Welcome! Kōwhiria te pai (Choose the good). New Zealand is an incredible country, and we’re so excited for you to come and explore its beauty. From the people to the landscapes, it’s a place that tends to capture a piece of your heart.
To help you have the smoothest, most enjoyable, and stress-free trip possible, we’ve put together this list of the 10 most common (and easily avoidable) mistakes we see visitors make.
Think of this as the friendly advice you’d get from a local over a flat white. Avoid these slip-ups, and you’ll be travelling like a seasoned pro.
1. Underestimating the Driving Times
This is, without a doubt, the #1 mistake. You look at a map, see a 200km distance, and think “two hours, easy.” Wrong. New Zealand roads are narrow, winding, and often climb over mountains. You will not be averaging 100 km/h.
- The Fix: Add at least 20-25% to any travel time suggested by Google Maps. A 3-hour drive will be closer to 4. This gives you time for photo stops, coffee breaks, and to simply drive safely without rushing.
2. Trying to See Both Islands in Under 2 Weeks
The temptation is huge, but this is the fast track to an exhausting holiday spent entirely in a car. New Zealand is bigger than it looks, and a “see it all” itinerary means you will experience nothing but the inside of your vehicle.
- The Fix: If you have 14 days or less, choose one island. You’ll have a richer, more relaxing, and more immersive experience. (We wrote a whole guide on this topic here: [Link to your “Why You Shouldn’t See Both Islands…” post])
3. Not Booking Key Things in Advance
In the peak summer season (December-February), New Zealand is a very popular place. You cannot just show up and expect to find a rental car, a bed in Queenstown, or a spot on a famous tour.
- The Fix: Book your accommodation, rental vehicle, and any absolute must-do tours (like Hobbiton, Milford Sound cruises, or the Great Walks) months in advance.
4. Packing for Only One Season
You’ve heard the saying “four seasons in one day,” and it’s absolutely true. A glorious sunny morning in the mountains can turn into a cold, rainy afternoon in the blink of an eye, even in the middle of summer.
- The Fix: Pack layers. A waterproof rain jacket, a warm fleece, and sturdy walking shoes are non-negotiable, no matter the time of year.
5. Underestimating the New Zealand Sun
Our sun is not like your sun. Due to a thinner ozone layer above us, the UV radiation in New Zealand is incredibly harsh. You can get sunburnt in as little as 15 minutes, even on a cloudy day.
- The Fix: Be “SunSmart.” Wear SPF30+ sunscreen every day (and reapply it), wear a hat, and have a good pair of sunglasses. Don’t learn this lesson the hard, red, painful way.
6. Disrespecting Nature (and Freedom Camping Rules)
New Zealand’s natural beauty is its greatest treasure (our taonga), and Kiwis are fiercely protective of it. This means leaving no trace, not feeding our cheeky (and endangered) Kea parrots, and sticking to the tracks.
- The Fix: Pack out everything you pack in. Use public toilets or your certified self-contained campervan’s facilities. And if you are freedom camping, use the essential apps (like CamperMate) to ensure you are parked in a legal, designated spot to avoid a hefty fine.
7. Forgetting to Check the Tides
This is a rookie mistake that can ruin a key part of your itinerary. Two of the North Island’s most famous attractions are completely dependent on the tides.
- The Fix: Hot Water Beach (Coromandel) is only diggable for two hours on either side of low tide. Cathedral Caves (The Catlins) is only accessible at low tide. Check the local tide charts online before you even drive there.
8. Only Visiting the “Instagram” Spots
Yes, Roys Peak, Lake Tekapo, and that one Wanaka tree are famous for a reason. But they are also incredibly crowded. Some of the best memories of a New Zealand trip are made on a random quiet beach or in a small town pie shop.
- The Fix: Build some flexibility into your itinerary. Allow yourself time to explore a side road, stop in a town that isn’t in your guidebook, and discover your own “secret” spot.
9. Thinking You Can Just “Wing It” on a Great Walk
New Zealand’s ten Great Walks are world-famous and require booking. You cannot simply show up at the trailhead and start walking.
- The Fix: Bookings for the huts and campsites on the DOC website open months in advance (usually in June) and the most famous tracks (Milford, Routeburn) sell out for the entire season in under 15 minutes. It’s a national event. Plan well, well ahead.
10. Tipping
This is a simple cultural tip. Tipping is not customary or expected in New Zealand. All staff in hospitality are paid a legislated minimum wage. While a small tip for exceptional service is never refused, it’s not standard practice.
- The Fix: A genuine “thank you” to your server or guide is the best way to show your appreciation.
👉 Need Help Planning Your Trip?
Excursion New Zealand is your ultimate guide to an unforgettable journey. We help you discover top attractions, hidden gems, and local favorites to maximize your New Zealand adventure.
How it works is you enter you starting origin, destination and it will show you an optimized route and any attractions along the way.
From there you can select what attractions you want to see and we provide you with a plan including the travel time required.
