New to travelling to New Zealand? Here's some commonly asked questions (and answers).

New Zealand has confirmed cases of COVID-19. 

Please visit the Ministry of Health NZ for updates. More information can be found here. 

Yes you can legally drive in NZ if you have either a current driver’s licence from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP). Under NZ Law, you must make sure that you carry your drivers licence with you at all times when driving. To find out more about the rules on driving in New Zealand, click here.

It's best to be prepared at all times, the weather can vary in the different seasons. 

Normally there's subtropical summer days in the far north and below zero temperatures in the winter down south. You will notice a decrease in temperature the more south you travel; January and February are the warmest months with July being the coldest month of the year. Find out about weather in NZ here.

There are no Covid-19 pre-departure test or vaccination requirements to enter New Zealand. However, some airlines may require evidence of vaccinations to travel onboard their aircraft, so please ensure you check your airline's terms and conditions. 

Under the World Health Organisation, there are no general vaccination requirements for any international travellers coming to New Zealand. Find out more on general vaccine requirements here and more on Covid-19 vaccination requirements here.

If you don't want the expense of roaming. It’s best to purchase a local SIM card from one of New Zealand’s four main providers; Spark, 2 Degrees, Vodafone and Skinny. They can be purchased from international airports or from stores across New Zealand. 

Don't forget! Most of our hostels provide WiFi for free, while some of our more remote locations have a small charge for access. Check out the facilities for each hostel you'll be visiting for the finer details.

New Zealand is beautiful all year round. So it depends on what you want to do and see.

Autumn (Mar-May) is beautiful and particularly good for hiking adventures. Winter (Jun-Aug) is good for the snow enthusiasts, if you enjoy skiing, snowboarding and winter sports or just want to take in the majestic scenery then you will enjoy this time of year.

Spring (Sept-Nov) the days are getting warmer and snow season is coming to an end, you will be able to see some snow on the mountains. Spring in New Zealand is about the amazing colours, white & pink blossoms and the arrival of (cute) lambs! Summer (Dec-Feb) expect long warm days perfect for swimming, kayaking, biking and hiking. Plenty of outdoor activities.

No, we have no dangerous wild animals. 

Please remember in New Zealand you need to drive on the left-hand side of the road. Find out more information here about driving in NZ.

Only New Zealand dollars in New Zealand.

Yes you will need to book ahead, especially in the peak season which runs from October through to April. The busiest season in tourism for NZ is summer (Dec-Feb) so you will need to book tours and accommodation ahead of time to ensure availability. During the winter (Jun-Aug), it's recommended to book in advance in the towns that are busy in the winter season like Queenstown and Wanaka.