Welcome to Kiwi Money Savers

 

There are so many things to see and do in New Zealand it can be difficult to decide where best to go. I have had numerous people visiting from abroad and this is what I usually suggest.

 

I think it's best to have at least 3 weeks if you can in New Zealand as there's a surprising amount to do in such a small country from amazing beaches in Abel Tasman National Park & Bay of Islands, to the amazing mountains of Queenstown, Wanaka & Milford Sound.

South Island Highlights & suggested itinerary

If I was flying I would try to fly into Christchurch, then move on to Mount Cook, then on to Queenstown, a side trip to Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound. Then I would move on to Wanaka, Go to either Fox or Franz Joesph ( I think Franz is slightly better than Fox as you can see more of it but you do have Lake Matheson (the great mirror lake you see in all the photos) nearby!

Otherwise there isn't that much to see along the west coast. The Pancake rocks (also known as Punakaiki) is nice if you get there at high tide. Otherwise I would head off to Nelson Lakes and then move on to Nelson itself. Note Nelson & Queenstown can get booked up in high season (Jan-Feb) so make sure you book ahead. In fact one time we visited Nelson, all backpackers were booked out.

Then I would head to Abel Tasman National Park & Farewell Spit (if you have time). If you get chance I would also try to get to Queen Charlotte Sound. I would then fly out of Nelson to Auckland and then visit the highlights of North Island.

North Island Highlights

The highlights in the North Island are mainly Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Lake Taupo, Napier (if you like Wine tasting). Wellington is nice but hasn't got that much tourist things to do apart from being the port for the interislander ferry service to South island & having the National Museum Te Papa & being the Capital with the "beehive".

Tongariro Crossing is meant to be the nicest 1 day walk in New Zealand and if you get sunny weather can be spectacular.

I would suggest a longer visit to the South Island than North Island.

 

Lord of the Rings Locations

This link takes you to details of where some of the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed. Having visited some of them I have to say some of them are spectular if not sometimes difficult to reach.

Lord of the Rings Locations in New Zealand

 

 

 

As to when is the best time to come to New Zealand. Officially the best month is February for the weather but both January and March can be great months too. These months have the best sun and you really need good weather to fully enjoy New Zealand's experience. It is usually from 19-28C on both islands in these months but always expected cooler weather as sometimes we can get a freck cold snap come through.

What ever you do I'm sure you'll enjoy your visit to New Zealand.

 

Your Holiday Weather Forecast

As it is the southern Hemisphere summer is generally from December - March. It tends to cool down from end of march onwards but can vary depending on where you are in the country. As New Zealand crosses lots of lattitudes it means in the top of the North Island it can be warm in winter where as at the bottom of the South Island it can be snowing.

So it is best to come well equipped for a number of weather conditions.

I have been trekking in the south island in summer & had snow for one day!

North Island very rarely gets snow to sea level in the winter but gets pretty cold all the same!