Dear community
For the first time in our lives, my girlfriend and I have four weeks off this year, mid-December to mid-January, and we are planning our first trip to New Zealand. Normally on trips like this I prefer to book only the first and maybe the last night in advance and decide the rest spontaneously. However, I am concerned that this could be a problem in high season when hotels and campsites fill up quickly. Anyone have any experience/recommendations?
Great plan. I've done that three times so far, at the same time of year.
The only area I would have needed to prebook was Queenstown - over the Christmas - New Year holiday time that is often booked pretty solid. I'd plan on being somewhere else at that time.
Actually, I'm told the same is true of the Coromandel too, with Aucklanders getting out of town for a break.
Elsewhere I've stayed in plenty of near-empty hostels and hotels, in December and January. Unless you need to be in a particular place, and won't have a car, I'd be happy to wing it. Just take local advice if going somewhere remote such as the West Coast - perhaps book the day ahead there if unsure.