Winter New Zealand Tours

5 August 2022 / by Carla Rissmann / in Travel New Zealand
What to pack for your NZ Winter Tour, New Zealand Tours

How to travel New Zealand in the Winter months.

New Zealand winter tours

New Zealand is well known for its skiing, fresh powder and long snow season, but there’s more to this country than just hitting the slopes in winter.

 Winter in New Zealand is classed as from May until September. It’s a great time of year to take an adventure tour. Although self-driving is popular in New Zealand, sleeping in a campervan isn’t too fun during the winter months. Wouldnt you prefer to be in the warmth of a hostel?

We have lots of small group adventure tours specializing in exploring New Zealand in winter.

On our 6 days Ski and Snow tour from Christchurch, you will experience the best of South Island like Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo all the way to the buzz of Queenstown, a true winter town. Unlike Europe where your off-piste resort life happens up the mountain, in New Zealand all the action takes place at the bottom of the mountain. In Queenstown! This small town is surrounded by the Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and Cardrona which ensures its the gateway for all Ski and Snowboarders here on holiday. Plus a few famous faces too if you’re a Winter Olympics fan! Queenstown is so busy during winter it has a party vibe every night, with so many bars and restaurants for you to warm up in after a day on the slopes. Finish our 6-day winter tour in Queenstown and stay for a few extra days to soak up the atmosphere or book a couple more days Skiing or snowboarding.

Treble Cone, Winter Tours in New Zealand

For those who have a little bit more time to journey through New Zealand in winter check out our 9 day Alpine Explorer tour. This tour takes in Franz Joseph, which is a glacier that can be visited all year round, but when better than on a crisp winter’s day! This tour gives you the chance to Ski or Snowboard in 4 different locations in New Zealand. Plus a swim in the Tekapo hot springs is a must do after a day hiking in the colder climate of the South Island.

All our accommodated tours have winter options in both the North and the South Islands of New Zealand. We guarantee every departure on our winter tours, so you can be sure there is always a tour that will suit you in New Zealand. Some say New Zealand is more beautiful in winter, with the snow-capped mountains around every corner and fewer tourists so you can feel like you have the country all to yourself. Plus the winter isn’t as cold as many of us are used to in Europe and North America, it’s actually rather pleasant with sunny days allowing for plenty of outdoor hiking and exploring. The soft light of a winter’s evening in New Zealand is perfect for snapping your new Facebook profile picture, it just makes everything look perfect.

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.”

Real Adventure Group

The North Island isn’t as cold as the South. Its a rather temperate climate, so during winter you can still spend your days exploring forests, walking our beautiful beaches and taking in the culture. In the evening our properties will offer a warm place to relax by the fire, cook an evening meal, and get a well-earned night’s rest. For a vacation in the North to stay out of the very cold area of New Zealand our 13-day Full North Island Auckland to Auckland tour is ideal for you to see the full range of wonder the north has to offer in the winter months.

The South Island is where winter really shines, with snow-dusted landscapes and magnificent glaciers this is a region better in winter! With Whales, Seals, and Dolphins ever-present in Kaikoura you are able to see all our native wildlife here in New Zealand even during the colder months. Our 10 day Best of the South Island winter tour takes in Franz Josef to see the glacier, Wanaka to bike around the lake to keep warm and Queenstown for the best hot chocolate we have ever tasted at Patagonia whilst you marvel at the Lake.

What to wear in New Zealand in Winter

One main tip from the team here at Real Kiwi Adventures: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” So make sure you have packed an extra jumper, waterproof jacket, some good quality walking shoes, and a warm hat so you really fit into the Kiwi way of doing winter right.

Enjoy your winter tour in New Zealand.

Real Kiwi Recommendations

  • Come to New Zealand in winter –  Its quieter and more beautiful! 

Winter Tours in New Zealand

    Carla Rissmann

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