Hi All,
We hope to travel to NZ: both North & South Island--seeking hiking, walking, swimming, etc type small group "luxury" tour. Have looked at several and most are the leisure type (movie sets, glow worm caves, beach & wineries). It's a giant country but we want to focus on the "not to be missed sights": can you advise us on the spots you loved? We prefer country-side, geographic wonders, active days with some cities in between.
It appears that most small group tours are all "private/custom"--we are a couple and want a small group tour with set departure/return dates.
Pre-climate change January-February was a great time to go: fewer families, less crowds, but it may be different now with the fires, floods and heat. All info on recommended timing is very much appreciated.
Thank you!
Posted by
Kamarooka
420 posts
Not much of an expert on NZ (I live on the other side of the ditch) but pretty sure school terms much the same as ours. That means schools return end of Jan start of Feb.
Weather wise late Feb March is probably best bet. Most of NZ has pretty mild weather. Not sure what fires and floods you mean. Such things can occur but not with any pattern.
I am hoping to go next year too.
Posted by
Australia
92 posts
I’m not an expert either, and haven’t done any ‘whole of NZ’ tours. We also like natural areas, and TBH this is the best thing about NZ anyway.
A couple of areas we have enjoyed in case this helps:
Queen Charlotte Track, can walk multiple days with accommodation provided and luggage transferred (or just part of the track). It’s not hard to get to Picton by ferry from Wellington. Also nice local walks and easy ferry transfers to walks from Picton.
Overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound, can be done from Queenstown. We used RealNZ. Also other trips can be done from Queenstown and it’s a very scenic place.
Bay of Islands, nice in summer, eg Russell
Tongariro NP and the thermal areas around lake Taupo.
We have also been eyeing off Stewart Island, but haven’t been yet.
Re timing, I would think best to avoid December and January due to school holidays, although this may not be so critical if you are on a tour and if you can find one that avoids the very touristy places. I would expect Feb onwards to be less busy, we have been a couple of times in winter and it is also nice, if you like cooler weather.
Posted by
Australia
92 posts
PS APT is an Australian company that offers fairly upmarket tours including to NZ if you haven’t already seen them. We have done a tour in Europe with them and it was pretty good
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17417 posts
I cannot speak to the North Island, but on the South Island I highly recommend the guided Milford Track multi-day trek with Ultimate Hikes.
https://www.ultimatehikes.co.nz/multi-day-guided-walks/milford-track
It truly was a “luxury” level experience in terms of the quality of the accommodations, food, guides, and arrangements. It was the highlight of our two-week visit to the South Island. We did the rest independently, mostly without a car. We started at the north, at an ecolodge on the Queen Charlotte Track, reached by water taxi from Picton. You get to Picton by train from Christchurch ( or at least we did, pre-earthquake), or by ferry from the North Island.
We spent two days walking the Queen Charlotte track from there. While we enjoyed the lodge and the walking, in all honesty I would say it does not begin to compare with the Milford Track.
New Zealand is very easy to manage as an independent traveler, by putting together various experiences and treks. I can make more suggestions if you are interested( but not for the north Island) but we are about to board our plane to Europe! Please just post here, not by PM.
Posted by
8239 posts
We did a great tour of the North Island with Trafalgar Tours. I highly recommend it.
Posted by
Canada
3 posts
Been to the South Island with AATKings. I liked everything, no complaints about the company.