I'm visiting New Zealand in June and July - where should I go and how are the national parks?
Hi everyone,
I'm visiting New Zealand in June and July of 2010. Most of the travel information I've read seems to be about the summer and spring months. What are the condition of the national parks in the winter? Are they worth going to if I'm not into winter sports? Is it worth it to go to Queenstown, Franz Josef Glacier or Abel Tasman National park? I should also mention I'm going alone, so I don't want to ever be stuck out in the wilderness by myself, especially not in the winter! Overall, What's a good itinerary for New Zealand in the winter (particularly the South Island) that doesn't involve any winter sports or wilderness adventures that would still allow me to see some beautiful scenery? Any help would be useful 😊
-Anna
Reply to this Hi Anna,
New Zealand is a very safe and beautiful. Is you want to enjoy the South Island in winter and are not into winter sports you can go to Queenstown, Wanka, Milford Sound. Have a look at my South Island blog for some ideas and let me know if you have any further qusetions.
Shabs
Reply to this I agree you will find New Zealand very safe. Great but COLD in the winter especially in the South Island.
Franz & Fox great to view the glaciers, Flights run about 50% of the time due to being very high rainfall area (West Coast) but if you can get up Fantastic.
Milford Awesome anytime of the year even when raining as there is just hundreds of waterfalls' however as a coach driver I would recomend you take one of the organised trips, as the road can be very bad in the winter.
Have a great time and don't forget Christchurch especially if you are into Art, gardens and early NZ history.
Kiwitourman
Reply to this Hi there. I hope I'm not too late for this, but Rotorua is terrific in the winter. It's a geothermal area (mud pools, hot mineral soaking pools, fantastic Polynesian Spa, on the shores of Lake Rotorua). This is overlaid with genuine Maori culture and a million other things to do. Rotorua is in the heart of the North Island of New Zealand. You'll find inexpensive accommodation as well as top class, international accommodation. In winter it can be cold - but there's simply so much to do, you'll love it. Try the mud wrap at Polynesian Spa - it's created using Rotorua's geothermal mud. Then dip into the hot mineral water and just soak. Gorgeous!
Reply to this NZ is great in winter, with less people! Be sure to visit Nelson and the sorrounding region at the top of the south.
Nelson has the lakes national park, and Tasman has the Abel Tasman NP and Golden Bay, the weather is sunny and settled but a bit crisp, in winter!
If you want to know a little more, and need to find a nice place to stay, you can see this
site for some options. Enjoy New Zealand! Reply to this Just come back from tour in South Island.
Tekapo was awesome with heaps of snow. Starting to get cold now but Queenstown still has heaps to do.
Off to do Transalpine rail trip in August and a couple of nights in Hamner Springs, Hot Pools.
If you want to organise group transport when touring around New Zealand then check these guys out.
Reply to this Hi ewokparade,
If your visiting the North Island, I recommend you visit the Taupo and Rotorua Region. There are plenty of geothermal attractions and tourist activities to do. I recommend free attractions such as Craters of the Moon, Kerosine Creek, Huka Falls, and Kuirau Park.
More information on these attractions are available here:
Rotorua is especially good in the winter time. Most Hotels, Motels and backpackers have access to Geothermal Spa baths and spa pools.
Have fun :-) Reply to this 
