12 Must-Do Activities for Kiwis This Winter

Northland’s subtropical climate makes it ideal for a winter getaway. While you may not be basking on the Bay of Islands beaches between June and August, there are other activities to enjoy. Take a half-day cruise from Paihia out to the Hole in the Rock and watch for dolphins along the way.

There are many places around New Zealand for Tolkien fans to check out, but Matamata’s Hobbiton Movie Set is one of the best for a wet Waikato winter’s day. See where scenes from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed, then nurse a warming Southfarthing ale, cider, or ginger beer at The Green Dragon Inn.

While the ambient temperature inside the Waitomo Caves isn’t exactly balmy, at 55°F (13°C) year-round, you might find it rather comfortable in winter. Take a boat tour on the underground river and marvel at the sight of thousands of glowworms lighting the caves.

Rotorua is bursting with geothermal energy. After touring the mud pools, colorful sulfur terraces, and gushing geysers of geothermal parks such as Whakarewarewa, Hell’s Gate, or Wai-O-Tapu, warm up with a soak in outdoor hot pools. For an extra infusion of New Zealand’s geothermal wonders, check out Kerosene Creek, a natural hot pool beside a waterfall that’s a short drive from Rotorua.

Most of New Zealand’s Great Walks pass through higher-altitude alpine landscapes, making winter hiking inadvisable, but the Abel Tasman Coast Track is low-altitude and follows the coast of the Abel Tasman National Park. This makes it the perfect destination for winter hiking, as long as you’re prepared with waterproof and warm overnight gear. You can do the full 5-day camping trek or shorter day hikes by taking advantage of water taxi services.

The sheltered waters of the Marlborough Sounds are ideal for mussel and salmon farming. Hop aboard a seafood cruise from Picton or Havelock (the self-proclaimed greenshell mussel capital of the world) to learn more about aquaculture, admire the bush-clad mountains that tumble into the water, and eat your fill of tasty mussels, washed down with a local Marlborough wine.

Speaking of local wine, see where most of New Zealand’s sauvignon blanc is produced on a winery tour of Blenheim. If the weather is clear, you can cycle between wineries, which is a fun way of getting around the flat countryside, much more comfortable in the winter than in the scorching summer.

The one thing better than soaking in Hanmer Springs’ thermal pools in the summer? Soaking in them in winter, surrounded by snow. The complex contains 22 outdoor pools, slides, and a lazy river perfect for the kids. Meanwhile, adults can indulge in relaxation or spa and beauty treatments.

While the famous glaciers on New Zealand’s west coast are in retreat (aka melting) and can be difficult to see clearly from ground level, it’s a different story if you take a helicopter flight deep into the mountains. Heli tours typically land high up on a glacier—whether Franz Josef, Fox, or another—and provide views you simply can’t get any other way.

The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is the largest dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s almost entirely dark since it’s so far from any major settlements. Winter is a great time to stargaze here as the nights are long, with the sun setting at around 5pm during this season.

Milford Sound is one of the wettest places in New Zealand. Don’t let the fact that it’s winter stop you from visiting this spectacular spot—it’s rainy year-round. Cruises on the sound make the most of wet weather by taking you within meters of gushing waterfalls. You’ll get wet, but it’ll be worth it.

The Coromandel Peninsula is home to some of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches, and you can still experience these (or one in particular) in the dead of winter. Grab a spade and head to Hot Water Beach at low tide to dig yourself a natural hot bath. Hot water flows just beneath the surface of the beach, and you won’t have to dig too far to find it.