South Island Travel Answers

Do you know the likely temperature range for your activities? I really feel the cold and I've been through a lot of clothes that didn't deal with cold weather or didn't meet what the salesperson told me. I have found that cotton doesn't give you any warmth next to your body. I tend to go for a thin merino wool base layer (or other thermal material), followed by some sort of fleece or thicker merino sweater. A windproof soft shell with a lightweight waterproof jacket over the top. Avoid denim or cotton trousers if it's going to be wet.Fast dry trousers with merino or thermal leggings underneath are cozy. Unless it's really cold and you are hanging around outdoors for a long time you can probably make do without the down coat by adding extra layers - for me the important thing is to keep the wind out with a decent windproof coat. Also, just having a windproof beanie hat, a scarf and gloves can make a big difference to how warm you feel. I've not been to NZ so I can't help you with the likely temperatures for that time of year but I have travelled in some extreme temps and the layering system and natural fibres is the best way forward for me.

Hi Karen. Thanks for the reply. Temperature range is between 5-19 degrees celsius. It'll be late spring, cool days with drizzles. Coming from the tropics, I have no idea how to dress for cooler climates, and have bought several pieces of unsuitable clothing for previous travels. So I thought I'd better ask this time round. We do not need to wear a t-shirt on top of a thermal base?

you are best to come prepared for the lower range of you expectations. Christchurch could be quite warm - low to mid 20's, but your other places are either inland or quite a way further south, and less affected by warm winds from the northwest. You might need 3 layers plus the shell...you can always take layers off.

I think with your many layers you should be fine. Particularly your middle layer will keep you warm and cosy, and with a wind/rainproof jacket over that you should be fine. You can get any kind of weather. If it is, for example, too cold on the cruise at Milford Sound you can always stay inside the boat and get inside when you are cold. Penguin viewing can also be a cold affair as it might go over an extended period. I barely ever wear a down jacket, not even in winter - but a warm sweater or a fleece shirt and an anorak or leather coat over that.

Thanks Steve and Kakapo. I'm not sure whether this is a silly question...Do we need to wear T-shirts in between the thermal base layer and the wool/cashmere/fleece middle layer? Sales lady said it's up to me. If unnecessary, then I could save some luggage space.

I don't think the T-shirt will add any warmth (in fact it could do the opposite as if you do get a bit sweaty then get cold again, cotton tends to take ages to dry, whereas technical fabric or merino wool will wick) but if you do get a sunny day it would be handy to have T-shirts as otherwise you might be parading around in your thermals, which don't tend to look too pretty on their own!

I agree with Karen. When it is hot the sweat will stick in cotton shirts and cool you down. I would rather recommend t-shirts (or: t-shirt-like shirts) in these modern fast drying fibers which transport the humidity outside, like short-sleeve sports shirts/jerseys. There are very cheap ones available at the "Warehouse" in NZ (Active Wear), one costs NZ$ 10 to 15. Also the outdoor clothing companies sell them (for example Kathmandu), also available with long sleeves. Often for hiking I wear long-sleeve cycling shirts (because I am allergic to merino/wool) - they are fast drying and handy with the pockets on the backside.

Thanks Karen and Kakapo. That was certainly very useful information.

I never kid myself, Nov is still cold. And unlike locals, I live in my down jacket down south :-) I guess it depends what you are used to, but if you come from a hot region, then you may find NZ quite cold. But I agree with above, shop at The Warehouse if you find you need more clothes once you arrive. And a windproof layer will provide good warmth if you have nice layers underneath, if you don't want to do the down thing (often down jackets are not waterproof - although these do exist). We are always taught to wear wool against the skin for best warming, unless your skin is irritated by the wool. In the very cold weather a cotton base layer will do you no good.

Thanks Kiwi. I'll do just that (make purchases in NZ if I do feel cold). Cheers.

Not to forget: Wear warm socks, either wool (if you are not allergic/sensitive) or those fantastic hiking socks that keep your feet warm in cold weather and cool when it is hot. If you have cold feet the best upper clothes do not really help and you feel miserable.

Hi Kakapo. Thanks for the reminder. I have added my angora socks into the packing list. Hoping to get some possum socks in NZ; heard they are very comfortable.

That's the possum/merino mix. Possum alone would not make good socks because this is just fur. You get such socks and other fantastic clothes made of this material in many souvenir shops, not just outdoor clothing shops.

Yes, and often at airports :-) Just one point, be sure to wash them carefully, and not in hot water, or they just shrink up to be useless. But indeed they are very nice socks!

Thanks Kakapo and Kiwi. Glad to know they're easily available. Intend to buy some for our own use in NZ (to save luggage space, I will bring only one pair per person)as well as get some as gifts for family members at home. Speaking of souvenirs, I wish to buy some foodstuff to share with colleagues in office. Any recommendations for individually wrapped, light, non-bulky foodstuff that is available in Christchurch central or airport?

One favourite for a sweet item, is a packet (not individually wrapped) of biscuits (cookies) called Griffins Chocolate Hokey Pokey Squiggles.

Sweets... As you know, tastes are very individual. My top favourite chocolates are Belgian chocolate truffles made in Christchurch and sold at Ballantynes, a big department store alongside the container mall. My favourite of the favourites is called Mt. Cook. I would rather say it is more for your personal tasting because one costs about NZ$ 2.... At the souvenir shops you get funny stuff like Kiwi Worms (= jelly worms), Sheep Droppings (= chocolate-coated peanuts) and Pukeko Poo (= orange-coated chocolate balls). Also chocolate filled with kiwifruit jelly, cookies with kiwifruit pieces, etc. Everything very Kiwi. There are not many souvenir shops left in Christchurch, the big ones were all in the Red Zone. So the best option really is to buy the stuff at the airport shop (Naturally New Zealand). There is also a smaller one of these shops in the container mall. They definitely have the best souvenirs in Chch at the moment.

Thanks! The Hokey Pokey Squiggles look yummy. For convenience, I'll shop around the airport then. Looking forward to my trip.

Oh and "pineapple lumps" are a favourite of most Kiwis as well. (candy).

Thanks Kiwi. Will look out for that as well.

Best you try some of the very Kiwi delicacies before buying them for your collagues as some of them are aquired tastes - like so many local specialities worldwide - and are only palatable for locals. Being married to a Kiwi, I can tell ;-))) I, for example, do not like pineapple lumps at all. In general most Kiwi sweets are much sweeter than in most European countries. Forgot to mention a seriously good Kiwi chocolate producer. This is Whittaker's, available in most supermarkets and not expensive at all. Of course, they also have hokey pokey chocolate. My tips: rum and raisin, caramel... I would not touch Cadbury but Whittaker's is delicious. http://www.whittakers.co.nz/#/home/

Thanks Kakapo. I chuckled when I read your post because I was in fact wondering what Kiwi fruit cookies will taste like (most common when I google NZ food souvenirs). Will look for Whittakers in New World Supermarket (Queenstown) and Four Square Supermarket (Wanaka), from which I will be getting some self-catering supplies. Cheers.

I think Kiwifruit cookies are something created for tourists, not something most kiwis I know, eat. I'm thinking of the things my family ask me to bring them (overseas) when I visit. Another sweet suggestion : "Oddfellows". (candy).

I think kiwifruit cookies are only available in souvenir shops anyway. That's why most Kiwis would not even discover them LOL They are not bad though... Just some dried kiwifruit pieces incorporated into the cookies, like hokey pokey, raisins, chocolate chips, etc. Despite living here I always go to souvenir shops when looking for gifts because they have - apart from a lot of kitsch ;-) - quite good stuff for everyday use, including creams, soaps, clothes, tea towels, etc.

Actually I don't really fancy the description of Kiwifruit Cookies. But they are individually wrapped and available at Christchurch airport souvenir shops. Hmm... Maybe they know there will be many tourists like myself who do last minute purchases. But I will definitely try to find Honey Pokey Squiggles and Whittakers Chocolates -I love chocolates! I must try to remember it's meant for my colleagues though. On my last travel to Taiwan, we finished the food souvenirs meant for my in-laws before we reached their place!!!

This could happen with me if I bought Mt Cook chocolates for somebody else but me ;-) BTW We forgot to mention peanut slabs. They are also made by Whittaker's, and they come in muesli bar size, so perfect to give away and share. google.co.nz/search?q=peanut...

They look perfect! A lot of varieties too.

Hi everyone! We're back home, after an awesome two weeks in NZ. It was such an amazing experience that I'm already thinking when to visit again. Got to save up first though...my wallet hurts! Would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread. The weather was extremely cold in the Catlins (gales, snow and hail...how exciting). My B&B host said "it felt like winter all over" and my tour operator described it as "cold arctic winds". Quite an experience! My 3 layers (thermal base, wool sweater and softshell jacket) was useless, particularly during penguin viewing. But elsewhere (Queenstown, Wanaka, Lake Tekapo and Christchurch), weather was nice and warm. We are quite comfy with 2 layers most days. Got some really nice chocolates for my colleagues. And my kids bought lots of souvenir soft toys. A very enjoyable trip....Hmmm...Having experienced Spring with its beautiful blossoms and sweet little lambs, next visit I should probably target Autumn....

Thanks so much for coming back to report on your trip, it's good for us to hear. And glad you had a good time, even some snow! Yes the Caitlins can be bitterly cold as you discovered. Well if you do come back one day, don't forget to consider summer, as I feel that is the best time to visit, albeit a bit busy. But that's why it's busy, and our version of busy is still not very busy compared to some countries. Happy saving :-)

Hi Kiwi Thanks for the tip! Do you live down south? We came back to Singapore with a mighty respect for all the people residing in Southland. Brrr...cold! But....very very beautiful and teeming with wildlife. My friends didn't believe I took the photos I posted on Facebook, much to my indignation. They said the pictures must have come straight out of postcards!!! But that is exactly how pretty NZ is... Even hobbyist photographers like us can take marvellous pics, simply because God has provided such a gorgeous backdrop.