Ways to see New Zealand

New Zealand offers a diversity of travel experiences, from all-inclusive guided tours to great options for free independent travellers, so you are sure to find just the right mode of travel for your client.

 

How to get there

Most visitors to New Zealand arrive by air, although the country is also a popular stop for cruise ships during summer. It is not a difficult country to get to – flights are plentiful, and many airline alliances service the region. Although New Zealand is geographically isolated, flights are not as long as visitors might expect – it takes approximately 10 hours to fly from Los Angeles, 12 hours from Singapore, Hong Kong or Tokyo, and three and a half hours from the east coast of Australia. When planning the first day of your clients’ itinerary, allow some relaxation time on arrival rather than having them start a long journey.

When to go

New Zealand really is a year-round destination. A temperate maritime climate means that temperature changes throughout the year are not extreme, and at any time of the year your clients will be able to get outdoors and enjoy the activities that make New Zealand famous. During spring (September to November), New Zealand’s gardens put on a fantastic show of blossoms and bulbs, making it a great time to visit Christchurch, the ‘Garden City’, or any of the other destinations famous for their gardens, such as Taranaki and Hamilton. Temperatures are pleasantly mild, warming throughout the season. Summer (December to February) is high season in New Zealand, so crowds will be a little larger – but crowds in New Zealand are rarely big enough to be an impediment to visitor enjoyment. This time of the year is perfect for exploring the beaches and enjoying watersports. Settled weather and warm temperatures also make it a great time for visitors to go camping. In Autumn (March to May), summer crowds disperse but the weather usually remains settled and warm until late in the season, making this a great time to visit. In parts of the country, such as Central Otago, the changing colours of the leaves are a spectacular sight. Winter (June to August) is, of course, the perfect time to visit for those planning a ski or snowboard holiday, but even off the slopes New Zealand is a great wintertime destination – as long as visitors pack warm clothing and a raincoat, the landscape remains accessible throughout the year.

How to see the country

Are your clients confident travellers keen to explore New Zealand on their own terms or would they prefer someone else to take care of the details? Intrepid explorer or dedicated hedonist, New Zealand can cater to all kinds of visitors.

Organised Tours

If your clients don’t want to miss a thing but prefer to let someone else do the driving, why not book them a package tour? New Zealand has an excellent system of coach, rail and ferry operators offering a wide variety of packages, from straightforward city-to-city transfers to all-inclusive tours. Discounted passes allowing multiple coach journeys are a great option for budget-conscious travellers wanting to arrange their own itinerary. Specialised activity tours aimed at independent travellers and backpackers extend the convenience of a multi-journey bus pass to accommodation and activities. If your clients are interested in a more packaged travel itinerary, there is a great range of options available to suit all budgets and interests. Look for special-interest tours such as wine-tasting or Lord of the Rings packages. For travellers, organised tours offer the advantage of a dedicated professional tour guide and the convenience of having accommodation, meals and luggage taken care of. Turn to page 64 for a list of national tour operators – for region-specific operators, check the relevant regional section.

Free Independent Travellers

New Zealand is the ultimate destination for independent travellers of all ages and interests! New Zealanders have a proud history of exploring every corner of their country, so it’s well equipped for those that like to go it alone. Friendly and safe, with relaxed and liberal attitudes to women and minorities, New Zealand is a destination that you can confidently recommend to your Free Independent clients. Great value activity, accommodation and transport options are available throughout the country. Transport is often a major expense for those that like to explore, however New Zealand offers a range of travel passes to make your client’s budget stretch further. Look for multi-flight air passes, often available in conjunction with international flights, coach passes offered by major bus lines and rail passes. The New Zealand Travelpass offers unlimited travel with InterCity Coachlines and Newmans Coachlines, plus the Interislander Cook Strait Ferry. See www.travelpass.co.nz for further information.

Travelling with Family

New Zealand is a great place for families to enjoy an unforgettable adventure together. You may like to recommend that your clients rent a car to make transporting the whole family easy. Vehicles of all sizes are available, from nifty small cars to people-movers that will carry large or grown-up families without any fuss. Self-contained motels with kitchen facilities and apartments, with kitchen and laundry, are an excellent, cost-effective option for families and groups. Camping grounds are another good value option – many offer low-cost cabins as well as sites for tents and motorhomes. Although visitors will usually share bathroom and kitchen facilities with other guests, camping grounds are often targeted at families with children and may offer a playground, games room and/or television room.

Romantic Vacations

From the unique pleasure of exploring the wilderness as a couple to the luxury of a romantic retreat in a boutique lodge, there are plenty of ways for your clients to indulge their romantic sides. For those wanting to take things to the next level, New Zealand is also an increasingly popular location for weddings. Whether your clients are looking for a traditional church ceremony or a unique setting such as a garden or a beach, they’ll find it here. A wedding planner can help organise the details.