Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in New Zealand
New Zealand during the festive season is truly magical. The Hobbiton movie set looks exactly like the films, Franz Josef Glacier hiking gets you on actual ice, Milford Sound's fiords are dramatic and steep, and Rotorua's geothermal areas bubble and steam everywhere. Lake Tekapo has some of the darkest skies for stargazing, Cathedral Cove by kayak shows you rock arches from the water, and Waitomo Caves have glowworms lighting up the darkness like stars. It’s unforgettable.
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Was truly amazing, especially thanks to the lovely company of both the contiki crew and the group
New Zealand: Sweet As South (Westbound)This tour was run by Haka Tours. There were several things that didn't go according to the itinerary: stay in Ohau was changed to Lake Tekapo, stay in Raglan was changed to Waitomo (which added 1.5hrs drive in the opposite direction). These were without any advance notice from Intrepid/Haka and no explanation given. We lost the morning free time in Raglan as a result & ended up on the road extra long. The published itinerary is too optimistic and in reality, driving time is much longer (half of the trip is spent on the road). This means much less free time than listed -- for example, forget about having morning free time in the towns because we had to get on the road early. Since shops close by 5-6pm, by the time we check in and have free time, the shops were closing. The 20 day tour ended up with different tour guides for the first & second half - one who was hired last minute & hadn't done the tour in this direction before, hadn't read the itinerary descriptions & didn't know about the listed optional activities. The 2nd guide was much more organized but then mis-managed the time and we ended up completely missing one of the scheduled activities which had to be moved to the next day. Not just the tour guides but the tour company made mistakes too. For example, the new people joining the 2nd half of the tour weren't even told when to meet up or were given wrong information. And the ferry crossing only had reservation for the tour bus but not the trailer. You'd expect an experienced company not to be missing these kinds of details. Most of the accommodations were motel quality and decent but a couple were really bad though like very dated, or lumpy carpet, or next to noisy highway. A couple of the breakfasts included were too simple - one was vegan with no hot food, and another looked like a kid's meal (fruit cup, yogurt, museli, toast). Most of the activities are optional which means the cost is much higher if you want to do highlights included in other tours like Milford Sound. As for booking optional activities, the FAQ says to contact them to book in advance but the reply received was to book with the guide after the tour starts. However, certain popoular excursions get booked up so some people missed out because of this. There's also discrepancy between the tour description on the Haka Tours site vs Intrepid (I compared them day-by-day) -- go with the Haka one as more accurate.
New Zealand Uncovered (Northbound, 30 destinations)We really enjoyed our tour of South Island. It was very well organised and Telli, our guide, was absolutely brilliant! He was knowledgeable, informative, kind and had a great sense of humour – everybody warmed to him and he went above and beyond to make sure we all had the best time. We didn't have the funds to splash out on the extra activities but we still enjoyed every location we visited. There was so much to see and do, and we were lucky to have a really fantastic group of fellow travellers. All the accommodation was clean and comfortable, and Telli recommended places to eat and drink. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Wild Kiwi.
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SteffNew Zealand travel expert at TourRadar
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New Zealand: Sweet As South (Westbound)
“Get more money for activities you will not regret.”
Jinyoung, traveled in January
Toast the holidays with a Skyline Restaurant Christmas dinner overlooking Queenstown. Marvel at seasonal magic at Milford Sound's waterfalls, take Franz Josef Glacier walks, and join festive gatherings at Lake Ōhau Lodge with views of snow-capped Mt. Cook.
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Haast, Wanaka, Queenstown, Cardrona, Milford Sound, Te Anau, ManapouriSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-35 Operator Contiki From $1,825
26% Off- US$1,346
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Arthur's Pass National Park, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown Age Range Ages 2-60 Operator STM Tours LLC From $3,213
27% Off- US$2,345
Visit Christchurch's festive Botanic Gardens and Queenstown's holiday attractions this season. Marvel at summer views from Lake Tekapo's Church of the Good Shepherd, plus seasonal activities at Franz Josef Glacier. Includes 9 breakfasts and 2 special holiday dinners.
Duration 10 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Lake Ohau, Twizel, Kawarau Gorge, Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Lake WanakaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $5,240
20% Off- US$4,192
Duration 20 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Lake Ohau, Twizel, Kawarau Gorge, Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Lake WanakaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $9,530
20% Off- US$7,624
Premium - South Island Escape
“We really enjoyed our tour of South Island. It was very well organised and we all had the best time.”
Helen, traveled in February
New Zealand's festive charm shines at premium hotels from Tekapo to Queenstown. Mt Difficulty Vineyard presents holiday dining, Dark Sky Reserve offers New Year stargazing, and Franz Josef Glacier displays winter wonderland views.
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Franz Josef Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Wild Kiwi From
20% Off- US$2,444+$418 upfront costs
Ring in the new year while traveling through New Zealand's summer, leaving Auckland on December 30th. You'll dig your own hot spa pool at Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula, float beneath glowworms in Waitomo's caves, soak in Rotorua's geothermal pools at Wai Ariki, and celebrate in Queenstown.
Duration 17 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington, Abel Tasman National Park, Westport, Hokitika, Franz JosefSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Kiwi Experience From $1,674
10% Off- US$1,507
Duration 12 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Vio Travel From $2,788
5% Off- US$2,649
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in New Zealand
When is the best time to book a Christmas & New Year tour in New Zealand?
Planning ahead is crucial for New Zealand's festive season. Book your tour 6-8 months before departure to secure spots at popular destinations like Queenstown Milford Sound and Franz Josef Glacier. December marks the peak of summer tourism with limited availability across most destinations. One TourRadar traveler noted "Make all certain that activities and accommodations are included and confirmed well in advance especially around the holiday season when availability can be limited."
What special Christmas & New Year activities are included in New Zealand tours?
The holiday season in New Zealand combines traditional festivities with local culture. Visitors can join hangi dinners at Te Puia in Rotorua watch New Year's Eve fireworks in Auckland or Queenstown and take holiday cruises on Milford Sound. Premium accommodations like the Hermitage Hotel in Mount Cook and Novotel in Queenstown prepare special Christmas meals. According to a TourRadar traveler "The TSS Earnslaw cruise on Lake Wakatipu offers magical evening celebrations during the holiday season."
What are the must-see destinations for Christmas & New Year in New Zealand?
Key holiday destinations start with Queenstown's New Year celebrations and extend to Milford Sound's Christmas cruises. Rotorua offers Christmas experiences with Maori communities while Franz Josef Glacier provides summer ice explorations. Wellington's Te Papa Museum and Auckland's harbor feature holiday programs throughout the season. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Spending Christmas Day cruising Milford Sound and New Year's Eve in Queenstown's buzzing atmosphere was absolutely magical."
What's the weather like during Christmas & New Year in New Zealand?
New Zealand's summer coincides with the holiday season creating ideal conditions for outdoor celebrations. Queenstown experiences temperatures of 20-25°C with daylight lasting until 9pm. The Bay of Islands sees warmer weather around 25-28°C perfect for swimming while Rotorua maintains comfortable temperatures of 22-24°C. One TourRadar traveler noted: "The weather was beautiful the people were really nice and the scenery was amazing during the holiday season."
Where are the best places to stay during Christmas & New Year in New Zealand?
Holiday accommodations range from mountain retreats to waterfront hotels. The Scenic Hotel in Franz Josef provides mountain views while the Heritage Queenstown overlooks Lake Wakatipu. Urban options include the Cordis Auckland and InterContinental Wellington with special holiday packages. A TourRadar traveler commented: "Staying at the Heritage Queenstown over New Year's was perfect - we had an amazing view of the fireworks over the lake from our balcony."
How much should I budget for a Christmas & New Year tour in New Zealand?
Ten to fourteen-day tours during the holiday season cost between USD 2500-6500 per person. This covers stays at properties like Quest Queenstown or Ramada Suites plus transportation and guided activities. Extra expenses include optional activities ($150-300 each) daily meals ($50-100) and New Year's Eve events. A TourRadar traveler advised "Budget extra for this period as many restaurants and activities have special holiday pricing."
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