Traveling to New Zealand?

Question

I am going to travel to South Island of New Zealand in the second half of June with my family. It is winter there and it might be icy and snowing some time there. I am wondering if it is safe to drive on highway, in areas such as Mt. Cook, Queenstown, and Fox Glacier. Does anybody know the island and suggest self driving or going with tour company?

Answer 1

It is absolutely fine you just need to be aware to be a bit more cautious if ice is present on any parts of the road. However, if/when ice is present on the roads measures are taken to make  the roads safe for everyone, i.e they put (trying to think of the right word..) stoney stuff over the road to cover the ice. Roads on which extreme caution needs to be taken are more the ski field roads, i.e up to cardrona and the remarkables around Queenstown wanaka (you would need chains on your tyres). if there is any major danger roads would be closed. Of course if you don't think you would feel confident enough then a tour company is an option, if you are used to driving on windy roads in winter conditions though you will be fine.

Answer 2

You can get cought out with some weather in winter time....

I will say that there are often less frosts on the west coast ( eg Franz/Fox Glaciers) in the winter time due to it being closer to the sea which helps ( but it will still often be frosty in shaded areas)......

You just need to take it easy ...BUT..I will say that I have many a time being frustrated by being behind a campervanand or tourist vehicle travelling at 50km an hour on a 100km open road and cursed the tourist who is hogging my road......it is the attittude of many people here ( can be aggressive).....I would say to keep an eye out for following vehicles and pull over often and let them pass!

The roads here are often quite narrow ( even our state highways), windy ( ie lots of turns) and often gravel so can be a bit slidy.

I don't think roads will be closed as such...or at least not for long.....probably the main one I would think would be the Homer tunnel and road to Milford Sound

I would say that self driving gives you the most freedom....we are a country of drivers...and with the limited public transport I would recommend it as an option.

I think ezyrentals are quite good value..at least its a start

Answer 3

It's fine driving yourself. Just don't, like, die.

Answer 4

It's fine..June wouldn't be too bad..I studied abroad there and my Mom came to visit in July and we drove around the south island to all the places you mentioned and the roads weren't bad at all even though there was snow in the area..I wouldn't worry about it too much unless there were horrible snow storms in which case be careful!

Answer 5

You will be fine driving yourself. The roads are good enough and only one or two mountain passes may be closed for a couple of days.

One of those passes in the Lindis Pass going to Queenstown from Christchurch.

Answer 6

Nicola P = It is a special sort of salt they put on the road.

Answer 7

If you have experience driving in winter conditions it will be fine.  If you have never driven on icy or snowy roads, I suggest you go with a tour.  

Many tourists have accidents on NZ roads as the roads are more narrow and winding then lots of other places.  If you add snow or ice it becomes very challenging to enjoy your journey - especially of you have children with you.  NZ is a lefthand drive country and can be quite difficult if you normally drive on the right.

The south is so beautiful, I think to get the best from it, I would suggest a small tour company.  That way you get to see the highlights of the island without the responsibility of a car/driving.

Answer 8

I live in the south of the South Island and I'm pleased you asked this question.  Quite a lot of overseas visitors seem to have accidents here.  The most common reasons seem to be failing to keep left and losing control on gravel roads.  Icy roads here are no more of a problem than in other cold or temperate-zone places, like North America, Japan, Korea and Europe.  If you come from any of these places you'll already be used to driving to the conditions.  But unlike some of these places, we've got a lot of gravel roads, which some of our visitors have never encountered before.  Provided you drive to the conditions, NZ is a safe country to drive in.  When I come back from a trip to Europe, our wide roads, good visibility and relatively light traffic make this seem like an easy place to drive in. But you're right, expect ice and snow in those locations in late June.  And there's a small chance that some roads, especially the Milford Sound road will be snowed in.  Hire car insurance usually isn't valid for the Skippers road near Queenstown.  I nearly went over the edge there once.  And in winter, the roads over the passes, like the Lindis, Arthurs, Haast and Lewis can be treacherous.  No reason though why you can't drive yourself.  Bon Voyage.

Answer 9

drivin there is fine i went in a camper van and nothing went rong but the roads can b a bit gravely because they have not tar sealed them yet

Answer 10

yup itl be winter... get some chains for ya tyres dont want to get stuck with a fine :)