Know Before You Go | New Zealand
Whether you're preparing for your upcoming New Zealand Adventure or just want to learn more about the scenic splendors of this alluring island, we've got you covered. We've rounded up an array of useful resources, from wildlife guides and packing tips to compelling first-hand accounts written by Nat Hab travelers and staff.
Travel Tips
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Wildlife Guide
Wildlife Guide
Learn about kiwis, yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals and more wildlife you'll encounter on your New Zealand adventure.
Photo Departures Available
New Zealand Nature Trivia
New Zealand Nature Trivia
Take our quiz to put your knowledge to the test, then share it with friends to see who knows the most about New Zealand's natural wonders!
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Weather & Climate
Weather & Climate
Find out what the typical weather conditions in New Zealand in this month by month breakdown of average temperatures and precipitation.
Photo Departures Available
Packing List
Packing List
We’ve made a comprehensive list of all the clothing and gear you’ll want to pack so you'll be well prepared for your New Zealand trip.
Photo Departures Available
Travel Stories & Articles
Go With the Glow: Bioluminescent Animals and Where to Find Them
Go With the Glow: Bioluminescent Animals and Where to Find Them
—By Jon Jared
During Nat Hab trips to Southern Australia and Tasmania and New Zealand, bioluminescent animals and out-of-this-world locations seldom fail to impress.
During Nat Hab trips to Southern Australia and Tasmania and New Zealand, bioluminescent animals and out-of-this-world locations seldom fail to impress.
Photo Departures Available
The Sapphire Lakes of New Zealand’s South Island
The Sapphire Lakes of New Zealand’s South Island
—By Laura Kiniry
Nat Hab’s New Zealand Nature Explorer takes travelers to more than a handful of sapphire beauts to experience endemic wildlife, incredible vistas, and activities from kayaking to guided night hikes.
Nat Hab’s New Zealand Nature Explorer takes travelers to more than a handful of sapphire beauts to experience endemic wildlife, incredible vistas, and activities from kayaking to guided night hikes.
Photo Departures Available
Magical Encounters in New Zealand’s Lake Moeraki: Kea, Penguins, Glowworms and More
Magical Encounters in New Zealand’s Lake Moeraki: Kea, Penguins, Glowworms and More
—By Samantha Miller
Visit Lake Moeraki, and witness the movements of some of the world’s rarest species. This is a destination for nature lovers, active travelers and anyone seeking wild New Zealand!
Visit Lake Moeraki, and witness the movements of some of the world’s rarest species. This is a destination for nature lovers, active travelers and anyone seeking wild New Zealand!
Photo Departures Available
In the Land of Glowing Skies: Kiwi Conservation in New Zealand
In the Land of Glowing Skies: Kiwi Conservation in New Zealand
—By Cathy Brown
Despite being an internationally recognized icon, the kiwi is now at very real risk of disappearing from the wild within a few centuries.
Despite being an internationally recognized icon, the kiwi is now at very real risk of disappearing from the wild within a few centuries.
Photo Departures Available
How to Spend a Dozen Days on New Zealand’s South Island
How to Spend a Dozen Days on New Zealand’s South Island
—By Laura Kiniry
New Zealand's South Island invigorates with untamed wilderness, including remote rainforests, pancake rock formations, and magnificent fiordlands.
New Zealand's South Island invigorates with untamed wilderness, including remote rainforests, pancake rock formations, and magnificent fiordlands.
Photo Departures Available
New Zealand Grants Mountains, Parks and Rivers Personhood
New Zealand Grants Mountains, Parks and Rivers Personhood
—By Candice Gaukel Andrews
Maori tribes say that the Whanganui River was born when a teardrop from the eye of the Sky Father fell at the foot of the tallest of the mountains, Ruapehu.
Maori tribes say that the Whanganui River was born when a teardrop from the eye of the Sky Father fell at the foot of the tallest of the mountains, Ruapehu.
Photo Departures Available
Video: The New Zealand Wilds
Video: The New Zealand Wilds
—By Candice Gaukel Andrews
Watch this short film to journey through the nation’s South Island, from the dry highlands and grassy plains of the Canterbury region in the east to the lush rain forests, rugged coastlines and high peaks of the Southern Alps in the west.
Watch this short film to journey through the nation’s South Island, from the dry highlands and grassy plains of the Canterbury region in the east to the lush rain forests, rugged coastlines and high peaks of the Southern Alps in the west.
Photo Departures Available
Videos: The Penguin Paths of New Zealand
Videos: The Penguin Paths of New Zealand
—By Candice Gaukel Andrews
Little blue penguins that live in the tiny town of Oamaru, New Zealand use a “penguin tunnel”—an 80-foot underpass—created with the help of some human friends.
Little blue penguins that live in the tiny town of Oamaru, New Zealand use a “penguin tunnel”—an 80-foot underpass—created with the help of some human friends.
Photo Departures Available
Te Ika Nui in Milford Sound, New Zealand
Te Ika Nui in Milford Sound, New Zealand
—By Olaf Malver
Milford Sound, or Piopiotahi in Maori, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Milford Sound, or Piopiotahi in Maori, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Photo Departures Available
8 Rain Forest Ecotourism Adventures
8 Rain Forest Ecotourism Adventures
—By Cathy Brown
To start you daydreaming about your next nature getaway, we’ve compiled eight of our favorite rain forest destinations.
To start you daydreaming about your next nature getaway, we’ve compiled eight of our favorite rain forest destinations.
Photo Departures Available
World Rainforest Day
World Rainforest Day
—By Megan Brief
Established in 2017 by Rainforest Partnership, World Rainforest Day recognizes forests as one of the most powerful and cost-effective climate change mitigation tools we have.
Established in 2017 by Rainforest Partnership, World Rainforest Day recognizes forests as one of the most powerful and cost-effective climate change mitigation tools we have.
Photo Departures Available
Nat Hab’s Australia and New Zealand Adventure Director Runs Trips and Races
Nat Hab’s Australia and New Zealand Adventure Director Runs Trips and Races
—By Joel Centano
Check out this thrilling interview with Nat Hab's Adventure Director Emily Kleinburd.
Check out this thrilling interview with Nat Hab's Adventure Director Emily Kleinburd.
Photo Departures Available
New Zealand: Immerse Yourself in the Scenic Wonders of the South Island
New Zealand: Immerse Yourself in the Scenic Wonders of the South Island
—Natural Habitat Adventures
If you’re a Tolkien fan, you might know it as Middle-Earth. For nature travelers, it’s called New Zealand. And there’s no better way to experience it than on our itinerary...
If you’re a Tolkien fan, you might know it as Middle-Earth. For nature travelers, it’s called New Zealand. And there’s no better way to experience it than on our itinerary...
Photo Departures Available
Know Before You Go
