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Best Time to Visit New Zealand from Australia: What to do, weather, visas, and more
New Zealand is known for scenic landscapes, from snow-capped peaks to glacial lakes and volcanoes. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with nature, or want an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, you should definitely consider visiting the country.
There are plenty of things to do all year round, but which is the best time to visit New Zealand from Australia? This guide looks at different places in the country to visit by season, to help you decide on the best time to travel to New Zealand for your plans. We’ll also share more about the Wise card, a handy way to spend internationally.
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When is the best time to visit New Zealand from Australia
The best time for Australians to visit New Zealand is in autumn (specifically March or May). This allows you to avoid the peak summer season and the April school holiday rush, enjoying settled weather and better prices.
Nonetheless, depending on what you plan to do, the best time to visit New Zealand might differ. Before you decide on the best month to visit New Zealand for your needs, you’ll want to consider the weather, the likelihood of crowds, and national holidays which may influence what you can do on your trip.
Let’s explore some ideas of what to do in New Zealand month by month.
Spring: September - November
Spring in New Zealand has mild temperatures, with relatively low visitor numbers, making this a popular time for Australians to visit. Accommodation prices can come down compared to the summer months, while many activities are still available both in and out doors.
September: As the snow melts on the mountains, New Zealand is a great place for whitewater rafting during the early spring, with options for mountain biking and other activities in locations like Tongariro National Park¹. Or if you’d prefer a more sedate activity, why not consider a trip to the coast for a gentle way to enjoy the scenery.
October: During October the New Zealand temperature is rising, making this a lovely time to get out hiking. Rural areas are full of life, with lambs in the fields and plenty of scope for single day hikes or multi-day walking holidays.
November: The New Zealand weather in November is starting to warm, but the peak crowds are still to arrive. If you’re thinking of a trip taking in city destinations, this can be a great time, with lower accommodation costs meaning you can get more from your money.
Summer: December - February
The summer in New Zealand is stunning - but higher visitor numbers do mean you’ll need to be well organised and book accommodation and activities well in advance. As the weather heats many people head to coastal locations to dive, snorkel or spot wildlife.
December: There’s no shortage of things to do in New Zealand in the great summer weather. If you’re an adrenaline junkie consider zip-lining or bungee jumping in locations like Rotorua or Glenorchy, near Queenstown. Or if you’d prefer, take a trip to a vineyard to sip some local wines in the sunshine.
January: The school holidays in the early half of January mean peak visitor numbers, so accommodation in more rural areas can be tricky to secure. If you’re heading to Wellington, bear in mind that the Rugby Sevens can also mean an influx of visitors.
February: One of the key draws for visitors heading to New Zealand in the summer is hiking. Tourism New Zealand highlights the 11 multi-day hiking trails called the ‘Great Walks’ for the adventurous and prepared - but there are also many other options if you’d prefer something gentler².
Autumn: March - May
Autumn in New Zealand still offers great weather with clear skies and the perfect opportunity to see the changing colours of the season out in the countryside. The visitor numbers start to drop off, allowing for lower hotel prices in many areas.
March: The weather is still excellent for getting out and about, but there are also plenty of interesting reasons to head to the cities - such as the Wellington Fringe Festival³ which usually runs from mid February into March.
April: As the weather starts to cool, April presents a great time to visit a location with a mix of in- and outdoor activities, so you’ve got all your bases covered. One option could be to learn about the Māori heritage of Hokianga Harbour where you can mix it up with everything from horse riding to gallery visits.
May: May visits to New Zealand can mean lower visitor numbers but changeable weather. This is firmly shoulder season, so some tour options may have stopped operating or run on a reduced schedule, so be sure to check out all the details before booking.
Winter: June - August
Winter in New Zealand can mean challenging weather. While it’s a beautiful time of year to see the country, you will need to keep on top of local weather reports if you’re out and about.
June: The North Island is likely to have rainy weather, so choose your destination and itinerary to allow for indoor activities when the weather is poor. This can still be a very rewarding month to visit New Zealand from Australia, though, particularly if you prefer a quieter time of year.
July: Chances are that the snow has firmly arrived by now - if you’re looking for snowsports, check out your options in Queenstown and Wānaka for skiing and snowboarding.
August: If you’re in the South Island you might be lucky enough to spot humpback whales migrating, while the milder climate returns to the North Island, making it possible to get out and about in the countryside once more.
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What to do in New Zealand for Australians
New Zealand is known for its nature-centric activities - from diving and skiing through to birding or wildlife spotting, or learning more about the history and culture of the country. If you’re not sure what to feature in your itinerary there’s lots of information on the Tourism New Zealand website - here are a few common choices to consider.
Hike, dive, ski and take in the countryside
Often the main reason to visit New Zealand is to experience the sheer variety of nature there. What you’re able to do will depend on the time of year you visit, from summer beach trips, to winter ski holidays, with plenty of opportunities for hiking and scenic drives in between.
Experience the city buzz
If you’re flying into New Zealand you’ll need to pass through one of the larger cities, like Auckland and Wellington in the North Island, and Christchurch in the South Island. Each has its own vibe, and offers history and culture to explore, as well as plenty of options for great food, and friendly people.
Explore Māori heritage
One of the major activities for Australian visitors in New Zealand, you can explore Māori heritage in many areas, learning about the history and culture of the country. There are more than 100 iwi (tribes) in New Zealand, according to Tourism New Zealand⁴, which lets you dig into the rich culture in many areas of the country.
Planning a trip to New Zealand from Australia
Once you’ve had a chance to think about when to visit New Zealand you can move on to arranging a few of the more practical aspects of your visit. In many cases you won’t need a visa to visit New Zealand if you’re an Australian passport holder, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to arrange in advance.
New Zealand visa requirements for Australians
In most cases, Australian passport holders can visit New Zealand without needing a visa⁵. The main exceptions to this include if you have a criminal record or have been deported from another country before. If you’re not sure whether or not you need a visa for New Zealand based on your personal situation, you can check out the Immigration New Zealand website⁶ for more details.
Every traveler to New Zealand - including Australian visitors - must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration⁷ prior to arriving. The easiest way to do this is digitally - complete the information required before you get to the New Zealand border to make sure your entry to the country is hassle free.
Flights to New Zealand from Australia
New Zealand is a super popular destination for Australian travellers, so it’s no surprise that there are many direct routes from cities including Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Gold Coast and Melbourne. Travel times are around 3 hours from most locations, making this a really accessible destination even for a pretty short trip.
Flight routes are covered by carriers including Qantas, Virgin Australia, Etihad Airways and Singapore Airlines, as well as Jetstar, allowing you to pick a carrier to fit your budget.
Get the most out of your AUD to NZD conversions on your holiday with Wise
The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 7x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.
Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up AUD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in AUD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.
Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.
This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Savings claim based on our rates vs. selected Australian banks and other similar providers in Jan 2025. To learn more please visit https://income-climb.live/au/compare%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Please see Terms of Use and product availability for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
Sources:
- Tourism New Zealand - spring guide
- Tourism New Zealand - hiking
- Wellington Fringe Festival
- Tourism New Zealand - Māori heritage
- Smart Traveller - New Zealand
- Immigration New Zealand
- New Zealand Traveller Declaration
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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