Getting to New Zealand
New Zealand is remarkably easy to reach — barely three hours from Australia's east coast, with frequent direct flights into Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown. For Australians there's no visa or levy to worry about, either. Once there, quick flights or the scenic Cook Strait ferry link the two islands. Here's how to plan your arrival and travel between the islands.
Flying in from Australia
It's a short hop across the Tasman: about 3 hours to Auckland from the east-coast cities, and 3–3.5 hours to Christchurch, Wellington or Queenstown, on Air New Zealand, Qantas and Jetstar. Auckland is the main North Island gateway and Christchurch the South Island's; flying into one and out of another suits a both-island trip. New Zealand runs 2 hours ahead of AEST. See our itineraries guide.
Visas & crossing Cook Strait
Australian citizens need only a passport — no visa, NZeTA or levy; Australian permanent residents need an NZeTA (but no levy), and most others need an NZeTA plus the NZ$100 visitor levy. To move between islands, either fly (about 1.5 hours) or take the Cook Strait ferry from Wellington to Picton — a scenic 3–3.5 hour crossing through the Marlborough Sounds, with vehicles carried. See our visa guide.
Getting around
New Zealand is made for the road trip — quiet, scenic highways, driving on the left (as in Australia), and campervans everywhere. Allow generous time, as the winding roads take longer than the map implies. Prefer not to drive? There are domestic flights, intercity coaches, the famous TranzAlpine train, and fully guided tours. We'll set up whatever suits your trip. See our getting around New Zealand guide.
Getting to New Zealand: your questions
Short and easy — roughly 3 hours from the east-coast cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) to Auckland, and about 3 to 3.5 hours to Christchurch, Wellington or Queenstown. There are frequent direct flights on Air New Zealand, Qantas and Jetstar. New Zealand is 2 hours ahead of eastern Australian time. It's one of the most convenient international trips Australians can make.
Australian citizens need neither a visa, an NZeTA nor the visitor levy — just a valid passport. Australian permanent residents must hold an NZeTA (but are exempt from the levy). Most other nationalities travelling visa-free need an NZeTA and pay the International Visitor Levy (NZ$100), arranged online before travel. Always confirm the current rules for your passport. See our visa information guide.
Auckland is the busiest hub and the usual North Island gateway. Christchurch is the main South Island gateway; Queenstown has scenic direct trans-Tasman flights (great for a South Island trip); and Wellington serves the lower North Island. You can often fly into one city and out of another — handy for a one-way both-island tour. See our itineraries guide.
Two ways. Fly — quick domestic hops (e.g. Auckland to Queenstown or Christchurch in about 1.5 hours). Or take the Cook Strait ferry between Wellington and Picton — a scenic 3–3.5 hour crossing through the Marlborough Sounds, run by Interislander and Bluebridge, on which you can bring a vehicle. The ferry is a lovely experience in its own right. See our getting around guide.
Most visitors self-drive — roads are quiet and scenic, and Kiwis drive on the left, as in Australia (just allow more time than the distances suggest). Campervans are hugely popular, and there are domestic flights, intercity coaches and the scenic TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific trains. Guided tours handle it all for you. See our getting around New Zealand guide.