Your Guide to New Zealand in Spring

There are a few significant reasons why exploring New Zealand during spring is ideal. The roads are in excellent condition for motorhome travel, the North and South Islands are bursting with gorgeous scenery, and the days are warm with more daylight for exploring.

You may encounter the odd rainy day, but you won't have to compete with the crowds of high season. Expect crisp, sunny days which can briskly change to cooler temperatures with spring showers. New Zealand has school holidays from late September to mid-October, so it pays to book well in advance if you're planning on travelling over this period.

Mountains and Hiking

Spring is the shoulder season between the ski-season and when summer officially kicks off, which means you can still enjoy some of New Zealand's ski fields. Ski or snowboard right through to late October if the snow is still in pristine condition. Due to the shoulder season, you can often find discounted mountain passes at this time too. Check out famous ski slopes like Mt Ruapehu, Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak or the Cardrona Alpine Resort in Queenstown. Hiking is perfect throughout the country as the temperatures are still cold, and some locations will still have snow. It's a little cooler, quieter, and you'll have most of the hiking trails to yourself. Visit the central plateau and roam around Tongariro National Park. It's not too hot to walk among the volcanoes and open terrain at this time of the year.

Spring Blooms

The countryside is bursting with fresh colour in spring, and a road trip throughout the country is the perfect way to stop and smell the flowers. In the North Island, you'll find incredible golden yellow blossoms as the Kowhai trees bloom and the tuis play about in the trees. The magnolias, daffodils and azaleas are blooming in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park. Lake Tekapo is so magical that it doesn't even look real! By late spring the lupins flower, and with the backdrop of the Southern Alps and the super blue lake, it truly is a majestic setting. Visit Dunedin, which at this time is painted with vibrant rhododendrons and pink magnolias.

Forests and Parks

Lush, green spaces bursting with new foliage are perfect escapes in spring, and New Zealand offers a multitude of experiences to get you back into nature. Visit Rotorua and take a walk through the treetops. New vegetation appearing is the best time to swing and zipline through the native forest. Grab a picnic and head to Cornwall Park in Auckland, one of the city's best public parks, featuring cosy cafes and home to sheep and lambs at certain times of the year.

Events and Festivals

With spring festivals popping up all over New Zealand, you'll have a jam-packed road trip hopping between each event. Check out Kaikoura's Seafest during October: with freshly caught delights, live music and wildlife watching there's plenty to keep you occupied. Hastings and Alexandra are both destinations which host Spring Festivals and the pink blooms of Nelson's Cherry Blossom Festival can't be missed. For those wanting less food and more movement, check out the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge in November. The picturesque shores of Lake Taupo are a treat during spring.

Adventure & Roadtrips

Start in Auckland and cruise the Pacific Coast Highway which will take you along the east coast beaches, through the Coromandel and further should you wish. Stop at Hot Water Beach and enjoy this picturesque part of New Zealand. For those seeking adventure, spring is perfect for South Island white water rafting as the country’s rivers swell with melted mountain snow. Check out the rapids on show at Rangitata River in Canterbury. Spring is ideal for visiting the nation’s most famous Lord of The Rings movie set: check out the blossoming bluebells at Hobbiton in Matamata. Hobbit Day is the 22nd of September, and The Shire comes to life with a jam-packed festival. Book early to reserve your spot in Middle Earth.

Spring in New Zealand is a particularly special time for campervan road trips. Thanks to the country's endless festivals, epic road trips and vibrant scenery at this time of year, there's plenty of variety. Soak up some sunshine at the beach, explore the famous hiking trails, sample local cuisine at a food festival or hit one of the many ski slopes. Travelling during spring is an ideal way to avoid the brisk winters and the busy summers in your motorhome hire.

When you're ready to visit New Zealand for the adventure of a lifetime, lock in your campervan rental and get ready for everything Aotearoa will offer.