Gap 360 is now Adventure360. New name, same great adventures.
Read More
Feel like being transported away to Narnia, Mordor or a land yet undiscovered? Want to see a land of imagination become a reality? Then New Zealand is the option for you! New Zealand has become the choice for film directors, as despite the fact that it is a relatively small country New Zealand has vast amounts of untapped beauty at its disposal, making it the natural location for the fantastical worlds brought to life in films such as Peter Jackson’s Lord of The Rings Trilogy and Disney’s Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Don’t worry; it isn’t all being occupied by film crews trying to get that immense scenic shot; New Zealand’s big attraction is traditionally for thrill seekers and it’s no surprise when you can choose from such adventures as skiing, surfing and white water rafting. After all, this is the country that created Bungee Jumping and is home to Queensland, the adventure capital of the world.
Larger-than-life mountains, lilac flowers and unbelievably blue water make Lake Tekapo an inspirational landscape to discover. Stargaze while sinking into hot springs, or if you’re visiting in the winter, there’s the chance to see the dazzling aurora of the Southern Lights.
Step into Tolkien’s imagination with a tour around the Hobbiton set, as seen in the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit films. Wander with excited purpose as you explore protagonists Bilbo and Frodo Baggins’ homes, before celebrating your adventure into Middle-earth with drinks at the Green Dragon Inn.
Milford Sound is the star of Fiordland National Park, yet its hidden location has a frontier effect. Its indigo, almost black water brushes against the sharp cliffs and royal green rainforest like a pool of ink. Even the most experienced traveller will be impressed by this spectacular landscape.
New Zealand’s largest city is more than meets the eye. With a striking mountain range, black sand beaches and a harbour heart, Auckland’s nature getaways are just as promising as the city’s entertaining downtown. It’s the perfect base for a trip down under.
The Kiwi rainforest has a frozen heart. No day is the same when trekking the legendary Franz Josef Glacier, as this fast-flowing natural wonder is always evolving. Discover caves, tunnels and more while hiking an accessible path crafted by experts inside this ice giant destination.
Encounter a staggering variety of wildlife off the coast of Kaikoura. This scenic fishing village is an ocean odyssey, with dolphins, sperm whales, seal colonies, a small penguin army and even the elusive albatross all awaiting discovery. For on-land activities, check out the beaches and bars.
Despite being a relatively easy hike, experienced trekkers don’t want to miss this rite of passage route when visiting Aoraki / Mount Cook. The 5km Hooker Valley track whisks you through spectacular scenery before finishing on a high at the breathtaking glacial lake. This is New Zealand at its peak!
White water rafting, skiing, paragliding, jet boating and bungee jumping off the bridge where the daredevil sport was invented are just a taste of all the activities you could do in the world’s adventure capital. Congratulate your courage downtown, from après pubs and happy hour bars to nightclubs.
The New Zealanders love their food and they have plenty of speciality dishes to indulge in when you are out there. New Zealand is a predominantly farming country which guarantees delicious fresh, local produce. Dining is a relaxed experience; all part of the chilled-out Kiwi lifestyle.
New Zealand gets plenty of sunshine (over 2000 hours a year) but the country has a mild climate and there can be high amounts of rainfall. New Zealand’s weather is not unlike the UK, except the seasons are reversed as it is in the southern hemisphere. Summer is December – February and winter is June – August. In Auckland (in the north and therefore warmer – closer to the equator) the summer temperature reaches the high twenties, and in Queenstown (far south and thus colder) the winter reaches freezing or below. New Zealand is also fairly rainy, averaging about 95mm a month across the country. The highest temperature ever recorded in New Zealand is a scorching 42°C, and the lowest is a chilly -22°C.
Visas may be required depending on your nationality, travel plans, and length of stay. Below are the FCDO travel advice for British travellers. Entry rules can change at any time, so always check with the relevant embassy before travelling.
To make things easier, we’ve partnered with The Travel Visa Company, a UK-based visa specialist. Their team can guide you on requirements and, for a fee, apply for visas on your behalf.
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of New Zealand’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in New Zealand set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the New Zealand High Commission in the UK.
To enter New Zealand, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave.
If you’re travelling through another country on your way to or from New Zealand, check the entry requirements for that country. Many countries require at least 6 months validity on your passport. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
You can visit New Zealand without a visa for up to 6 months. However you do need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).
At New Zealand border control, you will also need to show:
Check the full criteria for visa-free entry on New Zealand Immigration.
New Zealand has strict immigration rules, particularly on employment. You must have a visa to work or study in New Zealand.
Check the visa options and costs on New Zealand Immigration.
To extend your visa, first check your visa expiry date on the New Zealand Visa Verification Service. See how to apply for a visa extension.
If you are entering without a visa, you need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before you travel. You will also need to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy when you apply.
Allow up to 72 hours for it to be processed. Your NZeTA is valid for up to 2 years.
You will need to get a NZeTA before you travel if you are travelling through New Zealand to another country.
In most cases, transit passengers must hold an NZeTA or transit NZeTA before travel.
Everyone travelling into New Zealand needs to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD). It is free and you can use the online form or the NZTD app. There is a paper declaration form for travellers who cannot complete it online.
Your declaration is linked to your passport and is checked when you arrive at the e-Gate or by a border officer.
The earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before you start your trip to New Zealand. It needs to be submitted by the time you reach passport control in New Zealand.
If you are travelling on a domestic flight, familiarise yourself with security procedures, you can read information on these from the New Zealand government.
The earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before departing the vessel’s last foreign port. It needs to be submitted by the time the vessel has arrived at its first port in New Zealand.
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s New Zealand guide.
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of New Zealand. It is illegal to import most food products. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Some products, including wood and leather products, golf clubs, tents and fishing equipment, can carry harmful pests or diseases. Check what items you are permitted to bring into New Zealand. If in doubt, declare items to a Biosecurity New Zealand official or dispose of them in one of the marked bins available at the airport.
If you break any of these rules you could get a fine of up to 100,000 New Zealand dollars or a prison sentence.
New Zealand has its own unique culture but shares much cultural common ground with the United Kingdom so you will find their culture very familiar and a bit of a home from home.
There are no particular health risks to be aware of in New Zealand. Have a look at our general guide to health issues when travelling and make sure you heed any general advice and precautions.
Weather changes can be sudden in New Zealand so when travelling please be aware of this. Whilst there are volcanoes on the island they are carefully monitored by the government so there is nothing for the traveller to worry about – if anything they are well worth a visit!
A lot of people go to New Zealand to participate in extreme sports which, putting aside the standard ‘thrill seeking’ and ‘adrenaline’ arguments, are the perfect way of throwing yourself (quite literally) into the environment. These may feel scary but are in fact perfectly safe as long as you listen to the instructions given to you. Just make sure you do your research and sign up with a reputable company with a proven safety record. If you take these basic precautions you’ll have an unforgettable experience in a unique environment without taking any unnecessary risks.
We do not recommend hiring motorbikes, scooters, ATV vehicles, quad bikes or other types of motorised vehicles whilst abroad. Safety and quality of vehicles vary considerably and the traffic conditions can be much more dangerous than what UK travellers are used to. Should you wish to go against this advice, you should ensure you are hiring from a reputable company and that your travel insurance covers you for such activities.
