When to Go

High Season (Dec–Feb)

» Summer: busy beaches, outdoor explorations, festivals and sporting events.

» Big-city accommodation prices rise.

» High season in the ski towns is winter (Jun–Aug).

Shoulder Season (Mar–Apr)

» Prime travelling time: fine weather, short queues, kids in school and warm(ish) ocean.

» Long evenings supping Kiwi wines and craft beers.

» Spring (Sep–Nov) is shoulder season too.

Low Season (May–Aug)

» Head for the slopes of the Southern Alps for some brilliant southern-hemisphere skiing.

» No crowds, good accommodation deals and a seat in any restaurant.

» Warm-weather beach towns might be half asleep.

Useful Websites

100% Pure New Zealand (www.newzealand.com) Official tourism site.

Department of Conservation (www.doc.govt.nz) DOC parks and camping info.

Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand) Destination information, hotel bookings, traveller forum and more.

Destination New Zealand (www.destination-nz.com) Resourceful tourism site.

DineOut (www.dineout.co.nz) Restaurant reviews.

Te Ara (www.teara.govt.nz) Online encyclopedia of NZ.

Important Numbers

Regular NZ phone numbers have a two-digit area code followed by a seven-digit number. When dialling within a region, the area code is still required. Drop the initial 0 if dialling from abroad.

Exchange Rates

For current exchange rates see www.xe.com.

Daily Costs

Budget:

Less than $130

» Dorm beds or campsites: $25−$35 per night

» Main course in a budget eatery: less than $15

» Explore NZ with a Naked Bus or InterCity bus pass: five trips from $151

Midrange:

$130–$250

» Double room in a midrange hotel/motel: $100–$200

» Main course in a midrange restaurant: $15–$32

» Hire a car and explore further: starting at $30 per day

Top End:

More than $250

» Double room in a top-end hotel: from $200

» Three-course meal in a classy restaurant: $80

» Domestic flight Auckland to Christchurch: from $100

Opening Hours

Opening hours vary seasonally (eg Dunedin is quiet during winter!), but use the following as a general guide:

Banks 9.30am–4.30pm Monday to Friday, some also 9am–noon Saturday

Cafes 7am–4pm

Pubs & Bars noon–late

Restaurants noon–2.30pm and 6.30–9pm

Shops 9am–5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to noon or 5pm Saturday

Supermarkets 8am–7pm, often 9pm or later in cities

Arriving in New Zealand

Auckland International Airport (Click here) Airbus Express buses run into the city every 10 to 30 minutes, 24 hours. Door-to-door shuttle buses run 24 hours. A taxi into the city costs around $70 (45 minutes).

Wellington Airport (Click here) Airport Flyer buses run into the city every 10 to 20 minutes from 6.30am to 9.30pm. Door-to-door shuttle buses run 24 hours. A taxi into the city costs around $30 (20 minutes).

Christchurch Airport (Click here) Christchurch Metro Red Bus Numbers 3 and 29 run into the city regularly from 6.30am to 11pm. Door-to-door shuttle buses run 24 hours. A taxi into the city costs around $50 (20 minutes).

Getting Around

New Zealand is long and skinny, and many roads are two-lane country byways: getting from A to B requires some thought.

Car Travel at your own tempo, explore remote areas and visit regions with no public transport. Hire cars in major towns. Drive on the left; the steering wheel is on the right (…in case you can’t find it).

Bus Reliable, frequent services around the country (usually cheaper than flying).

Plane Fast-track your holiday with affordable, frequent, fast internal flights. Carbon offset your flights if you’re feeling guilty.

Train Reliable, regular services (if not fast or cheap) along specific routes on both islands.

See transport for much more.