New Zealand Travel Tips You Should Know

When to go, what to know and how to get around.

A natural paradise of vibrant culture, stunning coasts and verdant forests, Aotearoa New Zealand is a destination to enjoy year-round, provided you do a bit of planning and preparation before you go.

Located roughly 2,000 kilometres from Australia, or three to four hours by plane, New Zealand is ideal for a weekend escape, a short break and a longer hiking, cycling or road trip adventure. Ready to go? These travel tips will help you plan your next holiday in New Zealand.

When should I go to New Zealand?

Lake Wānaka in winter — Lake Wānaka transforms into a winter wonderland. (Credit: Miles Holden / Tourism NZ)

December to February, especially during Christmas and New Year, is peak travel season in New Zealand. The sun is out, the water is warm and festivals are in full swing. Yet locals are on the move. Prices can be high and it’s crucial to book ahead. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are quieter and more affordable. March, in particular, often sees some of New Zealand’s most settled (and still warm) weather.

Top tip: Winter is another great season to visit New Zealand and not just for skiers. Exceptional night skies ideal for stargazing can be seen on Great Barrier/Aotea Island and in Wairarapa in the north of New Zealand and in Mackenzie/Aoraki, Nelson/Wakatū and Stewart Island/Rakiura in the south. New Zealand even has a national winter holiday called Matariki dedicated to stargazing and Māori celestial traditions.

What to know before I go?

●      New Zealand has a population of 5.2 million

●     ‘64’ is the country calling code

●      Keep left when driving

●      Electricity plugs are 230V/50Hz

●      Dial ‘111’ for an emergency

●      Currency is the New Zealand dollar

●      The time zone is GMT +12 hours (though the whole country observes daylight savings, so it turns the clock back an hour, from late September until early April).

Is it easy to get in and around New Zealand?

Interislander ferry sailing between the North and South Islands — Sail across the North and South Islands onboard Interislander. (Credit: Graeme Murray / Tourism NZ)

Renting a car or campervan to travel around New Zealand is popular with vehicle rental companies set up in most main centres. Two car and passenger ferry companies, Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries and Interislander, commute between the North and South Island daily. Airlines such as Air New Zealand fly to regional destinations and coaches, helicopters and scenic trains are other travel modes popular with travellers keen to explore beyond New Zealand’s main cities.

Top tip: While driving distances might appear short on the map (compared to Australia), commuting can take longer than expected on New Zealand’s many skinny, winding roads. Set aside extra time and take breaks when travelling outside the main cities.

What is the culture and language of New Zealand?

the Haka dance by Maori people — The word haka comes from the Māori words “ha" (breath) and “ka" (flame), essentially translating to the “breath of fire" or a display of inner strength. (Credit: Getty/chameleonseye)

Māori culture is a central and vibrant part of everyday life in New Zealand. English is the most widely spoken of the country’s three official languages, alongside te reo Māori (the Māori language) and New Zealand Sign Language. You will see and hear the Māori language everywhere: on road signs, in the media and as part of everyday conversations. Kia ora is a common Māori greeting and a good word to start with to familiarise yourself with the language. For more information on how to pronounce Māori words and place names, check out: reomaori.co.nz

Māori tourism is growing in New Zealand. And while it began in Rotorua in the 19th century, it is now on offer in most main centres. Today, you can experience kapa haka (traditional performing arts), waiata (traditional songs) and haka (traditional dance). You can join a hāngī (traditional earth-cooked dinner), visit marae (traditional meeting grounds) and take part in a wide range of Māori-led cultural tours as a visitor. Find out what is available at: maoritourism.co.nz.

Top tip: When it comes to cultural etiquette, you need to remove your shoes before entering a Māori meeting house and should avoid sitting on tables (it’s considered disrespectful).

Pounamu (greenstone) is a treasured traditional Māori resource only found along the beaches and rivers of the South Island. You can fossick for pounamu on the west coast beaches of the South Island (anywhere else is illegal because Ngāi Tahu, the main tribe of the South Island, are the legal owners and guardians of the treasured resource). Look for jewellery and crafts made from pounamu by local carvers available for sale throughout the country.

How safe is New Zealand?

a Maui Ultima campervan at Lake Pukaki, Canterbury — A campervan at Lake Pukaki, Canterbury. (Credit: Miles Holden / Tourism NZ)

Theft (from parked cars or campervans, in particular) can be a problem in New Zealand. So avoid leaving valuables in a parked vehicle. And, while most wildlife is safe to encounter, New Zealand’s beaches frequently feature rips and undertows (try to swim where lifeguards are on patrol). Driving on New Zealand’s narrow roads can be dangerous too.

Walkers and outdoor adventurers should check in with New Zealand’s Department of Conservation local office staff, take a personal locator beacon and ensure you have wet weather gear if you plan to visit New Zealand’s rugged mountain areas.

New Zealand is considered safe for solo female and LGBTIQ+ travellers and tap water is generally safe to drink. (Note, the Department of Conservation typically recommends treating river water while hiking in New Zealand’s more remote areas).

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How should I pay for things in New Zealand?

contactless payment at a market in New Zealand — Contactless payment is widely accepted in New Zealand. (Credit: Getty/Wei Ting Chang)

Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are generally accepted for most transactions in New Zealand, though some shops only accept debit cards. Contactless payment such as Apple Pay is often accepted. Bargaining and tipping aren’t generally practised in New Zealand. However, it is appropriate to tip, typically in cash, for excellent service.

What is connectivity like in New Zealand?

the airport lounge in New Zealand — Coverage is generally reliable in urban areas. (Credit: Getty/Yanran Li)

Wi-fi and cellular connectivity are good in New Zealand, though patchy in some remote areas. You’ll find free wi-fi is widespread, particularly in hotels. International airports in Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown and Christchurch sell SIM cards: buy yours from One NZ or Spark, two leading local providers.

What should I pack for a trip to New Zealand?

Mitre Peak from Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park — Milford Sound is one of the wettest places on Earth, receiving over 250 days of rain every year. (Credit: Will Patino / Tourism NZ)

Rain is a constant companion in New Zealand, keeping the landscape green and lush. So, definitely keep a raincoat handy. Most places can and do experience four seasons in one day. Also, the further south you go, the cooler it gets, particularly in the mountainous regions of Fiordland and Otago, but also elsewhere. Your best bet is to pack layers, take a sun hat and sunglasses and wear sunscreen (the sun can be very harsh in New Zealand, even in winter).

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Everything you need to know before visiting New Zealand