New Zealand Vacation Packages & Custom Vacations to New Zealand
See New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes and natural beauty with a customized trip
When it comes to planning the perfect trip to New Zealand, About New Zealand makes it easy. With all hotels, flights and transfers pre-arranged for you in one easy vacation package, all you need is to sit back and enjoy the vacation of a lifetime. Our New Zealand trip packages take you to the highlights of New Zealand’s natural wonders and world-class cities.
How to Plan your Vacation to New Zealand
Before you begin planning your trip to New Zealand, it’s important to decide on your travel dates, how long you want to travel, and where you want to go. This will make planning your vacation much easier, and will help guide us on planning the best trip for you.
Where is New Zealand?
New Zealand is located is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, about 2581 miles east of Australia. It is divided into two islands, the North Island and the South Island. The whole country has roughly the same surface area as the state of Colorado, with a population of 4.5 million. If you look at New Zealand compared to the U.S., it stretches about as long as half the east coast of the U.S.
How Do You Get to New Zealand?
There are several direct flights to New Zealand from the U.S. Most flights from the U.S. will fly directly to Auckland, the international hub of New Zealand. The best flight deals to New Zealand are usually out of Los Angeles, which take about 14 hours.
Direct flights to New Zealand are also available from Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Seattle, but these flights do not depart every day. Your About New Zealand specialist checks for the best prices on airfare to include in your New Zealand trip package. You may also check out our sale airfares for deals on flights to New Zealand.
You can also easily get to New Zealand from Australia on a 3.5 hour flight. The two countries are divided by the Tasman Sea, so the only way to get to New Zealand is by flight.
What’s the Weather like in New Zealand?
New Zealand enjoys a warm subtropical climate in the North Island and cooler weather in the South Island. The seasons in New Zealand are opposite to ours in the U.S., so our summer is their winter.
- Summer (December – February) One of the most popular times to vacation in New Zealand is between December to February, when the weather is most warm with temperatures averaging in the high 70’s. This is when outdoor activities such as swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and cycling expeditions are in season. Most hotels and tours will be prebooked way in advance for this season, so talk to your Destination Specialist to make sure you don’t miss out on your vacation.
- Fall (March – May) This is one of our most recommended times vacation in New Zealand. The weather is still warm enough to enjoy many outdoor adventures, while cold weather lovers will enjoy the brisk temperatures of the South Island.
- Winter (June – August) New Zealand’s South Island is a popular cold weather destination, with snowy mountains and ski slopes. While snowfall is rare in the North Island, the South Island often sees snow as early as May. July sees the most rainfall, while August sees the most snow.
- Spring (September – November) Spring in New Zealand is also a great time to visit as it brings in the early tourism season without the great crowds of the summer. The crisp weather is perfect for exploring national parks, cruising on Milford and Doubtful Sounds, and enjoying New Zealand’s famous food and wine.
How Long Should I Stay in New Zealand?
Many people add-on New Zealand at the end of their Australia vacation with two or three days, but this is the worst way to visit New Zealand.
There is so much to see and do in this unique destination to easily fill a month’s worth of travel. However, most U.S. travelers don’t have that kind of time. This is why we recommend at least nine days to see the best of New Zealand’s highlights. This allows you to see at least three cities with enough travel time in between each city.
What’s the Best Way to Travel in New Zealand?
For travelers who are short on time and want to get the most out of their trip, we recommend flying between cities. This shortens the amount of time you spend traveling and lets you spend more time actually seeing New Zealand. When you plan your vacation with About New Zealand, we book all your flights in New Zealand together with your international flights for you, which reduces the overall price on flights and saves you more money than booking each separate flight.
Group tours are also available in New Zealand. These guided tours travel in coach buses, led by professional tour guides through New Zealand’s highlight destinations. Our guided New Zealand tours are a great option for travelers who seek an all inclusive vacation, trips for seniors and the comradery of group tours.
Self-driving in New Zealand is the best way to travel for more independent travelers who want to see the most of New Zealand. Easy roads through stunning scenery make for a fantastic road trip. Our self-drive New Zealand vacations include car rentals or even campervan rentals to allow you to see New Zealand your way.
What are the Best Places to Vacation in New Zealand?
New Zealand’s volcanic North Island is a totally different world compared to the South Island. With its geothermal regions and rich Maori culture in the north and lush alpine forests and dramatic landscapes in the south, your New Zealand vacation isn’t complete without experiencing both islands.
Traveling the North Island
Champagne Pool, Rotorua
In the North Island is Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. This multi-cultural hub combines urban city excitement with beautiful beaches, hiking trails and indigenous Maori culture. Known as the “City of Sails,” Auckland’s yacht marinas and numerous sailboats precedes the locals’ passion for aquatic adventures.
The city skyline is recognizable world-wide with high rises towering over the Auckland Harbour and the Auckland Sky Tower piercing into the sky. Thrill seekers can explore the Sky Tower on a SkyWalk, or take the ultimate leap of faith with a bungy jump.
You can also see the city skyline from atop a volcano! Auckland is dotted with volcanic cones – green hills that formed around volcanic craters. Trails wind around these volcanic cones, some featuring traces of ancient Maori terraces.
Just a 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland is Waiheke Island, New Zealand’s famous “Island of Wine.” This small island is home to an eclectic population of artists, wine producers and chefs who find inspiration from the Mediterranean-like island and create exceptional food, wine and art.
For a more down-to-nature island adventure, Rangitoto Island offers walking trails to the summit of the Rangitoto volcano cone. Peak into black lava caves, take in the views across the Waitemata Harbour, or explore the waters by kayak.
Auckland has so much to explore, which is why we recommend a minimum of three days to get to know the city and include a day trip to the surrounding regions.
North of Auckland is Bay of Islands, a region known for its turquoise bays, stunning green islands and rich Maori history. Here you’ll find the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, one of the most historically significant sites in New Zealand. This is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the Maori people and European settlers to establish New Zealand as a nation.
Cruising around Bay of Islands is popular for spotting dolphins and other marine life in the waters, and simply taking in the natural beauty of this region.
Further along the North Island is Cape Reinga, the most accessible northernmost point of New Zealand. This is where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean in a grand collision of waves and currents. It’s also one of the most spiritually significant sites for Maori, where it’s believed the spirits of recently passed loved ones depart from this world into the afterlife.
Cape Reinga is a popular spot for self-drivers, but guided tours also take travelers to explore the region. With Ninety Mile Beach, sand-boarding and a majestic lighthouse along the way, there’s lots to explore in this scenic region.
Travel south of Auckland to reach the Coromandel Peninsula, a 2.5 hour journey by car. The Coromandel is a popular day trip destination for its golden beaches, misty rainforests and mineral hot springs. But with so many natural gems to discover, you could easily spend days exploring this region of New Zealand.
Cathedral Cove is one of the top places to visit in the Coromandel, with kayaking and boat tours to the site available. Hot Water Beach is also a popular site, where the thermal water beneath the sand lets you dig your own personal hot pool!
If you want to create a custom Lord of the Rings New Zealand vacation package, you must travel to Hobbiton! This is where Middle Earth comes to life. Guided tours take you through the charming hobbit holes of the Shire. Feast like a Hobbit and grab a drink at the Green Dragon Inn, or enjoy an evening dinner with a banquet and night tour. You can reach Hobbiton from Auckland on a guided tour or by car – talk with your About New Zealand specialist to prebook your Hobbiton tour, as it tends to sell out way in advance!
This region is also home to New Zealand’s magical Glow Worm Caves, where you can see the blue glow of these native insects illuminate the dark caverns. Guided boat tours, black water rafting and walking tours are available, allowing you to experience these spectacular caves at your own level.
To experience more of New Zealand’s Maori culture, travel to Rotorua. Indulge in a hangi feast – a meal traditionally cooked from the steam emanating from the earth below – and feel the warmth of genuine Maori hospitality at Te Puia. Discover Rotorua’s mud pools and geysers, bubbling with incredible colors and invigorating minerals.
For adventure seekers, Rotorua offers incredible mountain biking trails, zorbing, bungy jumping, luging, ziplining and other unique activities not to be missed on a New Zealand adventure vacation.
Indulge in the idyllic Hawke’s Bay region, where a growing food and wine scene set in magnificent landscapes awaits. As New Zealand’s oldest wine region, full-bodied reds and rich Chardonnays get no better than here. With over 70 wineries, you might easily spend your whole New Zealand vacation sampling premium wines. If you love wine, a vacation in Hawke’s Bay is a must!
Nestled within the Hawke’s Bay region is Napier, a charming town known as the Art Deco Capital of the World. Following a devastating earthquake in 1931, the city rebuilt its streets in the stunning Art Deco style of the times, beautifully preserved to this day. City walking tours, vintage festivals and wine tours to Hawke’s Bay are popular ways to see this unique destination.
At the end of the North Island is Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Often skipped over by first time travelers, Wellington is a hidden gem combining the best of New Zealand’s art, food, music and coffee scene. In fact, Wellington has more cafes and restaurants per capita than New York!
This harbor town is set within towering hills offering walking trails with fantastic views. The Wellington Cable Car takes you from the center of town to the top of Mount Victoria, where you’ll find the Wellington Botanic Gardens and the Cable Car Museum. Explore the laneways of the city, where locals haunt the eclectic craft beer bars, coffee shops and cafes. You could spend a whole day exploring Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, home to a several levels of modern art collections, Maori artifacts and exhibits. Check out our guide on more things to do in Wellington for your vacation.
Traveling the South Island
Queenstown, South Island
The perfect New Zealand trip incorporates both the North and South Islands. Cross from Wellington to Picton in the South Island, where your journey through New Zealand’s entrancing southern beauty awaits.
The Picton and Marlborough region is all about its world-famous Sauvignon Blanc and delicious seafood. Here you’ll taste the freshest mussels and experience award-winning wineries set within green valleys and brilliant blue waterways.
Soak up the sun in Nelson Tasman, the sunniest region in New Zealand. Relax on its long golden beaches or explore Abel Tasman National Park on amazing hikes, sailing or kayaking. Food and wine lovers will want to put Nelson on the top of the list. With a reputation for Pinot Noir, the country’s designated craft brewing capital and plenty of locally-sourced gourmet food, Nelson is the perfect place to wine and dine on your New Zealand travels.
Travel further down the west coast for some of the South Island’s most spectacular scenery. See the bright turquoise water of Lake Tekapo framed by the majestic ranges of Aoraki/Mount Cook. Here you’ll find one of New Zealand’s best spots for star-gazing. Visit between October to December to see the gorgeous purple lupines in bloom!
Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are popular destinations for adventurers to hike, climb and explore the nooks and crannies of these glaciers. Scenic helicopter flights are perhaps one of the best ways to take in the beauty of this region, so be sure to include it in your vacation package!
When you travel the South Island, a trip to Queenstown is a must. Named the “Adventure Capital of the World,” here you’ll cross off every item from your bucket list. Bungy jumping, sky diving, river rafting, snowboarding – Queenstown has it all.
Not one for thrills? Take it slow and soak in the famous Onsen Hot Pools, overlooking the scenic Shotover Canyon. Explore historic towns and railways in the Central Otago region. Dotted with wineries, friendly townships and a growing arts culture, you’ll find pure Kiwi hospitality set in unparalleled scenery.
Discover Milford and Doubtful Sounds in Fiordland National Park, the jewel of the South Island. Cruise out on the sounds and take in the quiet majesty of the dark mountains around you, covered in rainforest and cascading waterfalls. Only a few hours away from some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, Queenstown is the perfect base for South Island adventures on a trip to New Zealand.
We’ll Guide You Through the Best New Zealand Vacations
The list of natural attractions, things to see and do to include in your New Zealand vacation package is virtually endless. There really is nothing quite like New Zealand. It’s a blend of modern, rugged and rich. Modern in technology & lifestyle, rugged in its raw natural beauty, and rich in its culture and heritage. If you’re dreaming of a trip to New Zealand – here’s the first step to going.
Our package vacations give you the flexibility to experience your vacation at your own pace. If you prefer to have a native Kiwi (New Zealander) guide your trip, our all inclusive New Zealand trips offer the highlights of things to do in New Zealand led by a professional tour guide. Score a deal with one of our New Zealand travel deals if you’re traveling on a budget. Or want an experience entirely your own? We can also create your very own custom New Zealand vacation – just let us know what you’d like to see and do, and our New Zealand vacation experts will design a vacation package tailored just for you. At About New Zealand, we’re passionate about creating your dream trip.
Book your vacation to New Zealand today!
Call us now to plan your vacation at 888-359-2877
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