New Zealand and Australia Travel Experts
G’day!
Thanks for visiting Go Walkabout Travel, your travel agents specializing in New Zealand and Australia for travelers from the USA and Canada.
With over 35 years of firsthand experience, our travel team was born and raised in the South Pacific region and visits regularly to stay up to date with what’s new. We share genuine local knowledge and personal insight you won’t find online.
Below are some of the most common questions our travel planners receive, along with expert advice to help you create your dream trip to New Zealand.
Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand from the USA or Canada?
If you’re visiting New Zealand with a U.S. or Canadian passport, you’ll need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). We can assist you with the application.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you return home. Travelers with criminal records may be denied entry. You might also be asked for proof of funds or a return ticket before boarding your flight.
When is the best time of year to visit New Zealand?
New Zealand’s peak season runs from October to April, when weather conditions are ideal.
Our travel agents specializing in New Zealand recommend November to April for the best combination of mild temperatures and fewer crowds – especially March and April after the summer rush.
What’s the best way to travel around New Zealand?
The ideal way to explore is a mix of self-drive and flights.
Most roads are single-lane and winding, and yes – you may encounter sheep! Drive safely, take your time, and remember that Kiwis drive on the left.
If you’d rather not drive, we can organize:
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Scenic rail journeys
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Private guides
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Chauffeured transfers
Every itinerary is fully customized to your comfort level.
How can I reduce jet lag on flights to and from New Zealand?
Jet lag usually hits hardest on the return trip to North America. Give yourself a day or two before returning to work.
Many clients from Boston, Atlanta, Tampa, and New York enjoy a stopover on their way home. Your New Zealand travel advisor can recommend the best routing options — we’ve flown these routes ourselves.
Do you offer 24/7 support while I’m in New Zealand?
Absolutely. When you book with Go Walkabout Travel, you’re never alone.
We provide an emergency support line in New Zealand available 24/7, so our local partners are ready to assist if anything unexpected happens.
How do your travel agents design a custom New Zealand vacation?
Your personal travel agent will design your dream itinerary around your interests, travel style, and preferred pace.
Born and raised in the South Pacific, our team knows New Zealand inside out – no cookie-cutter trips here. Whether you visit the North Island, South Island, or both, we’ll craft something unforgettable.
How early should I book my trip to New Zealand?
It’s best to start planning your New Zealand vacation well in advance – ideally 10 to 12 months before your intended travel dates.
New Zealand’s luxury lodges, boutique accommodations, and small-group experiences book out quickly, especially during the high season (November – April).
If you’re wondering what’s the ideal time to start booking a New Zealand vacation, our experienced travel designers recommend confirming your itinerary around the 10-month mark – and even earlier for peak months such as November through February, when availability is most limited.
Booking early also gives us time to fine-tune every detail — from flights out of Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, or Vancouver — ensuring your New Zealand vacation unfolds seamlessly from start to finish.
Insider Tip: As preferred partners with many of New Zealand’s top luxury properties and tour operators, we often have access to availability and opportunities that aren’t released to the general public, giving our clients first choice of the most exceptional experiences.
Additional Tip: Car hire availability in New Zealand can be surprisingly limited — especially for automatic transmission vehicles, SUVs, and one-way rentals between the North and South Islands. We strongly recommend confirming your self-drive arrangements early to avoid disappointment.
Can I visit Australia or the South Pacific on the same trip to New Zealand?
Absolutely. Many of our clients choose to combine New Zealand and Australia in a single journey.
Because flights between the two countries are short and well connected, visiting both destinations on one trip is easier than most travelers realize.
In many cases, airfares to Australia and New Zealand combined cost little more than a round trip to just one, making it an excellent value for travelers coming from North America.
Our travel agents specializing in Australia and New Zealand can design seamless, tailor-made itineraries that highlight the best of both countries, from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Sydney Harbour to New Zealand’s Fiordland and wine regions.
If you prefer to relax en route, we can also arrange South Pacific stopovers in Fiji, the Cook Islands, or Tahiti (French Polynesia). These tropical islands pair beautifully with New Zealand vacations and are ideal for honeymoons, romantic escapes, or a few days of downtime after adventure-filled touring.
Insider tip: Adding a stopover not only helps you adjust to the time zone on the way to or from New Zealand but also lets you experience two or three distinct cultures and landscapes in a single journey. We coordinate every detail, from inter-country flights to baggage connections, so your Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific vacation package flows seamlessly from start to finish.
What types of accommodation can I expect in New Zealand?
New Zealand offers a wide variety of accommodation, from world-class luxury lodges to charming boutique hotels and authentic local stays. Our travel experts will help you choose the best mix for your itinerary and travel style so that every night feels special.
Popular options include:
• Luxury lodges with exceptional service and dining
• Boutique hotels and intimate bed and breakfasts
• Farm stays that give you a taste of rural New Zealand life
• Self-contained apartments, perfect for extended stays or laundry days
• Overnight cruises on Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound, where you might see dolphins, seals, and other wildlife
Combining several types of stays offers the best balance of comfort and authenticity, allowing you to experience both New Zealand’s sophistication and its relaxed local charm.
Insider tip: Many of New Zealand’s top lodges and boutique properties have limited rooms and high repeat clientele, so we recommend reserving them early to secure preferred dates and views.
How can I start planning my trip to New Zealand?
Our travel agents specializing in New Zealand vacations are ready to help you plan a journey that reflects your interests, pace, and style. Every itinerary we create is fully customized and tailor-made from the first conversation to the final flight home.
Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, marking a retirement, exploring New Zealand’s golf courses and wine regions, joining a small group tour, or simply ready for a high-end luxury escape, we’ll ensure your experience is seamless, personal, and unforgettable.
Our bespoke itineraries may include private drivers, exclusive lodge stays, helicopter transfers, small-group touring, or behind-the-scenes vineyard visits, all crafted to suit your travel dreams.
To begin, explore a few of our sample routes and ideas:
New Zealand Tour Packages
New Zealand Vacations
Self-Drive New Zealand Tours
When you’re ready, reach out and we’ll start building your personalized New Zealand vacation together.
P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter below for insider updates, travel inspiration, and tips from our New Zealand specialists.
We simply can't say enough wonderful things about Dianne Hall and her New Zealand team. From the moment we committed to the trip, we felt heard, cared for, and supported through the entire journey. Our visit fell between some of the biggest storms and flooding Aotearoa New Zealand has seen in decades, and even though I know Dianne was busy managing all the weather impacts on the ground, she still seamlessly took care of our planning and getting us back into California afterward.
We quickly realized that we were in over our heads trying to plan our trip. With a little research, we found Go Walkabout, and instantly felt that we had made the right choice. Dianne was such a pleasure to work with from start to finish, and almost all of the stress of planning our trip melted away.