Christmas & New Year Tours in New Zealand
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10 best Christmas & New Year New Zealand tour packages
Compiled by
SteffNew Zealand travel expert at TourRadar
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- 【New Zealand】13 Days New Zealand Grand North and South Island Tour Package
Visit Christchurch's festive Botanic Gardens and Queenstown's holiday attractions this season. Marvel at summer views from Lake Tekapo's Church of the Good Shepherd, plus seasonal activities at Franz Josef Glacier. Includes 9 breakfasts and 2 special holiday dinners.
Duration 10 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Ohau, Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Greymouth Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $6,145
20% Off- NZ$4,916You save $1,229
New Zealand's North to South Island Adventure
73 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“A well planned out tour giving a rich experience. This is it!!!!!!”
Arjan, traveled in November
Duration 11 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Rotorua, Murupara, Taupo, Wellington, Marlborough, Kaikoura, Christchurch Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $3,635
25% Off- NZ$2,726You save $909
Marvel at Milford Sound's summer waterfalls and Cape Foulwind's seal colony viewing this season. Special holiday experiences include glow worm cave tours in Te Anau and festive dining overlooking Lake Wakatipu. Welcome the New Year among The Remarkables mountain range.
Duration 12 days Destinations Christchurch, Westport, Punakaiki, Kumara, Hokitika, Fox Glacier, Wanaka, Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford SoundSee all destinations Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
25% Off- NZ$7,340
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Dunedin, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Franz Josef Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Across Caribbean Excursions From
25% Off- NZ$4,841
Highlights of New Zealand
43 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Would recommend the trip to anyone and our CEO was excellent.”
Emily, traveled in October
Toast the holidays with December departures featuring festive experiences across New Zealand. Savor traditional hangi feasts in Rotorua, celebrate the season in Queenstown, and join summer activities in Franz Josef and Mount Cook. Perfect timing for peak season exploration.
Duration 15 days Destinations Auckland, Hahei, Rotorua, Wellington, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Milford Sound Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $8,059
10% Off- NZ$7,253You save $806
Welcome the festive season with Christmas shopping at Christchurch's Riverside Market and New Year's in Queenstown's vibrant center. Special holiday experiences include Milford Sound cruise and seasonal menus at Grand Millennium Auckland.
Duration 14 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, Arthur's Pass National Park, Queenstown, Milford Sound Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Australia and New Zealand Travel Company From
10% Off- NZ$6,858
Summer highlights await, from digging hot pools at Hot Water Beach to witnessing Pohutu Geyser in Rotorua. Join festive hangi feasts, visit Hobbiton Movie Set, and enjoy Wellington's vibrant cultural scene during peak season.
Duration 10 days Destinations Auckland, Coromandel, Raglan, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Tongariro National Park, Wellington Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $5,390
20% Off- NZ$4,312You save $1,078
Ring in the holidays with summer adventures from Auckland to Queenstown. Bask in Christmas near The Remarkables, admire seasonal lupines at Lake Tekapo, and watch marine wildlife in Kaikoura. Includes Secret Spot Hot Tubs in Rotorua and luxury stays with 5-star accommodation in Lake Tekapo.
Duration 14 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Blenheim, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Wanaka, Queenstown Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Vio Travel From $5,269
5% Off- NZ$5,005You save $263
Duration 8 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Abel Tasman National Park, Hanmer Springs Age Range Ages 18-49 Operator Kiwi Experience From
5% Off- NZ$1,749
【New Zealand】13 Days New Zealand Grand North and South Island Tour Package
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Was great and delightful tours organised very well.”
Madireddy, traveled in May
The 50+ festive December tours highlight New Zealand's summer charm, from Hobbiton Movie Set's magical atmosphere to celebration-ready Queenstown. Christmas comes alive in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park with glacier adventures, while New Year's in the Southern Alps features special holiday meals.
Duration 13 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Coromandel, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Mount Cook, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Christchurch Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Delightful Travel From
5% Off- NZ$7,268
What people love about Christmas & New Year Tours in New Zealand
- Highlights of New Zealand
Excellent whirlwind tour of New Zealand showcasing its natural beauty, history, and friendly people. We packed so much into 15 days and made so many fun memories along the way. Lots of optional activities mean you can make the tour your own whether you prefer adrenaline-fueled adventure or relaxation.
- New Zealand: Sweet As South (Westbound)
Trip was good overall. EVERYTHING was practically an add on so budget at least $1600 extra and the guide was not the best.
- New Zealand's North to South Island Adventure
We went on a seven day tour of the North Island of New Zealand. My husband and I have never been on a bus tour like this, but Haka Tours far exceeded all of our expectations. It was a fantastic road trip through a beautiful landscape with strangers who quickly became our friends. We really like the concept behind Haka Tours, and our tour guides, Katie and Si, were both excellent. They were super friendly and extremely knowledgeable! Haka took care of getting us from place to place and chose the accommodations, but each person in our group had a lot of freedom in deciding what they wanted to do at each of the places where we traveled. Since we were on a bus with a small group of people that allowed us to get to know each other, and on some days we all chose the same activities. On other days, we would split up and some of us would do one thing while others chose to do something else. Throughout the tour, we stayed at hostels, which were not super luxurious, but all of them were very comfortable and clean. At each place, Katie and Si gave us a choice of activities that we could do on the given day. They made sure that we all got to do what we wanted, so if there was any specific activity that one of us wanted to do that was not mentioned, they made sure that they could accommodate all of us. We got to do a lot of activities and enjoyed all of them. We went sea kayaking in Coromandel and black water rafting through a cave in Waitomo; we got to see and walk around the Hobbiton set; we soaked in a natural hot spring; and we went on a couple of bushwalks where we got to see some amazing scenery. We also spend an evening learning about Maori culture in Rotorua and we got to make our own souvenir tiki pendant out of bone. We loved every day on our tour and would gladly do it again. NZ is absolutely stunning and Haka Tours is the best tour you can take to see it. A big THANK YOU to Katie and Si for making sure we enjoyed every minute of our trip! We can't wait to come back to see the South Island!
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours in New Zealand
When is the best time to book a Christmas & New Year tour in New Zealand?
Planning ahead is crucial for New Zealand's festive season. Book your tour 6-8 months before departure to secure spots at popular destinations like Queenstown Milford Sound and Franz Josef Glacier. December marks the peak of summer tourism with limited availability across most destinations. One TourRadar traveler noted "Make all certain that activities and accommodations are included and confirmed well in advance especially around the holiday season when availability can be limited."
What special Christmas & New Year activities are included in New Zealand tours?
The holiday season in New Zealand combines traditional festivities with local culture. Visitors can join hangi dinners at Te Puia in Rotorua watch New Year's Eve fireworks in Auckland or Queenstown and take holiday cruises on Milford Sound. Premium accommodations like the Hermitage Hotel in Mount Cook and Novotel in Queenstown prepare special Christmas meals. According to a TourRadar traveler "The TSS Earnslaw cruise on Lake Wakatipu offers magical evening celebrations during the holiday season."
What are the must-see destinations for Christmas & New Year in New Zealand?
Key holiday destinations start with Queenstown's New Year celebrations and extend to Milford Sound's Christmas cruises. Rotorua offers Christmas experiences with Maori communities while Franz Josef Glacier provides summer ice explorations. Wellington's Te Papa Museum and Auckland's harbor feature holiday programs throughout the season. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Spending Christmas Day cruising Milford Sound and New Year's Eve in Queenstown's buzzing atmosphere was absolutely magical."
What's the weather like during Christmas & New Year in New Zealand?
New Zealand's summer coincides with the holiday season creating ideal conditions for outdoor celebrations. Queenstown experiences temperatures of 20-25°C with daylight lasting until 9pm. The Bay of Islands sees warmer weather around 25-28°C perfect for swimming while Rotorua maintains comfortable temperatures of 22-24°C. One TourRadar traveler noted: "The weather was beautiful the people were really nice and the scenery was amazing during the holiday season."
Where are the best places to stay during Christmas & New Year in New Zealand?
Holiday accommodations range from mountain retreats to waterfront hotels. The Scenic Hotel in Franz Josef provides mountain views while the Heritage Queenstown overlooks Lake Wakatipu. Urban options include the Cordis Auckland and InterContinental Wellington with special holiday packages. A TourRadar traveler commented: "Staying at the Heritage Queenstown over New Year's was perfect - we had an amazing view of the fireworks over the lake from our balcony."
How much should I budget for a Christmas & New Year tour in New Zealand?
Ten to fourteen-day tours during the holiday season cost between USD 2500-6500 per person. This covers stays at properties like Quest Queenstown or Ramada Suites plus transportation and guided activities. Extra expenses include optional activities ($150-300 each) daily meals ($50-100) and New Year's Eve events. A TourRadar traveler advised "Budget extra for this period as many restaurants and activities have special holiday pricing."
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