New Zealand seminar at Audley
Arthur's Pass, New Zealand
On friday I attended the ‘Seasons of New Zealand’ client seminar which was presented by members of the New Zealand team here at Audley. The seminar aimed to show New Zealand as a year-round destination by highlighting just a few of the attractions available throughout the various seasons.
It is generally considered that the best to visit New Zealand is during their summer (December to February), however, as I, and 20 other people discovered there are some real benefits to visiting during spring, autumn and winter, a few of which I have detailed below:
Autumn – Autumn in New Zealand falls during March, April and May. Anyone travelling during these months can expect to experience cool, clear days with temperatures between 16 and 20 degrees. The main attraction of travelling during this season though is the spectacular autumn colours that can be experienced, as well as numerous festivals including Arrowtown Autumn Festival. Another advantage of travelling during the autumn season is that, on average, flights can be approximately £200 cheaper. If you are interested in the local wildlife then autumn is a great time to visit.
Winter – Winter in New Zealand falls during June, July and August and is renowned for it’s stunning snow-capped mountains and clear, crisp days. As with autumn, the dramatic landscapes during winter lend themselves well to photography enthusiasts, and this is the best time of the year for winter sports fans who can enjoy skiing and heli-hiking amongst other activities. Most operators continue their excursions during winter and being out of season means attractions will be a lot quieter than during peak times. Most properties also offer winter rates.
Spring - Spring in New Zealand falls between September and November and visitors during this time can expect anything from cool, frosty mornings to warm, sunny days. The South Island is particularly good to visit during the spring as the snow still lies on the mountains whilst spring flowers are in full bloom. Wildlife such as whales, dolphins and royal albatross are present all year round in New Zealand, but are particularly accessible during the spring, and activities such as jet boating and white water rafting are also good. Tramping (walking) through New Zealand’s various national parks is brilliant during this time of the year as temperatures are more comfortable and peak season crowds can be avoided.
Summer – Summer in New Zealand falls between December and February and is the most obvious and busy time to travel to the country. Temperatures can reach the high 20′s. Although this is the peak time to visit New Zealand there are some amazing attractions to enjoy from the famous Louis Vuitton yacht racing in Auckland to the South Island’s Annual Festival of Flowers. Classic Kiwi activities such as swimming with dolphins, kayaking and scenic cruises are at their best during the summer, but with them comes the crowds.
The seminars are a great way to learn a bit more about the countries you are considering travelling to as well as giving you the opportunity to have an informal chat with our specialists. If you are interested in attending one of our client seminars take a look at our Seminar Programme for information on upcoming events.
