Practical information

Best time to travel to New Zealand

The best time to travel to New Zealand depends entirely on what you're looking for in your trip. The country is great to visit year-round and has, just like the Netherlands, four seasons.

Good to know: the seasons are exactly reversed. When it's winter here, it's summer in New Zealand and vice versa. This naturally applies to spring and autumn as well.

Best time to visit New Zealand

Most travellers choose to visit New Zealand during the warmer months. Generally, the best time to travel is between October and April.

February to April: most stable and pleasant period
October & November: beautiful spring months, but slightly more changeable
December & January: warm, but busier and more expensive

The North Island generally has a milder climate than the South Island. In spring, the weather can still be somewhat unpredictable, especially on the South Island, where it can turn colder and rainier more quickly. In late summer and early autumn, temperatures are most pleasant and stable throughout the country.

Travelling in December and January: do or don’t?

The months of December and January are deliberately mentioned separately. This is the peak season in New Zealand. Not only are international travellers on the road then, but the local population of New Zealand and Australia are also on holiday.

This means:

Busy campsites at popular spots
Higher prices for Campervans and activities
Less flexibility as you need to book more in advance

Should you avoid this period? Absolutely not. New Zealand rarely feels truly crowded, because the country is so vast and the crowds spread out well. Just bear in mind that you'll need to plan a bit more than in other months.

Best Time to Visit the North Island

The North Island of New Zealand has a temperate maritime climate with warm summers and mild winters. In the far north, above Auckland, the climate is even subtropical, which ensures pleasant temperatures throughout the year.

The warmest months are December through February. This is the New Zealand summer, but also immediately the busiest and most expensive period, especially in December and January due to the summer holidays.

Want to avoid these crowds whilst still enjoying good weather? Then October and November (spring) and March and April (autumn) are the best time to travel to the North Island. In spring you'll enjoy pleasant temperatures and nature in bloom, whilst in autumn it becomes quieter and the weather is still pleasantly warm.

The edges of these seasons, such as early spring and late autumn, are also excellent times to travel. The temperatures are milder then, which makes this period ideal if you enjoy hiking and being active in nature.

Best Time to Visit the South Island

The South Island of New Zealand has a temperate maritime climate with cool, fresh winters and mild summers. Due to the presence of the mountains, there are large regional differences and the weather can change quickly. For instance, the west coast is considerably wetter and windier, whilst the east coast is drier and sunnier. To give you an idea: on the west coast it rains an average of around 200 days per year.

Want to travel with the warmest temperatures and the best chance of dry weather? Then December through February are the best months for your road trip around the South Island. It's pleasantly warm then and this is the ideal period for outdoor activities such as hiking and exploring national parks.

Do keep in mind that this is also peak season. Especially between mid-December and the end of January it's busier due to local school holidays, and prices for Campervan hire, campsites and activities are higher.

Want a better balance between good weather, peace and price? Then November and March are ideal months. The temperatures are pleasant, nature is at its most beautiful and it's considerably quieter. In addition, prices are often lower than in the high season.

The weather on the South Island remains unpredictable, however. Even in summer you can experience multiple seasons in one day, whilst in spring and autumn you might actually get longer periods of stable, sunny weather. A bit of flexibility and luck with the weather really make the difference here.

Winter in New Zealand

The winter months in New Zealand can be surprisingly special. If you're travelling on a smaller budget, this is actually one of the best periods to go. Campervan prices are significantly lower and many landscapes transform into a beautiful winter setting.

Especially on the South Island, you do need to take winter conditions into account. Roads can be snowy or icy and in some cases may even be temporarily closed. This means you need to be flexible and sometimes adjust your travel plans.

When hiring a Campervan during this period, snow chains are often provided, but it's important to consider carefully whether you're comfortable driving in winter conditions.

In short: travelling in winter is cheaper and unique, but does require some extra preparation and flexibility.