New Zealand is an incredible country, but it also requires extensive planning (especially if you’re flying in from the other side of the world). You’ll want to make sure you plan properly and have all of your documentation (and suitcase) in order before you drive to the airport. Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when traveling to New Zealand.
Not Researching or Preparing For The Weather
One of the biggest mistakes you can make before your trip is not packing according to the weather. New Zealand is notorious for unpredictable weather, and you can experience all four seasons in one day. You should pack light, but wear layers, and you absolutely need a light, waterproof jacket. You can get caught in rain showers without warning, and it can get quite windy. Because of its location in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand’s seasons are the opposite: it can get quite cold during the winter months (June-August) and hot during the summer months (December-February). Pack properly and bring enough clothes to layer as needed.
Underestimating the Sun’s Strength
Speaking of the weather, the sun will be stronger than you’re probably used to (unless you’re coming from a country like neighboring Australia). You need to pack strong, high-SPF, reef-safe sunscreen (and wear it religiously), polarized sunglasses (I like the ones from goodr), and a protective cap or hat for hikes. You don’t want to get sunburn on your trip and ruin it (or worse).
Not Booking in Advance
Once you know when you’re going to New Zealand (or your flights have been booked), you should immediately start booking any excursions you want to do (or experiences like visiting the Hobbiton movie set). You’ll want to book as early as possible, since these sell out quickly, especially during the summer or winter months. For reference, we booked our Hobbiton tour in July for a November trip, but when we arrived, the tours on the day we were there were all sold out in the morning. Don’t expect to get lucky when you arrive!
Not Filling Out Your ETA Online Beforehand
New Zealand is very strict on customs and immigration (and biosecurity, but more on that in a second). You should try to make your arrival process as smooth as possible by filling out a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) beforehand. I would give yourself at least six weeks before your arrival, but when I did mine in July, I was approved within a few minutes. I wrote an entire blog post if you’re looking for more information (and whether you need one or not).
Ignoring Biosecurity Rules
New Zealand, as a whole, takes excellent care of its country to preserve nature and its wildlife (rightfully so, especially because of their relative isolation from the rest of the world). You know the popular saying, “Leave Only Footprints Behind”? that should apply to your arrival, too. You won’t be allowed to bring many things into the country (more on that here), and I was so careful that I even got new hiking shoes (because there wasn’t any dirt stuck to the soles). You HAVE to declare anything that might be considered a biohazard or foreign to the country’s natural environment. If not, you could be charged severe fines and face additional penalties. If you’re not sure, just leave it at home.
Not Giving Yourself Enough Time to Rest
This one, in particular, applies to anyone who has a long flight to reach New Zealand. If you’re flying from the United States (like I did), you’re in for a long-haul flight, but you’ll also probably land first thing in the morning in Auckland. Whether or not you sleep on the flight over, you will be exhausted (even if it doesn’t hit you until that night). You shouldn’t try to jam-pack your first day, nor any of the days that follow. You’ll likely be driving a lot, and you need to give your body time to adjust and recuperate, too. Don’t underestimate how much rest you’ll need.
Underestimating Driving Times and Conditions
Tagging along with the mistake above, while New Zealand has pretty solid infrastructure and paved roads, there will be a lot of driving involved on your road trip. While you may not think five or six hours of driving time is a lot, it will quickly add up. You will get tired, and you may run into unexpected weather that forces you to pull over or find somewhere to stop. New Zealand also has so many viewpoints and places you’ll want to stop, so even if the drive says it’s four hours, it’ll definitely take you longer.
Being Too Ambitious With Your Itinerary
I know New Zealand is a beautiful, beautiful country. There’s so much to see and do, and you don’t want to miss anything. After all, when are you going to get the chance to get back? But don’t make the mistake of overpacking your itinerary. No matter how long your trip is, you will miss something. It’s unfortunate, but that’s what return trips are for! I like to pick a couple of things (ideally close to each other) every day and leave the rest to chance. There’s also so much to discover in person that you just won’t be able to find on the Internet.
Not Renting a Car or Campervan
New Zealand’s public infrastructure is not the best, so you won’t be able to use public transportation to get between cities or around the country. Within cities, sure. Outside of them? Not at all. To get around, you will need to rent a car or campervan for easy transportation. Yes, it’s a bit costly, but you’ll be grateful for it when you’re there. Campervans are the more popular option, but we rented a car, and stayed in Airbnb’s and smaller hotels along our road trip.
Driving on the Right Side!
Like most of the rest of the world, New Zealand drives on the LEFT side of the road. If you’re coming from a country where you’re accustomed to driving on the right side, it may take some adjustment in the first few days. Go slow, be extra cautious, and follow the rules of the road. We didn’t see too many cops (except in major cities), but they are still there. And if you do get a speeding ticket or another minor ticket in New Zealand, the most you’ll have to do (likely) is pay a fine before you can leave the country.
Not Checking Opening/Closing Times
When planning your itinerary, make sure to check opening and closing times for experiences, tours, etc., when you book them (or when adding them to your itinerary) because a lot of places in the country will close early or be closed completely on certain days of the week, especially in smaller towns. There were a bunch of restaurants I missed out on dining at because they were closed on the days we were there. But it could also be a bigger miss than that, so check timings and plan around them.
Not Being Considerate to Other Photographers and Travelers
This one should be obvious, but we could all always use another reminder (especially for my fellow Americans). It’s easy to lose all of your inhibitions, propriety, and common sense when you’re on vacation, but please don’t. Be respectful, use your manners, and don’t do anything you wouldn’t want someone to do in your house. Definitely don’t litter or leave anything behind wherever you go. But the main reason I added this is because you’re going to run into a lot of other travelers. When you visit someplace like Wānaka to take pictures of the famous Wānaka Tree, don’t park yourself in front of it with your tripod for an hour. Other travelers want to get the perfect shot, too. I had to walk up and down the lake for photos because a dozen people were set up right in front of the tree around sunset. I get it, but be mindful of others around you. Take your shots and move, please.
BONUS: Forgetting Your Medication if You Get Motion Sickness
If you get motion sickness easily, do not forget your medication or anything that normally helps prevent it. You will be doing a lot of driving on hills and through mountains and valleys, and the constant up-and-down motions will make you sick. You will also need it if you plan to do any cruises, especially the one between both islands (which is relatively smooth sailing, but can be unpredictable) or a Milford Sound cruise.
Are there other common mistakes travelers to New Zealand make that I forgot? Let me know in the comments!
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