A US summer (NZ winter) break
You’ve decided to head down under and visit New Zealand in winter. Completely understandable as you will have more time to travel during the U.S summer break. The one thing to remember is you’re visiting in New Zealand’s winter and you’ll need to dress for the cool weather, expect lows of 4-7°C (39 to 45 °F ) in the North Island and between 1-6°C (34 to 43 °F ) in the South Island. I generally find it a bit warmer than the temperatures above and you can have stunning clear days (see photo below). Near the mountains ranges, ski-fields it will be winter weather cold!
Where should you go while there?
You”ll arrive into Auckland, known as the City of Sails and New Zealand’s largest city. It’s located on a harbor that leads out to the Hauraki gulf. There are many things to see and do. You can go up the city’s iconic Sky Tower, check out museums like the Auckland Art Gallery or go exploring at Waiheke Island, Rangitoto Island and the Waitakere Ranges where you will find Piha, New Zealand’s famous surf beach with black iron-sand. Mt Eden, a suburb not far from the central city, is a dormant volcano which you can drive up and get stunning views of city.
Auckland has hosted the Americas cup and the development at the Viaduct (harbor area in downtown Auckland) has bought some of the best restaurants and bar in a picturesque setting. Down in this area you can book a sailing experience on the harbor or catch a ferry to Rangitoto or Waiheke Island which are 30-40 minutes from the city.
Rangitoto island is a non populated volcanic island with hiking trails. Picking a clear day is ideal, I visited it in March 2016 and it was a weird foggy, hazy day. The hike isn’t too strenuous and very cool to see the lava fields on the island.
Waiheke island is populated and you can visit for a day or stay for a night(s). It boasts vineyards and olive groves, white sand beaches and a variety of shops and restaurants. You’ll get the ferry and once on the island you can hire a car, taxi or get a bus pass. Most times I’ve hosted American visitors we have caught the ferry, pre booked a taxi to meet us off the ferry and gone to Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant for a long lunch. Man O’ War is another location that has been highly recommended.
Here’s a link to US News Travel article on the Best Things To Do in Auckland
For family friendly activities, check out Rainbows End theme park, Butterfly Creek by the airport ( A mix of zoo exhibits, including a butterfly house, plus a dinosaur area, playground & train) and nearer central city is Kelly Taltons sea life aquaurium.
Shall I drive or take a tour?
The steering wheel and drivers side is what Americans would know as the passengers side of the car. The other thing to keep in mind is that the motorways you see around Auckland are not the norm once you get 30 minutes out of the city. Smaller highways, including single lanes as well as winding roads are common. I don’t want to scare you off from driving, as it is doable, and you can adapt. Make the decision wisely based on your own comfort level and experience with driving.
This is something to consider very thoughtfully. New Zealand traffic drives on the different side of the road than the US, yes, you must keep left. My Dad makes me a sign every time I am back! Most rental cars I have used include a sign but my Dads is my favorite!
Rental cars and petrol (gas) is significantly more expensive than the U.S. Apex, Enterprise and Avis Budget are the main ones I have used. Hertz is an option as well plus smaller local companies who offer cheaper, older cars to rent. For pick up in Auckland and drop off in another part of the country I have had the most luck with Apex.
There are many bus tours you can do if driving isn’t for you. Many offer day trips from Auckland and might appeal more than driving down the island.
Where to head after Auckland?
You’ll have to make a decision whether you want to head north to the Bay of Islands or start your journey down the North Island to the capital city Wellington. I’ve chosen to take my friends down the island as I always want to show them my hometown of Paraparaumu which is 45 minutes north of Wellington.
Bay of Islands – A special mention
If you do decide to go up to the Bay of Islands it’s a 3 hour drive north from Auckland and I recommend you stay in Paihia where you can take boat cruises around the Bay of Islands, catch a ferry to Russell or Urupukapuka Island as well as visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, which marks the beginning of New Zealand as a nation. The Bay of Island is gorgeous (most of New Zealand is). It’s hard for me not to take my friends there but it always comes down to time.
Below are a few photos I took in March 2016 when I visited.
Heading south from Auckland
This is what I do when I’m being a tour guide to my American friends. I pick up a rental car and head south from Auckland. The route to travel down the island to Paraparaumu and Wellington can differ. Here are the top 5 places I recommend you consider visiting on your journey to Wellington.
The Coromandel
Hot Water Beach and Whitianga have been the places I have visited the most over the last few years. It’s a 2.5 hour drive from Auckland. Hot Water Beach is a popular tourist destination as either side of low tide you can experience hot water bubbling in the golden beach sand. Grab a shovel (you can rent them) and dig a hole!
You could spend a week just exploring the Coromandel, but if possible try to include a night in Hot Water Beach or Whitianga.
I highly recommend the Cathedral Cove walk which is 10 mins from Hot Water Beach. PC users may recognize it as the constant background for Microsoft Windows!
Mt Maunganui, via the Hobbiton Movie Set
One of my favorite spots to visit and take in a high intensity 45 minute walk is up Mt Maunganui (known as The Mount), iconic mountain, Mauao. I love the harbor beach on one side and ocean beach on the other side at The Mount. You’ll experience great views as you walk up to the top of the small mountain. Located on the East coast near the city of Tauranga, it’s a 2 hour 50 min drive from Auckland (or 2 hour 40 from Hot Water Beach, The Coromandel).
On route to Mt Maunganui from Auckland you can stop in Matamata at Hobbiton, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. For fans of those movies click here to learn more about experiencing the magic of Hobbiton and booking a movie set tour.
Waitomo Caves
Rotorua
A well known tourist attraction to visit, the Glowworm caves at Waitomo. Take a boat ride through a glow worm grotto and visit the two main caves of Aranui and Ruakuri. For the adventure junkie check out the Black Water Rafting trip. Located 2 hours 30 minutes from Auckland on the West side of the island. I normally chose between going to The Coromandel/The Mount or going to the Waitomo Caves and Rotorua.
Known for it geothermal activity, bubbling mud pools, unique sulphur aroma and Maori culture, Rotorua is located on the lake of its namesake. The drive time will vary depending on where you’re coming from. Auckland to Rotorua is just under a 3 hour drive. Mount Maunganui (The Mount) to Rotorua is just over an hour. Waitomo Caves to Rotorua is 2 hours.
Maori Cultural Show, Rotorua, Jan 2005
If you decide to stay a night in Rotorua make sure to visit Whakarewarewa – The Living Maori Village, take in a cultural show as well as finding hot pools, high in sulphur, to soak the body in. There is a smell to Rotorua that visitors often call “rotten eggs” but it does grow on you (promise).
Check this link out re all the things to do in Rotorua. I normally include one night there but if short on time I drive straight from Auckland to Wai-O-Tapu and stay in Lake Taupo.
Wai-O-Tapu and Lake Taupo
Open 365 days a year, this is my favorite place to stop to showcase New Zealand’s geothermal activity. It’s 20 minutes south of Rotorua and 40 mins drive from Taupo. Wai-O-Tapu is Maori for sacred waters and is located in an active geothermal area. It includes amazing colorful geothermal pools and the Lady Know geyser formed over 230,000 years ago!
Lake Taupo is a great place to stop for a night to break up your trip down the island. It was created by a volcanic eruption. Just north of Taupo is the Huka Falls, where more than 220,000 liters of water thunder over a cliff face every second.
Taupo can be cold in the winter but is still popular with the ski areas of Whakapapa and Turoa less than 2 hours away and mineral-rich thermal baths to warm up or soak away any aches or pains!
Leaving Taupo you will drive through the desert road and on a stunning day, the view of the snow capped mountains of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro will greet you. These three mountains are all active peaks. It’s a road to travel carefully with some winding areas. Best to drive it during the daylight. Less than 2 hours from Taupo is the town of Ohakune where you can stay if ski-ing is on your list. Although I would recommend you do your ski experience when you visit the South Island.
The Tongariro Alpine crossing is an extremely popular one day hike but I recommend it from November to May as the weather can be so changeable.
The drive time from Taupo to Wellington, the capital city. is 5 hours. I always stop in Taihape for lunch, either at Brown Sugar Cafe or Le Cafe telephonique.
Visiting New Zealand in Winter. What else?
You can read about the bottom part of the north island, with my hometown of Paraparaumu Kapiti Coast, and capital city of Wellington in Visit New Zealand in winter, Part 2 of 4 blog.
There are so many areas you could visit as you travel down the North Island including Raglan (more of a surf area in Summer), New Plymouth, Gisborne and the Hawkes Bay. It’s hard for me not to write about them as excluding them doesn’t mean they are any less beautiful from what I’ve mentioned.
I know most my American friends have limited time of 10 days and visiting the South Island is a must. The following week (part 3) I will write about the South Island and why you must stay and enjoy the surrounding areas of Arrowtown. The final part of this 4 part series will be a sample 10 day itinerary. Stay tuned!
Here’s a few photos I took of the stunning Milford Sound area in the South Island. It’s truly ridiculous how gorgeous it is.
Make sure to read my previous blogs on Visit New Zealand and How to Master the long flight to New Zealand
Leave a comment below if you have a specific question on visiting New Zealand. You can connect with me on Instagram @kiwlizb