New Zealand

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New Zealand

New Zealand travel is easier than you think. Yes, this spectacularly beautiful two-island nation is tucked away in a far corner of the South Pacific, but its compact size (about the same as California), excellent infrastructure and friendly people make it one of the most convenient destinations you’ll ever experience. With tours from Islands In The Sun, you can explore the the country on a self-drive vacation that visits the cosmopolitan city of Auckland and award-winning wineries and geothermal wonders of the North Island as well as the glaciers, fjords and adventure capital, Queenstown, on the South Island. Or you can travel as part of a multi-destination South Pacific vacation that includes stopovers on tropical islands by combining the upscale adventure of New Zealand with the romantic bliss of Fiji, Tahiti or the Cook Islands or on an Australia and New Zealand adventure that explores the best of these English-speaking neighbors.

The most obvious appeal of New Zealand is the country’s incredible natural beauty. And amid this splendor, there’s adventure galore: hiking, biking, kayaking, glacier trekking, skiing, jet boating and bungy jumping (invented here). New Zealand resorts, many of them intimate luxury lodges that indulge the senses with farm-to-fork cuisine and nature-based relaxation, are world-renowned. The country’s golf courses are as challenging as they are scenic and its award-winning Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs are waiting to be sipped. Add in fascinating Maori culture and you’ll wonder how you ever overlooked New Zealand until now.

To request a quote or customize a booking, please click here or call 888-828-6877.

Location

New Zealand is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is 900 miles east of Australia across the Tasman Sea

How to Get There

New Zealand is accessible from many international cities and there are airports throughout the country that you can fly into. Auckland Airport serves the largest number of international carriers including flagship Air New Zealand. Air New Zealand offers non-stop flights from several North American cities and onto 20+ domestic gateways.

To request a quote or customize a booking, please click here or call 888-828-6877.

North Island

New Zealand’s North Island is its gateway, home to Auckland (the City of Sails and New Zealand’s largest city) as well as the major wine region of Hawkes Bay and the geothermal wonders and Maori culture of Rotorua. Other highlights include the Bay of Islands, the Art Deco city of Napier, Lake Taupo and the capital, Wellington.

South Island

New Zealand’s South Island is adventure central, a playground of majestic mountains, glacier-carved fjords and vibrant blue lakes. Indulge in every outdoor pursuit imaginable, climb a glacier or spy on royal albatross. More civilized pursuits include wine tasting in Marlborough and river punting in Christchurch.

Wellington

You might expect the place where bungy jumping was invented to attract an adventurous crowd – and it does – but Queenstown’s rugged beauty (it faces a range of mountains called The Remarkables) means you can enjoy it even if the craziest thing you do is go fly fishing on Lake Wanaka.

Wine Regions

You’ll savor excellent food and wine all over New Zealand, but its main wine regions – Hawkes Bay and Martinborough on the North Island and Marlborough and Central Otago on the South Island – offer a chance to discover in person why the local Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs are so beloved.

To request a quote or customize a booking, please click here or call 888-828-6877.

Essential Items to Pack:

  • Sunscreen
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Rainproof jacket
  • Umbrella
  • Camera
  • Layers of clothing, as weather varies greatly
  • Insect repellent

Time Difference

New Zealand is in the Pacific/Auckland time zone, which is 19 hours ahead of Los Angeles (PST).

Entry and Visa Requirements

To enter New Zealand you will need a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond you intended departure date. If you are from a Visa-Waiver country, which includes the United States, you do not need a visa, but you will require the following:

  • Travel tickets or evidence of onward travel arrangements.

  • Evidence that you can support yourself monetarily while in New Zealand (approximately NZ$1000 per month).

If you are not from a Visa-waiver country, you must apply for a visa before you travel.

Customs

Upon entering New Zealand you must declare food of any kind, plants, animals, or any form of biological specimens.

Drugs, chewing tobacco, chemical weapons and chemicals that can be used in the manufacture of chemical weapons are prohibited. For a complete list of prohibited items please go to the New Zealand Customs website.

Insurance

Travel insurance is highly recommended for any person planning on adventure sports during their vacation. A policy covering theft, loss, accident, and medical issues is strongly encouraged.

Health Requirements

No vaccinations are required to enter New Zealand. Visitors traveling with large quantities of medication are advised to carry a doctor’s certificate to avoid any issues with New Zealand Customs.

Currency

New Zealand’s currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZ$). Most major North American credit cards are accepted including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.

Climate

New Zealand enjoys a temperate climate with relatively high rainfall. The seasons are opposite of North America so January and February are the warmest months, while July is the coldest. The northern areas of the country have subtropical weather during the summer and the South has cooler, alpine weather during the winter. Temperatures range from 70-90°F in the summer and between 50-60°F in the winter.

To request a quote or customize a booking, please click here or call 888-828-6877.

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