Accommodation
North Island
Auckland and the Bay of Islands
Rotorua
South Island
Queenstown & Milford Sound
Christchurch
Accommodation
Climate
Credit Cards and Travelers’ Checks
Currency
Departure & Airport Tax
Distance Calculator
Driving in New Zealand
Electricity
Goods and Services Tax
Helpful Information
Map
Passports and Visas
Public Holidays
Tipping
What to Pack
Where unspoiled wilderness and modern,
sophisticated cities meet.
From the tropical golden
sand beaches of the North Island to the plunging, deep waters of Milford
Sound at the foot of the South Island, to the bubbling thermal pools of
Rotorua, this is a land of wild and vivid contrasts. You’ll feel you are
the first to discover these islands of calm, this safe haven of natural
wonder.
Wildlife
Nature-lovers feel drawn to this country. Spot New Zealand’s unusual
and protected flightless bird, the kiwi. Visitors and locals alike love
to dolphin watch in the far North, while the beautiful Kaikoura Coast on
the South Island is renowned for the pods of giant sperm whales,
humpbacks, and even orcas.
Adrenalin-Fueled Adventures
Get your heart thumping with one of many adventure sports—on water,
land or in the air. In Queenstown, take a jet boat for a spin, or give
quad (4-wheel) biking a try. Like New Zealand’s bungy-jump innovation,
there’s always an adventure awaiting!
Golfing
No other place offers more golf course land per person than New
Zealand—a nation of golf-lovers with over 400 golf courses.
Taking Home a Piece of Us
Shopping in New Zealand offers a vast array of goods—from Maori
crafts to the finest Merino designer wool suits.
Wining & Dining in New Zealand
Tasting a traditional Maori “Hangi”—food from an earthen oven heated
with red hot stones—is a must. Dine on fresh scallops, whitebait and
crayfish, or perennial favorite, New Zealand lamb. A perfect complement
to any fine meal is one of New Zealand’s award-winning Pinot Noirs,
Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs or Rieslings—enjoy!
Places to Stay
New Zealand offers an outstanding choice of accommodation—from luxury
lodges of international acclaim to city hotels and boutique B&Bs.
Fully Escorted & Mini Tours
An easy way to get around New Zealand is to take a fully escorted
vacation with an expert guide, or a mini tour including highlights of
the North and South islands. All of our tours offer accommodation
choices to suit your budget. Some tours include a self-drive option,
providing the freedom to drive yourself.
Where unspoiled wilderness and modern, sophisticated cities meet
Where unspoiled wilderness and modern, sophisticated cities meet See map
of New Zealand on inside back cove
Auckland & Bay of Islands
From the cosmopolitan hub of Auckland to the expanse of 90-Mile
Beach, Northland and Bay of Islands offer a mix of sailing, fishing,
islands and beaches.
Rotorua & Taupo
Discover active volcanos, thermal mineral pools and underground
Glowworm Grottos in this extraordinarily diverse area. See a Maori
performance where myths of New Zealand’s heritage are relayed through
hypnotic song and dance. For quiet pleasure-seekers, luxury lodges
around Rotorua and Taupo welcome you with warm hospitality.
Wellington, Marlborough & Nelson
This region is renowned for its creativity, countryside and extreme
coastline. An hour northeast of Wellington is the famous wine region of
Martinborough. Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, boasts some of the
country’s finest galleries and museums, including Te Papa National
Museum. After a 2 1/2 hour cruise through the Marlborough Sounds, you
will arrive at Marlborough, another celebrated wine region. Nelson is
home to the unique World of Wearable Arts.
Mid South Island – Christchurch, Canterbury & The West Coast
New Zealand is a land of extremes and nowhere is this more obvious
than in the middle of the South Island. On one coast is the “garden
city” of Christchurch. Ride a punt on the Avon River, glide over the
Canterbury Plains in a hot air balloon, or visit the stunning Botanic
Gardens. Head north to Kaikoura to see giant sperm whales, dusky
dolphins, fur seals and other wildlife. The West Coast’s World Heritage
area offers some of nature’s true miracles: glaciers, rainforests,
blowholes and Pancake Rocks. For a trip you will never forget, take the
TranzAlpine train across the Southern Alps—considered one of the world’s
top train journeys.
Queenstown & Fiordland
Around Queenstown, Lakes Wakatipu and Te Anau are picturesque places
to kayak, jetboat and sail. Enjoy the adventure scene in Queenstown and
try a jetboat ride, bungy jumping, or scenic flight. At Milford Sound,
prepare yourself for breathtaking scenery.
New Zealand Information & Travel Info
New
Zealand is probably the most dramatic place on earth, with natural beauty
difficult to believe. Many people are drawn to the Land of the Long White Cloud
by her scenic splendor. The real New Zealand is much more than glistening peaks,
serene lakes and boiling mud—it is a people, a culture, a way of life. The
unique blend of Maori, Pacific Islander, Pakeha (European descendant) and other
nationalities gives a heritage that is rich and varied. It is about the length
of the Mississippi River and the width of California.
Passport and Visas
All visitors to New Zealand require a passport valid for at least three
months after the planned date of departure. Check with your travel agent for
visa requirements.
Currency
The unit of currency is the New Zealand Dollar.
Credit Cards and Traveler's Checks
All major credit cards may be used and NZD travelers’ checks are accepted at
hotels, banks and some stores. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to
5:00pm.
Goods and Services Tax .
Goods and Services Tax
All goods and services purchased in New Zealand are subject to a 121/2% Goods
and Services Tax (GST), which is usually included in the displayed price.
Visitors cannot claim refunds on this tax. However, when a supplier agrees to
export a major item to a visitor’s home address, GST is not charged on either
the goods or the freight
Electricity
The electricity current in New Zealand is 230–240 volts. Electrical
appliances will require a round-pin, two-pronged plug adapter. Check your
appliances to see if there is a 100–240v switch. If not, you will need a voltage
converter. Universal outlets for 240 or 110v shavers are usually found in
leading stores.
Departure and Airport Taxes
An Airport User Fee is payable by all travelers departing via the airports of
Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Queenstown and Palmerston
North.
Driving in New Zealand
A current international driver’s license or a license of the country of
origin is acceptable. Minimum hiring age is 21 years. Please remember to drive
on the left hand side of the road.
Tipping
New Zealanders do not depend on tips or gratuities for their income and tips
are not expected for normal service, even in restaurants and pubs. However,
tipping in appreciation for extra-special service is at your discretion. Service
charges are not normally added to hotel or restaurant bills.
What to Pack?
Dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are
acceptable at most restaurants and nightspots. Men are generally not expected to
wear suits and ties, except in a few of the top formal bars and restaurants in
major cities.
In summer a light jacket or sweater should be included in your luggage should
the weather turn cooler or you visit the high country. You can expect some rain,
so include a light waterproof jacket or coat. Pack warm winter clothing if
visiting between May and September.
Accommodation
To assist you with the selection of your accommodation, Qantas Vacations has
devised its own rating system enabling you to compare each property. Ratings are
provided solely for the guidance of our customers and have no equivalent in any
other rating system. Properties are assigned a half rating if they are a little
extra special in their category. This could be because of location or extra
facilities offered. The ratings used apply to the overall quality of the
property. Within selected properties, some room categories may vary from the
overall property rating.
Standard:
Moderate level of accommodation, offering a reasonable range of room amenities
and hotel services. Furnished to a comfortable standard, there is an emphasis on
quality and comfort.
First
Class: Properties in this category offer a superior standard of
accommodation with well-appointed bedrooms and public areas. They offer a wide
range of facilities enhanced by a high standard of service.
Deluxe:
Establishments providing the highest international standards of accommodation
and cuisine. With an excellent range of facilities and outstanding service,
properties in this category are considered the best available in the country.
Check-in/Check-out Times: In most cases check-in time is 2:00pm and check-out
time is usually 11:00am.
Run of House: Unless otherwise stated, all prices are based on “run of house”
rooms. This policy entitles the hotel to allocate any room type available to
guests.
Climate
The North of New Zealand is sub-tropical. The South may be cooler—snow can be
experienced in Winter. If you are traveling in the mountains, be sure to pack
layered clothing and a jacket.
Public Holidays & Events
1 January |
New Year’s Day |
6 February |
Waitangi Day |
21 March |
Good Friday |
24 March |
Easter Monday |
25 April |
Anzac Day |
2 June |
Queen’s Birthday |
27 October |
Labor Day |
25 December |
Christmas Day |
26 December |
Boxing Day |
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