Travelling around New Zealand over the Christmas Period? We have highlighted our top 5 ways to spend your Kiwi Christmas Day. Whether you are travelling around the North or South Island, on the coast or inland you can experience a true Kiwi Christmas! It’ll be like no Christmas you’ve had before!
1. By The Lake
As Christmas is in the summertime in New Zealand, you can leave the puffer jackets, hats and scarfs at home. You won’t want to spend a minute indoors, so being by the lake is a great way to spend your day! Wanaka and Queenstown are top summertime spots and great places to spend Christmas Day.
Start your morning by going for a hike, we recommend Mt Iron or Roy’s Peak track in Wanaka. Afterwards, take a dip in the lake, then indulge in a festive Christmas lunch. If you’re feeling less traditional, opt for a classic Kiwi BBQ next to the lake. Eely Point in Wanaka or St Omer’s Park in Queenstown are fantastic BBQ spots.
2. At The Beach
Get up early and watch the sunrise over the coastal beaches of New Zealand on Christmas morning. One of Kiwi’s favourite things to do on Christmas Day is to spend the day at the beach. Spend a relaxing day cooking up burgers or fresh seafood on the Barbie and sinking your feet into the sand.
Don’t forget to slip, slop, slap and wrap with sunscreen before enjoying a fun and competitive game of backyard cricket or beach volleyball.
After a long day at the beach don’t forget to sneak in an afternoon nap and enjoy a big slice of Kiwi pavlova.
3. Spend The Day In The City
Christchurch and Auckland host some beautiful festivities over the Christmas period. Check out carols by candlelight or a Kiwi favourite, Christmas in the Park, which happens earlier in December.
You’ll also find amazing Christmas light shows. Our favourite is the Christchurch Lightshow on Shands Road, open every day in December.
If you don’t feel like cooking up a Christmas lunch or dinner, in the bigger cities you are more likely to find a few restaurants open on Christmas day. Make sure to organise a restaurant booking in advance as it is a very busy time of year!
4. Pohutukawa Trees
Commonly found in the North Island, spend the day at a park nestled next to a Pohutukawa tree, New Zealand’s iconic Christmas tree. These trees thrive in warmer and drier coastal regions, making Gisborne an ideal spot to find them!
Pack a picnic, bring along a rugby ball, and enjoy a day in the park surrounded by the beauty of New Zealand’s traditional Christmas tree.
5. Rotorua
Join the locals in festive cheer by attending the local Santa parades that wind through the main streets of towns or follow the map of the Christmas Light Trails, where local houses are dressed in festive decorations. As it's summertime in New Zealand, keep in mind that darkness falls quite late!
Rotorua emerges as a favoured destination for spending Christmas Day, with a lot of attractions that remain open, ensuring a memorable holiday experience. With places like Skyline Rotorua to Paradise Valley Springs, Rotorua promises an unforgettable Christmas adventure.
Although Christmas looks a bit different in New Zealand, it’s a great day outside, eating great food in the sun. Our top 5 spots to spend Christmas day provide a fantastic introduction to the unique celebrations in New Zealand.
So however you choose to spend it, have a very Meri Kirihimete (Merry Christmas) from us at Mode Rentals and have a safe and relaxing festive season down in New Zealand!
