?
What were you glad you did/took?
What do you wish you did?
What would you NOT do again?
Was there anything you would add to your packing list??
I know there is a general forum asking similar things, but I was thinking of things that are specifically for NZ.
Glad that I …
- did the Canyon Swing
- took lots of adaptors for phone/camera etc.
- took backpack AND small day bag. Having the two was handy!
- stayed 2 days in Christchurch pre-tour and 1.5 days in Auckland post-tour. It gave me a good chance to see lots of things at my own pace
Wish I…
- Was more vigilant with sunscreen and cold & flu tablets. You can get sick easily!
- could have done skydiving. I didn’t choose it as an optional but as it was, it got cancelled due to bad weather.
- brought more dressy clothes/accessories. We went out for tea/clubbing a fair bit and although I was comfortable in pretty flats, I felt a bit weird out of heels!!
I wouldn’t…
- Do the canyon swing again! It was hell scary!!!
Hey guys!
Im from NZ and just wanted to warn anyone who is reading this for travelling here in the future that NZ weather is extremely unpredictable!! Especially in winter. Sometimes we have four seasons in one day (not joking). The North Island is more wet and windy and the South Island is more dry but generally alot colder and you get more snow.
You dont need to worry as much about pick pockets or scam artists here as you would in Europe but keeping in mind to use common sence, if someone sees something they like sitting around unattended it will probably be picked up.
Otherwise if your coming in winter seriously dress warmly, bring LOTS of warm tops, beanies, scarfs, gloves and socks and leggings for under your pants if your in the South! If your coming in summer it is very hot and humid in the North and again quite dry but maybe not as hot in the South but still hot so pack as you would for any summer but can sometimes get cold at night so bring a jumper.
Also people here are very very friendly and helpful, if they can’t help you find your way or help in any other they will usually point you in the direction of someone who can.
Have fun and enjoy NZ! Its a gorgeous country, I love it here and I'm sure you will too! =D
Glad that I took…
- Herbal Cold and Flu tablets (you can buy there though)
- Umbrella
- Togs/Swimmers (I went in Winter – don’t think that you won’t need them during that time of year! Some optionals you need togs)
Wish I…
- Took MORE packets of cold & Flu tablets with me. They were a life-saver, and when I ran out I caught the cough pretty quickly
- Went skydiving in Queenstown. I just couldn’t fit it in.
- Took advantage of the free gondala ride in Queenstown… again, ran out of time. I’m so jealous of my tour mate’s pictures from up the top of the mountain.
Not do…
- Nothing. I would do everything all over again.
- Although, in saying that the Quad Bikes were ok… that would probably be the only thing I would skip if I had to choose something.
Add to packing…
- In Winter: Thermals for my legs. Stockings under jeans didn’t really cut it
I was last in New Zealand at the start of 2019 and I am actually going back again Next Year but for medical reasons things like Zorbing, JetBoats and the Luge in Rotorua are off limits to me so won’t be able to do those again. I am pleased I took a sense of adventure to meet new people and have a good time with me and I am pleased on my last visit there I did every activity known to man kind there is there in NZ too numerous to list.
I wish I had done a Cape Brett Cruise in the Bay of Islands which I PLAN to do on my next visit and go to the clubs a bit more with the group other than that I loved the place. For touring New Zealand I would check out Contiki or Topdeck.