An Insider’s Guide to Spring in New Zealand

The crowds haven’t yet descended, the days are warming, lambs are in the fields, and the landscapes put on a show - from lupins and daffodils to waterfalls at their most dramatic. From the sun-soaked vineyards of Waiheke to the flower-filled gardens of Canterbury, here’s our insider’s guide to the season locals love most, and the places we’d book to see it all in style.

Waiheke Island – Long Lunches & Golden Beaches

Spring on Waiheke Island - New Zealand’s answer to Tuscany - means fewer tourists, budding vineyards, and warm days made for long lunches. Just a breezy 45-minute ferry from Auckland, the island brims with world-class wineries and golden beaches. A private foodie tour unlocks boutique producers: silky olive oil, freshly shucked Te Matuku oysters, local honey, island-roasted coffee, small-batch gins, craft brews, and of course, exceptional wines. Between tastings, soak up the views, browse quirky food carts, or charter a private yacht to discover secluded bays.

Where to Stay

Omana Luxury Villas tuck seamlessly into the bush, with sweeping sea views, native birdsong, and access to a private forest reserve. Spread across three hectares with a private beach, the villas are made for lazy mornings, ocean dips, and soaking up the spring sun with a good book — and a glass of wine — in hand.

Queenstown – Lupins, Lakes & Long Dinners

Spring in Queenstown brings the best of both worlds: quieter, snow-dusted slopes and lakefront days edging into warmth. A short drive to Glenorchy reveals lupins in full technicolour bloom, vivid pinks and purples framing the mountains and lake. Back in town, this is the season to secure tables at restaurants that are near-impossible in peak season - including Amisfield, the internationally acclaimed winery restaurant set on a 93-hectare organic single-vineyard estate beneath the dramatic slopes of Mount Pisa.

Where to Stay

Atop the iconic Eichardt’s Private Hotel, the Penthouse claims the best vantage in Queenstown, with sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding peaks — best enjoyed from the large private terrace, champagne in hand, or from the cedar spa. Inside, sleek monochrome interiors are elevated by curated designer details, from Gaggenau and Sub-Zero appliances to a granite island bench with yet more mountain views. And when it’s time for a nightcap, Eichardt’s Bar downstairs has you covered with some of the best cocktails in Queenstown.

Christchurch & Canterbury – Cherry Blossoms & Daffodils

As winter loosens its grip, Christchurch shows off. Hagley Park and the Botanic Gardens brim with blossom, the Avon River is framed by flowering trees, and open-air markets return with seasonal produce. Just north, Waipara is made for long, lazy vineyard lunches, while the Southern Alps — still dusted in snow — cut a striking backdrop against the soft greens and spring blooms of the Canterbury plains.

Where to Stay

Named one of the world’s Top 100 Hotels on the Condé Nast Traveller Gold List, Otahuna Lodge is spectacular year-round, but spring takes it up a notch. The Victorian estate’s gardens erupt with more than 1.2 million daffodils, while the kitchen turns out house-made bread, jam, juice — even gin — from the orchards and gardens. Equal parts grand and intimate, it’s the ultimate base for a Canterbury spring.

Fiordland – Waterfalls & Wilderness

Spring is when Fiordland turns up the drama. Snowmelt sends waterfalls cascading down sheer cliffs, mist drifts across the peaks, and Milford Sound feels wilder than ever. With fewer visitors, it’s the perfect season to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site in near solitude - kayak beneath towering granite walls, hike empty trails, or take it all in from the air on a scenic flight.

Where to Stay

See Milford Sound after hours aboard the Fiordland Jewel, a private overnight charter that leaves the spectacular fiord all to you once the tour boats retreat. Waterfalls thunder around you, stars fill the night sky, and morning light reveals a side of Milford few ever see. Arrive by helicopter, tracing the peaks before landing directly on deck - the ultimate way to experience Fiordland from above and below.

Spring in New Zealand is fleeting - blink and you’ll miss the lupins, the daffodils, and the sunshine-soaked vineyard long lunches. But time it right, and you’ll see the country at its most dazzling, without the summer crowds. From Waiheke to Fiordland, these are the places to stay, sip, and soak it all in.