Need Advise on New Zealand Winter Holiday : What City to Visit?

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demi4candy

If you get time I think you should try and visit as many cities as you can! (there aren't many LOL) But since your time here may be limited, DEFINITELY come to the south island. My opinion may be biased but I think you get a much better "NZ" experience when you go to the South Island as opposed to the North Island.
Places you should visit:
Christchurch- it's where I live so I may be biased but it's a really beautiful city with lots of beaches and pretty gardens. We just had some exchange students from Florida come to my school and they LOVED Christchurch so much they want to move here.
Hanmer Springs- About an hour driving distance from Christchurch. It has hot pools and nice scenery.
Queenstown- adventure capital of the world, skiing beautiful scenery and more
Wanaka- never been there but I've heard its really nice
Kaikoura and Akaroa are both nice towns but they might not be so great this time of year. Although in August it should be starting to get warmer.

You can also go on a Lord of the Rings tour where you visit all the places that they filmed the LOTR movies. It's quite expensive but its worth it.

lesley w

depend what you will be doing in n z , as they sking south island , tourist do both island there so much to do ,,, get some information on n z sites

Ravi S

If you're looking for skiing, etc - then Christchurch and Queenstown are easily the best. Christchurch is a great city of around 300,000 or so, flat, easy to get around, and full of cafes. From the city centre it takes 15 minutes to get to beach (if you want to see it in winter that is...eek), and its about 30-45 minutes to Mt Hutt which is the nearest ski field.

Queenstown is smaller again but you have access to something like 3 or 4 different ski fields within an hours drive? And if you get bored of course you can always throw yourself off a bridge with a bungee cord around your ankles.

If you want to get away from the snow - the maybe try somewhere like Rotorua in the North Island, soak up some culture and maybe a couple of hours in a hot pool?

At present there is a series of southerly fronts moving through the country - so it will be cold and wet (if not snowing) in most places.

peter k

qeenstown and wanaka [half an hour drive from each other] ; tourist destination no.1 in winter - skying ,heli-flights,bungy jumps,shotover . qeenstown is town by lake [boats rides]; surrounded with snowy hills - 75 % populations are tourist from all over world . not far away old mining town Arrowtown and few places you can try panning gold ! Enjoy your trip !!

Conor T

Most people visit Queenstown because of the skiing and sites there.
Im not to sure about (winter) holidays tho sorry

Driver T

You haven't stated what experiences you are hoping to participate in.
Train excursion, whale watching, Maori culture, snow activities or what?
Apart from Maori culture, none of these winter activities is available in any NZ city.

Minnie S

Queenstown is gorgeous in winter but very cold!!Wellington is always good not specifically for a winter holiday but all year round its a lovely city!!hope that helps.

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