Three Points to Understanding Travel in New Zealand

The popularity of New Zealand as a tourist destination has grown dramatically in recent years with the country welcoming tourist not only from neighbouring Australia and Asia, but from all over the world. This country has a lot to offer – magnificent nature which remains mostly unaffected by human activities, unique cultural traditions and various adventures. You just need to know what to expect from travelling in the country.

Best Time to Visit

There is a lot to explore in New Zealand in every season. You can enjoy all kinds of adventures in the Bay of Islands the summer, the white Queenstown slopes in winter and the lovely Christchurch gardens in the summer and autumn. There is literally something to do at any time of year.

The peak tourist season in New Zealand is the summer, which includes the months of December, January and February. The busiest time is around and right after Christmas until the middle of January. If you plan to travel to and around the country during this time, it is important that you make accommodation bookings well in advance. This is true even if you plan to hire a campervan and stay at motor home sites. These may be fully booked by the time you get there.

Getting Around

New Zealand has an excellent road network and top quality public transportation services. Within cities, you can use public buses and other public transportation services. For travelling around the country, road travel is recommended. There are plenty of highways and slightly rough, but reliable small gravel roads in remote areas. The railroad connects just a number of major cities so you will not be able to explore most of the country if you travel by rail.

When you travel by road, it is best to hire a car or a campervan. The latter option is particularly attractive as it allows you to travel through the whole country from Auckland in the North Island all the way south to Queenstown. There are numerous camping sites where you can stay around the country. One important think to note, however, is that free camping is not allowed by local law.

Planning Your Trip

There are a lot of things to see and do in New Zealand so it is best if you plan your trip in advance. The top places to visit include Auckland, Bay of Islands offering opportunities for sailing, swimming and whale watching, Abel Tasman National Park, Queenstown, known for the gorgeous natural surroundings and various adventure activities, Wellington and Christchurch.