New Zealand is a bargain holiday destination in winter (low season). Moody mountain scenery, thundering waterfalls are magnificent year round. Showers, a tad chilly then check out cosy warm indoor destinations adding variety to your holiday choices. Family and friends will enjoy discovering authentic movie magic in Wellington or relish the opportunity to explore Christchurch’s weekend markets. For the kids Antarctic Centre guarantees holiday success.
AUCKLAND
Auckland is a popular international hub for New Zealand’s overseas visitors. Auckland, with its subtropical climate is a comfortable year round destination. Let’s get you out and about on your NZ winter holiday.
Auckland’s Winter Treats
- Weekend markets, such as Matakana, are open year round. Nestled within the Auckland wine region with galleries and crafty goodies it’s a great place for families and friends to enjoy a day trip from Auckland. For more weekend markets check out 10 weekend markets a short drive from Auckland – Best Bits. The short excursion is ideal for families.
- Delicious, classic New Zealand baking is found at the Chelsea Sugar Factory & Regional Park – Best Bits. Sugar refining has been processed at this central Auckland site for over 100 years. The kids will love a factory tour complete with a pink safety vest. Forward booking is strongly recommended.
- Friends enjoying the low season budget joy of a New Zealand holiday can consider a rainy day relaxing in Boutique cinemas, where to go in Auckland – Best Bits.
- Want to get outdoors in Auckland then a quirky short walk in Auckland cemeteries where to go and what to see – Best Bits is a great option. City cafes are a short skip away.
- Families with kids will love roaming through the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Conveniently located on major bus routes as well as part of the Auckland visitor hop on and hop off bus route the museum is a modern indoor space celebrating unique New Zealand culture and history. The Maori interactive exhibits are an ideal introduction for overseas visitors.
- For the nautically inclined, take a short ferry ride from downtown Auckland to the National museum of the royal New Zealand Navy – Best Bits.
Useful Auckland city resources to check out –Â Auckland getting around, useful travel facts – Best Bits
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ROTORUA
Rotorua, a New Zealand overseas visitor hot spot is a #nzmustdo year round.
- Steamy warm geothermal energy is a winter wrap around treat. The joy of soaking in natural warm mineral pools or tagging friends and family with warm gooey mud at HellsGate spa is a must for visitors.
- Rotorua town walks, Sulphur Bay boardwalk – Best Bits banish the raindrops walking through an authentic lunar style landscape.
- Who cares if it’s raining, you are going to get wet anyway. Raft over a waterfall with Kaituna Cascades Rafting in Rotorua – Best Bits.
- Rotorua is an ideal place to visit in the low season check out where the bargains are.
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WELLINGTON IN WINTER
We admit Wellington can be blustery (very windy, wild and wet) in winter yet the premier attractions in Wellington are largely indoors. A perfect place for visitors intent on exploring one of the world’s cutest little capital cities.
- Wellington indoors attractions for visitors – Weta Workshop, Wellington – Best Bits, amazing world renown film studios specialising in fantasy, movie magic and imagination on steroids.
- Stroll Wellington’s golden mile, Ultimate guide to attractions on the Lambton Quay to Wellington Cable Car walk – Best Bits cafes, National Museum, Te Papa, galleries are perfect places to get into the holiday vibe.
- A gem is the Wellington Museum with its intriguing attic of curiosities and odd collections. The kids will be intrigued.
Still not sure about a winter holiday in Wellington? Brush up on Wellington frequently asked questions about travel, holidays and getting around – Best Bits
Family-friendly activities in Wellington – Book Here
New Zealand’s South Island is glorious in winter. Snow covered alpine ranges, nature in its tumultuous glory is New Zealand scenery in its chilly finery. A #nzmustdo with a merino wool layer and a T shirt making your trip a breeze.
CHRISTCHURCH
Christchurch, an overseas holiday hub for international visitors is a year round hot spot.Â
- The International Antarctic Centre is an ideal family friendly winter destination.
- Kids will love a trip on Heritage tram premier Christchurch hop on and hop off attraction – Best Bits and friends can relax in cafes on the Spanish Mission cafes.
- Visit Brighton beach in winter and soak in the Christchurch, New Brighton Beach Hot Pools attraction, things to do – Best Bits.
- Christchurch Weekend markets without the summer crowds is a great place for winter visitors. There is plenty to do for the kids as well as foodie goodies for everyone.
- A spot of rain adds to the fun as the kids explore a world class playground with plenty of things for teenagers to do. Margaret Mahy Playground and other Christchurch play areas for kids of all ages – Best Bits.
Ideal clothing for your NZ holiday is layers. Warm natural merino layer, with a wet weather waterproof outer. New Zealand, in its major metropolitan areas, does not experience continual heavy snowfall.
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