New Zealand Travel Guide - Explore & Plan Your Trip

New Zealand Travel Guide - Explore & Plan Your Trip

Posted on June 2, 2023

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Tourism in New Zealand has taken a major leap in the last few years. The country is a world filled with magnificent landscapes, thriving Maori culture, and exhilarating activities known as New Zealand. This island nation, well-known for its gorgeous fjords, rolling hills, and beautiful mountains, offers a really exceptional and remarkable travel encounter. Whether you're a nature lover, an adrenaline addict, or a history buff, New Zealand has something for everyone. Get ready to have your dream vacation turn into reality with Pickyourtrail and have a blast! 

Facts about New Zealand

FactDetail
Official LanguageEnglish, Maori
CapitalWellington
CurrencyNew Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Area268,021 sq km
PopulationApproximately 5 million
Time ZoneNew Zealand Standard Time (UTC+12)
ClimateDiverse, ranging from subtropical to temperate and alpine
National SymbolKiwi bird
GeographyConsists of two main islands, North Island and South Island, with diverse landscapes including mountains, fjords, lakes, and beaches

Know More About New Zealand

  • Indigenous History: For over a thousand years, the Maori people have lived in New Zealand, adding to the country's unique cultural legacy.
  • European Arrival: The arrival of European explorers in the late 18th century, especially Captain James Cook, led to an increase in colonisation.
  • The Treaty of Waitangi: The Treaty of Waitangi established British rule and acknowledged Maori rights. It was signed in 1840.
  • Gold Rush: The 1860s gold discovery led to a wave of immigration, which changed the economic landscape of the nation.
  • Independence: New Zealand attained self-governance in 1852 and became a Dominion in 1907.
  • Social Reforms: In 1893, New Zealand was the first nation to implement progressive changes, such as women's suffrage.
  • Present: Today, New Zealand is a diverse, thriving country that welcomes tourists with its breathtaking natural beauty and warm hospitality.

How to Reach New Zealand from India

  • By Air: Travelling to New Zealand from India is convenient, thanks to multiple airlines providing direct and connecting flights on the following route. Major carriers including Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, and Emirates provide regular service between Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai in India and Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand. The average duration of a flight between India and New Zealand is between 17 and 20 hours.
  • Other: There is no other convenient method to travel between both destinations

Best Time to Visit New Zealand

With a subtropical climate on the North Island and a colder temperature on the South Island, New Zealand has a varied range of climates. The ideal time to visit New Zealand depends on your tastes and the activities you want to partake in. The warmer months of December through February provide comfortable temperatures and are great for outdoor activities. For those who enjoy snow activities, the winter months of June to August are perfect, as ski resorts are also available to visit.

(Note:  these are approximate average temperatures figures and can vary each year)

MonthNorth Island (Average Temperature °C)South Island (Average Temperature °C)
January20 – 2518 – 23
February20 – 2517 – 22
March 18 – 2316 – 20
April15 – 2012 – 16
May12 – 178 – 12
June10 – 146 – 10
July9 – 135 – 9
August10 – 146 – 10
September12 – 178 – 12
October14 – 1910 – 14
November16 – 2112 – 16
December18 – 2315 – 19

New Zealand Visa for Indians

Visa process for Indians to obtain a New Zealand tourist visa is not a huge hassle if you follow the steps carefully. This visa allows you to travel to the country at ease. Below are the types of New Zealand visa for an Indian Passport holder.

  • Visitor visa 
  • Business visa 
  • Work visa 
  • Family visa 
  • Transit visa

Cost of New Zealand Tourist Visa for Indians 

Below is a table with cost of two types of visas for tourists. Also, check out the official New Zealand visa website for a better understanding.  

Visitor Visa Rs 7935 
Transit Visa Rs 6768

Travelling Around New Zealand

New Zealand has an excellent transport system, which makes it simple to travel across the nation. Here are a few popular methods of getting around New Zealand:

  • Rental Cars: By renting a car, you can travel at your own leisure and find hidden gems all across the nation.
  • Camper Vans: Travelling in a camper van, which serves as both a vehicle and a place to stay, offers the ultimate independence. For an enjoyable vacation, New Zealand has several campsites that are well-equipped.
  • Buses and Coaches: InterCity and GreatSights are famous bus services that connect major cities and tourist areas. They provide practical timetables and comfortable travel options.
  • Trains: New Zealand's picturesque rail routes, such the TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific, provide a charming way to experience the country's breathtaking scenery.
  • Domestic flights: Domestic flights are available between major cities if you are short on time or want a quick means of transportation.
  • Ferries: A gorgeous and enjoyable ride connects the North and South Islands via the Cook Strait boat service.

Places to Visit in New Zealand

  • Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park
  • Abel Tasman National Park
  • Tongariro National Park
  • Bay of Islands
  • Queenstown
  • Rotorua
  • Mount Cook National Park
  • Franz Josef Glacier
  • Waiheke Island
  • Lake Tekapo
  • Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata
  • Wellington
  • Kaikoura
  • Coromandel Peninsula
  • Napier and Hawke's Bay
  • Nelson
  • Stewart Island
  • Mount Taranaki
  • Dunedin
  • The Catlins

Things to Do in New Zealand

  • Go for a Bungee jump from Queenstown's iconic Kawarau Bridge
  • Visit Waitomo's enchanted glowworm tunnels
  • Take a spectacular walk over volcanic terrain on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
  • Fly in a helicopter and enjoy the view of Franz Josef Glacier
  • Go kayaking in the beautiful waters of Abel Tasman National Park
  • Visit a typical Maori village to discover more about the culture
  • Take a cruise in the breathtaking Milford Sound to see its magnificent waterfalls
  • Take an exciting jet boat ride in Queenstown
  • Travel to Wellington and visit the lively Te Papa Museum
  • Bathe in Rotorua's natural hot springs
  • Visit Marlborough and take a wine tour, which is well-known for its Sauvignon Blanc
  • Watch whales in Kaikoura
  • Learn about Nelson's enchanting community and thriving cultural scene
  • Discover Wai-O-Tapu's geothermal marvels in Rotorua
  • Participate in adventurous activities like zorbing, skydiving, or white-water rafting
  • Unwind on the Coromandel Peninsula's gorgeous beaches
  • Take in the scenery as you travel the Great Ocean Road
  • On the east coast of the South Island, visit the unusual Moeraki Boulders
  • Visit seals, dolphins, and penguins by going on a wildlife cruise
  • Enjoy a traditional hangi feast while sampling authentic Maori food

Pick Your Trail to New Zealand

New Zealand is a place that perfectly combines adventure, natural beauty, and cultural legacy. New Zealand tourism creates a lasting impression on every traveller with its breathtaking landscapes and rich culture. Pack your bags, book New Zealand tour packages or book New Zealand honeymoon packages to travel with your loved one from Pickyourtrail, customize your New Zealand itinerary and let the wonders of New Zealand unravel before your eyes.

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They have provided customised and tailored tour as per our requirements.....Sharon has taken good care of it.....and there 24/7 chatbox helped us a lot

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Dear Team, I wanted to express my gratitude for the wonderful trip experience. I'd like to extend my special thanks to Lakshmi Narayanan, our trip planner, who did an excellent job curating the itinerary. I want to appreciate entire team in phase-3 (aaditya, devi, nitya, etc) The response time in phase-3 was impressive, as promised and i don't have good feedback on phase-2 trip custodian. I have a few suggestions for future improvements: - For private transfers, it would be great if the same driver could be assigned for the entire trip, allowing for a more personalized experience - The city tour was quite tiring, especially with kids. It would be beneficial to optimize the itinerary to make it less exhausting. - It would be helpful if driver language preferences could be noted during booking to ensure smoother communication.

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They have provided customised and tailored tour as per our requirements.....Sharon has taken good care of it.....and there 24/7 chatbox helped us a lot

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