Tailor-made Holidays

A Silver Fern tailor-made holiday is a holiday designed entirely around you. Our friendly, experienced team will work with you to understand where in New Zealand you’re most interested in visiting and then plan a holiday itinerary that’s perfect for you. Of course, we’ll also use our extensive knowledge of New Zealand to suggest some hidden gems along the way that we think you’ll love, which you may wish to include – ensuring you have a truly unforgettable trip.

Ideally you should plan for three to four weeks in New Zealand if you wish to see most of the highlights at a sensible pace.

Bear in mind New Zealand is the same size as the U.K and you don’t want to be constantly on the move.

If you are restricted by time, consider an internal flight, Rotorua to Nelson, Christchurch or Queenstown or vice versa would be a good option.

Unless you are travelling Business Class and find it easy to sleep on a plane, we would suggest a stopover in one of the main gateways; our favourite at present, being Singapore.

It is a long way to travel (23/24 Hours) and it makes sense to have a break en route to refresh before the next journey.

Besides, you also have the opportunity to explore another culture.

If you are stopping over in a destination en route to New Zealand, you will need complete any forms or visa requirements for that country. For example:
Singapore: eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/
USA: esta.cbp.dhs.gov
Australia: e-visa.co.uk/australia

You can visit New Zealand any time of the year, it depends on what you are looking for.

Remember the seasons are reversed from the Northern Hemisphere:

The Spring months of September through November offer temperatures of 16-19ºC, a time to see wild lupins flower around Lake Tekapo and hear the song of the bellbird in the bush. Snow is still on the tops of the higher mountains and there are fewer tourists on the road than during the Summer months.

Our suggestion would be to avoid the Christmas / New Year periods, unless you ae visiting relatives. Kiwis are on holiday and some centres and resorts can be congested. Try to commence your trip later in January.

December to the end February are the main Summer months. The Pohutukawa trees are in full bloom, an ideal time for swimming, kayaking or hiking the trails. There is a festival in every town. Do remember to book ahead.

As you approach the end of March into May temperatures will drop slightly to 16-18ºC as New Zealand moves into the Autumn months. Drive up to Arrowtown or around Lake Wakatipu for fabulous “fall” colour.

The Winter season takes off in late July and August when skiing the Remarkables in Queenstown or on the slopes of Tongariro are popular activities. Average Temperatures are around 8-12ºC.

You most certainly do.

There is a mandatory requirement for British passport holders to obtain an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) when travelling to New Zealand. You will need your passport, a credit card, a photo of your face and an email address (you can only apply for one person at a time). It costs $23 NZD or $17.00 to do so on their app to obtain an NZeTA.

You must also pay an IVL, which funds tourism infrastructure and helps protect New Zealand’s natural environment. You pay the IVL at the same time as you request your NZeTA. The IVL costs NZD $100 when you apply online at nzeta.immigration.govt.nz

Allow up to 72 hours for it to be processed. Your NZeTA is valid for up to 2 years.

You will need as a British passport holder at least 6 months validity on your passport. However, this varies according to nationality. Please go to www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the minimum period of validity required on your passport.

New Zealand customs regulations are very strict in relation to items that may bring agricultural diseases and pests into the country.

You should declare any food items and ensure that walking boots or shoes are clean.
If you are unsure about whether you are carrying anything which would infringe customs rules, do ask a customs official before you pass through bio security.

There are fines for non-compliance with regulations.

It’s more a case of what not to pack – you can leave the Tiaira and top hat behind as you’ll discover New Zealanders prefer a laid-back approach to life which is reflected in their casual dress even in the smartest restaurants.

The secret is to dress in layers and think shorts, slacks, light trousers and tee shirts or polo shirts. You will need a light rain jacket for that rain on the West coast of the South Island and you should take a fleece or jumper in case there is a drop in temperature during the evenings.

You should not be carrying more than 23 kg. This is the maximum allowed on the Tranzalpine train and on our Pure Discoveries Tours.

Breakfast will cost around £15-£20.00 ($NZ 30 – $40.00)
Lunch £8-£10.00( $NZ16 – $NZ20)
Dinner £25- £40.00 ( $50 – $80.00)

New Zealand does not have a culture of tipping (thank goodness!).

Only consider it for exceptional service.

Credit and debit cards are accepted widely throughout New Zealand. There maybe a 2-3% charge on transactions.

ATM’s can be found in most cities.

Very much depends on your attitude to risk. But a figure of around £200 per person might be a starting point.

Your driving licence should be current and in fully written English. (this means a standard British driving licence is acceptable) If your licence is not in fully written English, you must bring an English translation with you or obtain an IDP (International Driving Permit).

Our preferred rental car supplier is Avis / Budget. Their fleet of vehicles are all automatic and do not have integrated sat nav’s (this may change in the future) so you should have Google or Apple Maps downloaded to your phone.

Many providers now offer international roaming plans for your phone that include New Zealand. This allows you to retain your normal mobile phone number, but this may be expensive.

The alternative is to either purchase an eSim before you arrive in New Zealand; these are available from several providers, including Airalo, 2degrees, Vodafone, and Spark or you can obtain one in your arrival airport.

Mobile signals are generally good throughout the country except in the more remote regions of Fiordland and Stewart Island.

You’ll probably find that the WiFi code is the first information given at your accommodation.

The international dialling code for New Zealand is +64 (0064) and the first 0 of the phone number should be omitted. You should use this dialling code if you are calling a New Zealand number from your non-NZ mobile.

The emergency phone number is 111 and this is a free call.

The only insects you’re likely to encounter that will be a nuisance are sandflies generally to be found on the West Coast and in the south of South Island. Call in to a local pharmacy for the correct ointment or spray.

230/240 volts (50 hertz). We suggest you buy a Worldwide Adaptor but be aware that New Zealand sockets are for three pins and in some cases the two pins may not work. You can buy the three-pin adaptor in New Zealand.