Spring in New Zealand is probably the best time to travel! Everything is in full bloom and there aren’t as many tourists around as in summer. Use this opportunity to explore our country and enjoy all the unique activities and views that this season has to offer.
Spring cherry blossom in New Zealand
It’s already on, guys! And will end in the blink of an eye – the cherry blossom season is painfully short. So hurry up and witness the most magical moment of the year. There are quite a few great locations to admire sakura around the country. Without going too far away, you can always take a romantic pink snap at Greerton Village. But we would definitely recommend a short drive to the picturesque town of Cambridge in Waikato (don’t miss our detailed Cambridge travel guide) which literally basks in gorgeous pink trees. There’s no other place with so many cherry trees around! Hamilton Gardens is also pretty this time of the year.
Seal pups in Kaikoura
Kaikoura is an incredible destination for marine lovers all year round. There’s nowhere else that it’s as easy to spot so many seals, dolphins and whales! But it’s early spring when things get really crowded here. Migrating species of Southern Right, Humpback, Pilot and even Blue Whales can still be seen swimming around, while newborn seal pups, not yet strong enough to get into the water, spend the first few weeks or even months of their lives on the shore. Read more about things to do in Kaikoura.
Photo: Alex Spodyneiko
New Zealand waterfalls
When else to explore waterfalls, if not in spring, when frequent rains and melting snow from the mountains fill the rivers with so much water that some waterfalls look like they literally might explode! Spring in New Zealand is also known as the ‘waterfall season’ for good reason. Start with our local beauties – Kaiate Falls, McLarens Falls, Whataroa Falls, Raparapahoe Falls, William Wright Falls are all located in the Bay of Plenty (here are 50 more places to explore in the Bay at any time of the year). Waikato proudly hosts the tallest waterfall on the North Island, the 153m high Wairere Falls. Not to mention the gorgeous Bridal Veil Falls in Raglan, the powerful Huka Falls in Taupo or the multilevel Okere Falls in Rotorua. So many of them are hidden around just waiting to be discovered!
Photo: Alex Spodyneiko
New wine tasting in New Zealand
Spring is the best time to try new wines after the autumn harvest. Revisiting Hawke’s Bay a few times a year, we’re definitely a bit biased but for us, it’s the best destination for wine tours in New Zealand! Every November they celebrate the finest local producers and purveyors with a 10-day Hawke’s Bay Food and Wine Festival. The perfect excuse to escape your home town for a short pre-summer break! In fact, there are food and wine festivals all around the country in spring, with the nearest one, Taste of Auckland, happening on 31 October – 3 November.
Photo: Alex Spodyneiko
Lupins season at the South Island
Technically, colourful lupins flower from September til’ February but you’ll never go wrong with a visit to Lake Tekapo or Lake Wanaka in November. It’s the peak season and the fields on the South Island are covered in all shades of purple and pink. Areas around Lake Pukaki, along the Ahuriri River and near Twizel are great for lupin photo hunting as well.
Photo: Peter Hammer