NEW ZEALAND'S BEST: SCENIC SPOTS GUARANTEED TO TEST YOUR RAINCOAT'S INTEGRITY

Sarah-Jane Lee
2 days ago
3 min read

Amazing waterfalls, lush temperate forests and it rains. And Fiordland is one of NZ’s top most visited spots. Yet the uninvited guest is often 🌧️ New Zealand's Gloriously Wet Weather. The best laid plans for a dream holiday in New Zealand must include a raincoat.

TIP

Rainy weather is perfect for those moody, mysterious photo shot. Give it a go!

Fiordland: Where Rain is a Lifestyle

Fiordland. Think epic waterfalls and lush, temperate forests. Now, think about why it's so lush. It's raining. A lot. It's still one of New Zealand's top five most visited spots, which proves we'll queue for anything, even a good soaking.

How wet? Fiordland receives swimming pools of rainwater—about seven meters of rain every year. You can expect a delightful downpour on approximately 200 out of 365 days. The general state of the region can be described as damp, rainy, or on the verge of rain.

The NZ Beach Experience (Remember it’s not the tropics)

New Zealand beaches are undeniably beautiful, isolated, and generally not crowded. Why the peaceful solitude? Perhaps it’s the weather. With an average summer temperature hovering around a sizzling 25°C, we are definitely not in the tropics. Perhaps , you will get a healthy glow from battling the southerly wind.

Conquering Roys Peak: A Photoshop Masterclass

The weather isn't just an uninvited guest; it's a co-conspirator in your epic holiday stories.

That iconic Instagram moment atop Roy's Peak, Wanaka? It’s not spoiled by fog blurring out Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains—it’s an opportunity to polish your Photoshop skills!

Plus, you instantly acquire a great story of personal heroism: The Tourist (that's you!), who achieved success reaching the popular selfie location while battling the weather gremlins and proving that Gore-Tex is a sound investment.

What We Really Promise New Zealand Visitors

Forget the standard travel brochure fluff. We offer:

Rays of Sunshine: Where light flexes its muscle, dramatically bouncing through ferns, adding a fleeting layer of warmth to your walk. Capture it quickly; it may only last five minutes.
A Temperate Climate: Which adds a daily guessing game to your holiday. Can you outwit the weather forecast? Definitely! (Although, pack a windproof raincoat, just in case the weather forecast wins.)
Cooling Down After a Brisk Walk: Is effortless. Simply take one layer of clothing off, and let nature provide a refreshing blast of cool air that makes you immediately wish you hadn't.
The Mountain Safety Council App for a Day at the Beach: Because in New Zealand, even a trip to the coast can require knowledge of search and rescue.

What other holiday destination promises four seasons in one day? You’ll need to pack a backpack with: sunglasses, a sunhat, a wind- and rainproof coat, a water bottle (in case you get too warm), and a jersey (in case you need warming up). Your backpack will weigh more than you do.

🏔️ The South Island's Wettest Champions

The West Coast (Greymouth, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier)

This is the undisputed champion of rain in New Zealand. It's the reason the area is so breathtakingly green—it sits directly exposed to the prevailing westerly winds, which dump moisture against the Southern Alps.

The Experience: Lush temperate rainforests, dramatic coastlines, and a rainfall gauge that permanently reads "very full." You are visiting a natural phenomenon: a temperate rainforest that exists purely because the rain never stops.
The Humour: The locals don’t say it's raining; they say the weather is "West Coasting." You'll learn that the glaciers look just as white and impressive through a layer of mist, and the waterfalls are much more spectacular when they're angry

Stewart Island / Rakiura (The Deep South)

The southernmost inhabited island is remote, peaceful, and also happens to be the cloudiest region of the country.

The Experience: You're here for the raw wilderness, the kiwi spotting, and the promise of escaping the crowds. You get all of that, plus a perpetual state of "moody" weather where the sky is rarely crisp blue.
The Humour: Stewart Island doesn't do sunny days; it does various shades of atmospheric grey. It's the perfect place to develop an appreciation for drizzle. (P.S. Bring an extra layer, even in summer.)