20 best things to do during New Zealand summer

New Zealand summer. Not much needs to be said, because yes, it’s pretty much the paradise you imagine it to be. Cicadas chirp, leaves flutter in the gentle breeze, the smell of freshly cut grass lingers in the air, and the ocean welcomes you at all hours of the day. Imagine yourself photosynthesising in absolute peace, whether it be by one of the serene South Island lakes, or the plethora of beaches up North. Just be prepared to take some sand home with you. It. gets. Everywhere. 

Let’s get into the top 20 things you should be ticking off while here.

1. Road trip

Whether you find yourself in the North Island or the South, the unequivocal number one summer activity is to find a car and jump in it (preferably yours). Take the scenic route, get lost, see what you find! You aren’t in New Zealand for the cities after all, it’s all about the extra-curriculars. One day’s driving from Auckland could easily land you in the Bay of Islands to the north or Tauranga, Rotorua, and Taupō to the South. 

Car hire, insurance, and drivers licensing all sound a bit overwhelming? Why not skip the headache and hop on a Contiki! There are options that span the full length of the country, or shorter North and South Island specific adventures to suit your Contiki appetite. 

2. Learn to surf

I get it. It’s one of those things you always said you would do. But you don’t come from a surfing family, and none of your friends do it. Well what better way to change the narrative than to learn how on your Aotearoa adventure! 

There is good surfing all over the country, but for beginners the Bay of Plenty is a good port of call. Tauranga and Mount Maunganui are home to some of the best and most accessible water in the North Island. With plenty of surf schools to choose from, temperatures in the high 20s, and an abundant surfing community, there really is no excuse! 

3. Kayak

Invented by the Inuit, adopted by the Europeans, and loved by the Kiwi. Kayaking is the perfect water-based activity for landlubbers like you, with a low barrier to entry and required skill set. New Zealand beaches are full of kayak hire and tour offerings during the summer, negating the need to front up thousands for your own one. Better yet, find 20 other adventurers to hire one with you in the Bay of Islands on the Contiki Northern Choice trip! 

The Bay of Islands has to be one of the best places in the country to go kayaking, with warm weather, pristine waters, and abundant sea life to keep things interesting. Keep an eye out for dolphins, orcas and whales! Take a tour if you’re not familiar with the water, otherwise you can embark on your own self guided adventure. See if you can make it to Urupukapuka Island and back (safely though, please). 

4. Enjoy real fruit ice cream

If you think you’ve experienced pure ecstasy, think again. Imagine a soft serve, except mixed with fresh New Zealand summer fruits, swirled perfectly into a waffle cone, just for you. Just for you? Yes. Believe me, you won’t want to share this one. I spent a 3 month Euro summer dreaming of these bad boys. Nothing stacks up.

If you know where to look, these can be purchased in both the North and South Islands over the summer months. Keep an eye out for roadside signs, particularly in the Bay of Plenty and Central Otago. My personal favourite is a frozen yoghurt base with raspberry and boysenberry. You are welcome. 

5. Take a hike

New Zealand is known as the Land of the Long White Cloud, but it really should be the Land of nothing wants to kill you, unlike our neighbours over the ditch. This, combined with our dramatic mountain ranges and lush forests, makes New Zealand a veritable hiking and camping Mecca. 

The North Island is home to many beachside day walks north of Auckland, old growth native forests in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, as well as the arid landscape and volcanoes of the Central Plateau. All are perfect for summer adventures, either for single or multi-day excursions. 

The South Island holds infinite opportunities for both long and short hikes. From the remote beaches of Nelson and Marlborough, down to the lowest depths of the Southern Alps, untouched natural beauty awaits. Personally, I would make a start in Queenstown and Wānaka, and work your way out from there. From the wild, rugged West Coast, To Nelson and Marlborough, you are sure to have your hands full. 

6. Go to a festival

Summer marks the official start of the Festy season in New Zealand, with some of the best local and international acts taking to the stage. Rhythm and Vines overtakes Gisborne during the New Year period, Rhythm and Alps being its southern counterpart in Wānaka. 

These are some of the largest, but don’t dismiss others like Northern Bass for a bit of drum and bass, or Le Currents or Coro Classic for a bit more of a surf rock vibe. Many many more run between December and March in all corners of Aotearoa, so don’t miss out! There are so many memories to be made and blurry nights to be had. 

7. Mountain biking in the Rotorua Redwoods

If you’re after a little bit of adrenaline, try your hand at some mountain biking! Better yet, why not do it through hundred-year-old Redwoods that tower over you as you ride? Rotorua is widely known as one of the world’s best destinations for mountain biking aficionados, its trails winding through prolific native bush and weaving between the trunks of towering giants. 

California Redwoods were planted here a century or so ago when European settlers figured out how good the soil was and wanted to see what would grow best! They ran with Pine in the end, but the Redwoods remain, beautiful sentinels standing peacefully in the cool green forests, just for you to crash into and curse at. Crankworx is hosted there every year, well established as the world’s preeminent Mountain biking festival.

Heading south? Try the Queen Charlotte Track or the Heaphy Mountain Biking Trail in the upper South Island region. 

8. Learn to scuba dive

New Zealand waters are teeming with diverse marine life, from spiky little kina through to orcas, native dolphins, stingray, and yes – sharks. If you have any desire to hop in the water and explore a truly foreign and exciting world, there are far worse places than here. White sandy beaches, picturesque kiwi seaside towns, an ice cream screaming out your name in the late afternoon. 

Generally speaking, the further north you are, the warmer the waters. Places such as Poor Knights Island, Goat Island, Great barrier Island, and the Bay of Islands are ideal starting points. Diving operators are well established in these areas, giving you the peace of mind to relax and enjoy our beautiful waters in a safe environment. 

If for some reason you have always wanted to go shark cage diving, we have that too! The Foveaux Strait between the South Island and Stewart Island is a migration path for Great Whites, and also home to the Mako and other big scaries. Enter at your own risk. 

9. Hop on an ocean safari

Love the ocean and all its wonderful creatures, but prefer to stay high and dry? An ocean safari might hold all your answers. Kaikōura, a small coastal town in the South Island, is home to some of the best whale watching in the world. Get up close and personal with sperm whales, rare and endangered native dolphins, and playful fur seals gallivanting around. New Zealand Panorama will take you through on your way south! 

If you aren’t heading that far south, try the Bay of Islands, Coromandel, or Bay of Plenty for your fill of ocean action! 

10. Eat fish and chips

If you’d rather eat sea life than look at it, try some of this! Fish and chips, or “fush and chups” from those with a thick Kiwi accent, is a tried and true summer time staple in New Zealand. While it may seem simple from the surface, it’s something of an art form, and tailored to the individual. Tomato or tartare sauce? Do I get a drink too? How many chips do I need? Should I try whitebait?  

It all depends on your appetite, but for two people the following is a safe bet: 2 fish, 1 scoop of chips, tomato sauce, and a drink of choice. Pair it with a beer or a can of your favourite soda (try L&P if you haven’t yet). You can spice it up with additional extras, such as a pineapple fritter, battered mussels, or a paua fritter. Oh and it’s probably a good idea to go for a walk after, it’s pretty heavy stuff. 

11. Complete a Great Walk

Speaking of walks, why not complete a great one? The New Zealand Great Walks are the finest we have on offer, with infrastructure to get you in and out, and the option of staying in back country huts or tents. You need to book in advance for these multi-day adventures, the Milford track being the most famous and often selling out in minutes. See the Department of Conservation website to book. Track transportation packages are booked separately with independent companies. You can also generally drive to the start point and get picked up at the end and shuttled back to your car. 

Which one do you do? The Abel Tasman in the Nelson region would be my number one summertime pick, featuring impossibly blue waters, warm weather, and campsites right by the beach. It truly is an incredible experience, filled with native bird life, opportunities to swim at the end of every day, and plenty of friendly people on the track to meet. You have the option to start in Mārahau at the southern end, or Wainiu Bay at the north. You can kayak, walk, or just do small portions, the ball is in your court! Great Walks are very achievable, and a great way to fall in love with hiking and camping in New Zealand. 

Too much admin? Do part of the Routeburn on Contiki with Active New Zealand! 

12. Horse trek

Horses are pretty damn cool. They’re big, strong, majestic, and speedy. They are living proof you can get shredded on a vegan diet and a little bit of work. We relied on them to do the hard yards for aeons, then invented the internal combustion engine and made them all unemployed. 

Now, interacting with horses is something of a novelty. Luckily for you, there are plenty of places for you to doing some riding in. Blue Duck Station, in the Ruapehu District, is a one stop shop for horsing around. You, a horse, the serene-yet-dramatic New Zealand landscape – need I say more? Half day rides are for the less experienced, with multi-day options for those a bit more broken in. How do I get there? With Contiki of course! The Real New Zealand trip will take you right there.

13. Cycle trails

More accustomed to a different kind of saddle? Try out one of our cycle trails! Long distance cycle trails and mountain biking are not to be confused. Whilst some of our great trails are mountain biking, the two aren’t mutually exclusive. There are 23 Great Rides of New Zealand, peppered across the country. Ranging from single days to multi-day extravaganzas, there is bound to be one to suit your taste and budget. See our old growth, ancient forests, dramatic mountain ranges, and grassy plains at an express pace!

The Central Otago Rail Trail is a picturesque and achievable intro to multi day cycling, with easy riding and lots of epic views. Central Otago is also the perfect place to tie in some of the other activities discussed in this article. 

14. Glamping

Camping sounds nice in theory. You get back in touch with nature and see the great outdoors. You can lie in the cool grass and gaze at the clearest night skies you have ever seen. However for some, the stark reality of sleeping on a rock next to someone who hasn’t showered in two days can be a little too much. If you think that might be you, glamping might be the solution!

With glamping, you can still relax and unwind with your phone on aeroplane mode, but with the added comforts of a real bed, walls to keep you cosy, maybe even a hot shower! Ranging from secluded cabins near Auckland right through to geodesic domes in Otago, the sky really is the limit. Tailor it to a romantic getaway, wholesome friends trip, or family vacation – just leave the Wonderwall-playing-guitar-guy at home. If you don’t know one it’s probably you, sorry pal. 

15. Travel back in time

What? Yes, you heard me. Every year in February, the east coast town of Napier transforms into a 1930s wonderland. Thousands of people dress up like it’s still the ‘30s, vintage cars line the streets, and the sound of jazz fills the night. Napier is home to New Zealand’s best preserved collection of Art Deco Architecture, which serves as an immersive backdrop to the festival, and what I can only assume is the inspiration for it! It might sound a bit odd, but life really is too short so shake off the cobwebs and unleash your inner flapper! Who knows, old school dress up might just become your new thing. 

If you’re not quite up for it but find yourself in Napier, there are plenty of vineyards in the region to keep you occupied! 

16. Take a wine tour

New Zealand is renowned for its top notch wines. The Hawkes Bay, Marlborough, and Central Otago regions being some of the most prominent. Like glamping, this can be done with a partner, friends, or family (over 18s of course). And organised wine tours are available to cart you from vineyard to vineyard.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, there’s a few simple things you can do to seem more sophisticated and at least look the part of a wine connoisseur. Hold the glass by the stem, swirl it, sniff it and nod in appreciation, then take little sips. Drop in a few lines like “rather dry don’t you think?” or “hmm, fruity notes” and you’ll be away. Also wear linen and the biggest hat you own. 

17. Bungee jump or skydive

Fortunately for you, every major destination in New Zealand offers skydiving. You can plummet towards the earth looking at any landmark of your choosing. Taupo and Mount Maunganui are arguably the most picturesque North Island locations, while Wānaka and Queenstown have views that are pretty hard to argue with. Regardless of where you decide to take the leap, you’ll have a blast I’m sure. Saying you skydived on your New Zealand holiday is next level party chat. 

Alternatively, but just as scarily, you can visit the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping! The AJ Hackett bungy jump over Kawarau Bridge is iconic, and guaranteed to make the instagram cut. How often does the opportunity present itself to literally jump off a bridge (for fun)? Do it with a crowd cheering you on during the Sweet as South!

18. Drive along the beach

You, your friends, an open topped Jeep in the evening sun. Cold drinks in the back, tents and equipment filling the boot to the brim, smiles all around. This could be you, driving along a secluded northern beach with a bad sunburn and country music blaring from the speakers. 

Ninety Mile Beach lies about a 5-hour drive from Auckland, and is famously only 55 Miles long. The beach is officially a public highway, and ends about 10km short of Cape Reinga, the tippy top of Aotearoa! If you aren’t living out your New Zealand dream here, you’re missing out just a little. There’s even a sand dune you can roll down. C’mon. 

19. Go white water rafting

Conquer your fears and become one with the river while on your Kiwi adventure! Summer is the perfect time to do it, as you wont be near hypothermic and need to soak in the spa for 2 hours afterwards (I’m being dramatic, winter is fine too). 

Kaituna River white water rafting is a great and easily accessible option near Rotorua, with the tallest commercially rafted waterfall in the world at 7m. A little bit sceptical? Go on Contiki and convince your new friends to come down too! 

If that’s not extreme enough, give blackwater rafting a go through the pitch black Waitomo caves! 

20. Cultural immersion

While New Zealand is not an old country, we have over 500 hundred years of Indigenous history in Aotearoa. Māori culture is rich and varied, with beautiful traditions and customs worth seeing and experiencing. On Contiki, you will have the unique opportunities to visit Waitangi in the north and Rotorua further south, both containing cultural significance and rich history. Take the opportunity to engage and indulge in a traditional culture you truly can’t see anywhere else in the world. It is bound to enhance and enrich your Aotearoa experience!

As you can see, there is more to do in New Zealand than you can hope to fit into one summer, but please do try your best! This adventure wonderland truly is unlike any other. Let this list serve as an initial guide, and remember to take the scenic route!