Planning A Post Pandemic Trip Around New Zealand

Whether you are travelling solo, in a group, or with your family members, New Zealand is a destination that has something for everyone. Home to numerous geothermal marvels and perfectly picturesque beaches and so much more, New Zealand is definitely on top of many travellers’ post-pandemic bucket lists.

With that in mind, we are listing a couple of useful tips that should help you plan your trip around New Zealand more easily.

Choose the right time to travel

As a country with a largely temperate climate, New Zealand is ideal for visiting year-round, with the only exception being spring months. During the spring, the weather tends to get windy and becomes rather unstable, which is why it’s often suggested to avoid travelling there during these couple of months.

If you decide to travel in winter, you should know that this island is home to some of the top skiing destinations in New Zealand. Places such as Mount Ruapehu and Mount Cook/Aoraki, which can be especially appealing if you’re into recreational activities and winter sports—planning a trip to New Zealand in summer?

You’ll get to enjoy some amazing greenery and explore the majestic coastlines. At the same time, an autumn trip around New Zealand is nothing short of amazing, with all the colourful foliage it has to offer from March to May.

Stay safe while travelling

While choosing the perfect place in New Zealand to travel to is a matter of personal preference, there are some rules and regulations that have to be followed to make your trip as safe as possible and prevent the spreading of COVID-19.

For instance, if you’re travelling to New Zealand from another country, you will need to get tested for COVID-19, and you’ll need to be quarantined or isolated for 14 days. As for Australian citizens and permanent residents ordinarily residing in New Zealand, they are allowed to travel to New Zealand, but they are expected to show acceptable evidence before boarding their flight.

Any other travel will need to be for critical purposes only and will involve requesting approval, after which travellers can apply for either a variation of their visa conditions (work/student visa) or a Critical Purpose Visa.

Think about your travel options

Which mode of transportation you choose for your trip around New Zealand will largely depend on the place you’re planning on visiting. A ferry can be a great way to sail from one place to another and could be a perfect solution for travelling between two islands.

At the same time, an intercity bus will take you to practically any location imaginable (on land). An affordable travel option would be to rent a car – this is an ideal way to travel to New Zealand on a budget and explore all its beauty.

The best part? You are the one in charge of the schedule, meaning you can relax, take your time, and see all the things you went for without feeling like you’re in a rush.

Find the right type of accommodation

Since New Zealand is quite a popular travel destination, it is advisable to book your accommodation well in advance, especially if you’re looking to travel to the main tourist areas such as Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch.

Making reservations at a hotel is a standard. Still, if you’re travelling on a budget and looking to cut costs wherever you can, you should consider wallet-friendly alternatives such as Couchsurfing or hostels, which are ideal for backpackers and solo travellers looking to save money while travelling.

It would help if you also looked into Airbnb as a great accommodation option – there are so many different rentals that suit all the different kinds of budgets. However, some could end up costing as much as a hotel room, so you want to be cautious when booking an Airbnb.

Learn more about appropriate etiquette

Exploring new languages, countries, and customs or learning more about your own country’s culture is very much like embarking on an exciting adventure. The differences between cultures are what makes every country different and unique, and it’s important to understand these differences and learn more about them before visiting our destination.

Whether you’re travelling around the country or visiting New Zealand for the first time, chances are you’ll run into several marae complexes. They are another of many New Zealand’s draw-cards that allow you to experience Māori culture.

Still, you must acquaint yourself with appropriate etiquette when visiting a marae and familiarize yourself with everything from powhiri to Karanga to hongi and hangi. Rotorua is an ideal location for learning more about the culture of New Zealand’s indigenous people.

Some other must-visit places include Cape Reinga, Waiheke Island, Poor Knights Islands, and Waikato countryside. If you’re a fan of The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, making a stop at the last one is something you should make a part of your itinerary.

Be cautious while on the road

Aside from checking all the regulations and restrictions regarding COVID-19, staying safe while travelling around New Zealand also calls for cautious driving.

For starters, if you’re planning a road trip, you should know that Kiwis drive on the left-hand side of the road (just like Australia, Japan, and the UK), so if you’re coming from a country where driving on the right-hand side of the road is the norm, you want to be extra cautious and keep left.

You should also avoid driving for long periods, rest after every two hours of driving, pay special attention when driving on the highway, and most importantly – always drive to the conditions.

Wrapping up

New Zealand continues to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and for a good reason. A little bit of planning and organizing goes a long way in ensuring a safe and fun travel experience, so be sure to rely on the tips above and make the most of your post-pandemic trip around New Zealand.

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