Visiting New Zealand in the Spring
Like winter, spring may not be the season that leaps to mind when planning your New Zealand holiday – the lure of summer and the escape of a northern hemisphere winter may be more what you had in mind. But, truly, any time is a good time to visit New Zealand, and we have a particular soft spot for the spring. This is due in part to our farming days when, although extremely busy with calving, silage etc we were well compensated with increasingly warmer and longer days, almost being able to see the grass grow, and the pressures of winter behind us. Even though you, the springtime visitor to New Zealand are unlikely the have pasture growth rates as the reason for your visit, there are many other bonuses to be had by visiting New Zealand in the spring.
Quieter
Spring is generally a quieter time of year so not only are there some good deals to be had (both here on the ground and for your flight), you’ll find many of the attractions less busy (all things are relative though – it’s not that crowded here)– less people on the boat, less people on the beach, less cars on the road, less people on the track. In fact you may not need to book ahead for everything, but leave some things to see how you feel as there is a good chance that there will still be a spot for you if you make a spur of the moment decision! We all enjoy a bit of spontaneity.
Australia
It may be that your trip to New Zealand is part of a bigger Antipodean Adventure – summer in Australia can be beastly hot, so a springtime visit to New Zealand would tie in nicely with visit to Australia in their less hot months.
Snow
For the skiers and snowboarders amongst you, you could just catch the end of the season – it runs to the end of September sometimes early October – if the snow’s your thing, what a great way to kick off a New Zealand holiday!
The Great Outdoors
Spring is a great time to get outside – biking, kayaking, hiking or just strolling – the days are mild, the tracks uncrowded, and the bush is bursting into life. Clamatis, yellow kowhai flowers, unfurling fern fronds, flowering manuka, lupins in the Mackenzie Country. Couple this with the cacophony of birdsong, you will love being out in our backyard!
Photo Opportunities Abound
The days are longer, the light still soft, many of the mountains still snow capped and with the lambs of New Zealand’s 30 million sheep gambolling around the paddocks, you are not going to be short of photographic opportunity.
Festivals
We love our festivals – Spring is a good time for you to come and enjoy them too! Whether it’s World of Wearable Arts, late Sept – early Oct in Wellington, or Toast Martinborough in mid November, a food and wine festival in the Wairarapa, or one of the many others.
Wine and Whitebait
For me nothing beats winding up the day, sitting out in the evening sun, with a fresh whitebait sandwich and a glass of crisp chilled sauvignon blanc. Come and join us.
