How to Plan a Vacation to New Zealand

New Zealand is comprised of three chief islands: the North, South and Stewart Islands, covering more than 260,000 square kilometers. A minute country, New Zealand offers a variety of activities ranging from lying out on the beach to climbing mountains covered in glaciers at the top. Because of New Zealand's compact size, vacationers can enjoy a jam-packed itinerary. Planning a vacation New Zealand takes research and requires you to decide which activities appeal to you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Step 1

Research the different activities New Zealand has to offer. Highlights include fishing in The Bay Of Islands or Lake Taupo; visiting the Taupo Volcanic Plateau that is still rife with activity; experiencing the Marlborough region located on the South Island, rich with vineyards and gorgeous beaches; hiking through Mount Aspiring National Park; sightseeing Fiordland National park, rivaling that of the Great Barrier Reef in its beauty; climbing to the Tasman Glacier in Mount Cook National Park.

Step 2

Decide what time of the year you would like to visit New Zealand. Summer is from December to February, when temperatures range from 15 to 32 degrees Celsius (52 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit). Spring includes September and November (10 to 25 degrees Celsius; 50 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Autumn is from March to May (10 to 25 degrees Celsius; 50 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Winter spans from June to August (5 to 18 degrees Celsius; 41 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit).

Step 3

Buy the round-trip plane ticket to New Zealand far in advance so you don't have to pay high last-minute prices.

Step 4

Write up a schedule of activities for each day and book tours and guides, if desired. There are several tour business available in New Zealand for tourists, including Adventure South, Rest New Zealand Tours, Pure Trails New Zealand and Southern Lakes Tours, to name a few.

Step 5

Book the lodging you'll need based on your itinerary. New Zealand offers a variety of accommodations ranging from motels to luxurious hotels. Prices range from $100 to $250 per night for a four-star place to stay. Hotels on the high end can reach upward of $2,000 a night. See nzescape.com for lodging based on location.

Step 6

Book transportation in New Zealand. One of the popular ways to traverse through New Zealand is renting a motorhome. You can also rent a car, travel by train (Tranz Scenic Railway) or airplane (Air New Zealand, Jetstar Airways, Pacific Blue) and/or by the ferry (The Interislander Cook Strait Ferry). Tour packages of New Zealand are also available, which usually include lodging, some meals and transportation.

Tips & Warnings

The best time to visit the Fiordland National Park is November through March.

Notify your bank that you are going out of the country to visit New Zealand and give them the dates. This is a precautionary task that should prevent your credit or debit card from being canceled by the bank. Banks often "flag" cards for unusual activity.

Resources

New Zealand Vacations

Article Written By Shelby Redfield

In May of 2006, I graduated from UF with a degree in Telecommunications. I have always loved to tell a story, whether through the lens of a camera or by the illustration of words. As a story producer I have worked on shows such as VH1's Brooke Knows Best, CMT's My Big Redneck Wedding, Bravo's Miami Social and TLC's Truth Be Told. Currently, I am writing for Examiner about adoptive families and I recently got my first short story published by Pandora Project Publishers.

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