Are your clients looking for inspiration on where to go for their winter getaway for this year? Read along to discover what they can discover in Aotearoa New Zealand – just three hours away! Offering world-class wine, food, adventure, and wellness activities that shake the winter blues before they settle in. Help your clients enjoy winter this year; plus, take a self-famil!
Why hide when you can thrive? When you can soak in thermal springs that remind you what it’s like to be alive. To ride scenic trains through—or soar above—a wintery landscape so pristine it feels like a fairytale. To know that winter across the ditch isn’t only for skiers and snowboarders (though they are, of course, still welcome).
Pose these questions to your clients thinking of “having a quiet one” this winter. Haven’t you heard? Rotting on the couch is out, and making the most of every moment is in!
Winter need-to-knows
Sure, the warmth of winter can be increased by cranking up the heater or slow cooking a stew, but it’s far better to bask in the warm embrace that manuhiri (visitors) to Aotearoa New Zealand receive when they are welcomed as whānau (family). It’s a different kind of warmth, lasting long after the temperatures turn.
Here’s what you need to know about winter travel to New Zealand:
- The season runs from June to August, when the snow-capped mountains look their prettiest, and the top temperatures range from 10-15 °C (this varies, check out this winter infographic).
- The wintery skies are typically crisp and clear, perfect for stargazing.
- New Zealand’s abundant geothermal waters are ideal for winter.
- Enjoy a warm hāngī (earth oven) meal, with seasonal vegetables and protein.
- Crayfish, blue cod, and green-lipped mussels are in season, with winter temperatures providing ideal conditions for fresh, delicious seafood dishes.
- Visitors in 2025 can enjoy Matariki (Māori New Year) in late June, with celebrations across the country.
Choose a winter theme
Everyone knows that New Zealand’s snow season is top-notch, but what else can your clients do while visiting the neighbours?
Seeking ski & snow
Aotearoa New Zealand is an idyllic place for ski and snowboard lovers, with ample adventure and après ski across the country’s 29 ski resorts. Each is close to major towns and cities for maximum fun on and off the slopes.
Across the country (motu), it’s easy to find a cosy spot to dine; many serve local produce in a setting that dials up the ‘idyllic winter holiday’ vibes (cosy fireplace, anyone?). Like Powderkeg Restaurant and Bar in Ohakune, near Ruapehu.
Other noteworthy winter activities include guided heli-hike trips and ice climbing with the legends at Fox Glacier Guiding.
Maybe a thrilling & awe-inspiring Milford Sound Scenic Flight over the striking winter landscape from Queenstown, Central Otago’s’ backcountry, across the mesmerising Milford Sound is more your clients cup of tea!
Plus, in exciting news for the 2025 ski season, Cardrona Alpine Resort, based in Wānaka on New Zealand’s South Island, is set to open their new SOHO extension, adding 150 extra hectares of ski terrain for ski and snowboarding enthusiasts to carve up.
Expert tip: School holiday travel (June) is popular; pre-book accommodation, transport, and activities.
Seeking wellness & rejuvenation
The inviting rising steam from 100 thermal springs, pools, and spas across Aotearoa New Zealand says winter is an ideal time to check them out.
In Rotorua, Hell’s Gate‘s famous mud baths offer a rejuvenating spot to warm up and nourish the dreaded wintery dry skin.
For a peaceful retreat under the stars with native birdsong for an alarm clock and the spectacular King Country views for company, Waitomo’s new Matū PurePod is heavenly.
In Māori culture connecting to the whenua (land) is an important part of wellbeing. Something your clients can enjoy firsthand on immersive Rakiura Stewart Island tours. To spot the tokoeka (southern brown kiwi), recommend your clients book this evening tour with Ruggedy Range.
Seeking stargazing & dark skies
With its goal to become a certified ‘Dark Sky Nation’ this year, there’s no better place to spot the galaxy than Aotearoa New Zealand.
Just south of Rotorua, Te Pā Tū offers a unique winter evening experience. Through storytelling, connection, and a 4-course Māori fusion menu, Tū Te Ihi celebrates the rising of the Matariki cluster (Pleiades) in the sky to mark Māori New Year.
Good Heavens stargazing offers a remote must-do experience on Aotea Great Barrier Island. Only half an hour by plane from Auckland, guests can both marvel at the stars and learn interesting facts and stories about them.
For a South Island dark sky getaway, book your clients at Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses, only 30 minutes from Kaikōura. The private hot tub, cosy fireplace, and forest and beach trails surrounding the lodge make this a dreamy winter stay.
Explore New Zealand on a self-famil
If you seek experiences like these, consider signing up for the Explore New Zealand Self-Famil Discount Programme
Following each of the below steps is not only great for product updates plus all the latest news, it’ll also meet the Explore Programme eligibility criteria!
- Complete Tourism New Zealand’s 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Programme to achieve your Graduate New Zealand Specialist status
- Sign up for the Trade Newsletter
- And join the Tourism New Zealand agent Facebook Group
When you’ve checked off these three things, you’ll have access to over 400 discounts across 25 regions to plan the ultimate winter self-famil. What better way to build your confidence in selling Aotearoa New Zealand, than at your own pace with your favourite people for company?
Discover more
Visit Tourism New Zealand’s Travel Trade website to access downloadable resources (including ski resort factsheets), videos, itineraries, and an abundance of inspiration to plan your client’s winter wonderland vacation.
This article is brought to you by Tourism New Zealand.
