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New Zealand’s southern island reaches for the heavens with its snow-capped mountains and rumbling volcanoes. In the north are endless stretches of gorgeous grasslands and lush redwood forests. Meanwhile, the glorious fjords, stunning sounds and glacier-fed lakes are so otherworldly you’d imagine they were inhabited by elven-folk. If only there were a visionary director who could capture it all in one high-fantasy epic. Alas…
New Zealand is a progressive leaning country with an even more progressive leaning Prime Minister—at the time of being elected, Jacinda Ardern was the youngest serving female head of state in the world. So it should come as no surprise that LGBT laws are heavily in our favour. But acceptance in New Zealand goes beyond laws and regulations. Opinion polls show wide-spread acceptance of LGBT rights and same-sex marriage. While pockets of prejudice still exist in some rural regions, you’ll feel more than welcome in this small nation.
Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Legal
Right to Change Gender: Legal, but requires surgery
Same-Sex Adoption: Legal
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal
There are more people living in New York City than there are spread across all of New Zealand. So while the country as a whole is a very welcoming destination for LGBT jet setters, the actual gay and lesbian scene is quite small. Auckland is the only city with a discernable queer strip. In fact, most of the country’s biggest tourist destinations don’t even have a dedicated gay bar. And while there are a number of Pride events hosted in the country’s summer season, they are hobbit-size in comparison to what you might be used to. But again, New Zealand is more than welcoming and you can comfortably enjoy your 5pm brewski in any bar.
Auckland: Karangahape Road. AKA K’Road.
Auckland Pride Festival: Annually in February
Wellington International Pride Parade (WIPP): Annually in late-February/early-March
Auckland: Caluzzi Bar and Cabaret (Famous drag bar)
Auckland: GAY (Bar and club. Mixed LGBT crowd)
Auckland: Family Bar (Nightclub)
Auckland: Lick (Semi-regular lesbian party)
Uncork the beauty of one of New Zealand’s most famous wine regions. Beyond bottles of cold climate vintages such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, this region is well known for its craft beer and inspired culinary scene.
Small but mighty Wellington is known for its urban-chic vibe, windy weather and vibrant art scene. There are more cafes and restaurants per person here than New York!
It should come as no surprise Sir Edmund Hillary—one of the two first men to ever surmount Everest—was a proud Kiwi. His backyard was a playground of mountains to practice scaling, including the tallest and most beautiful in the country, Mt Cook.
Rivendell… er… Milford Sound is nestled at the foot of the country and is its most scenic national park. Rent a kayak and paddle under cascading waterfalls, through fjords and along lush forests. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, seals and the Fiordland crested penguin.
Queenstown lives up to its city moniker, “The Hometown of Adventure.” It’s the birthplace of bungee jumping and the perfect launching pad for hang gliding. Take the centrally located gondola up The Remarkables mountain range for captivating views as well as access to the riveting albeit hilarious luge track. Although it’s known as a gateway to the country’s more adventurous activities (mountaineering, hiking, skiing etc.), more relaxed excursions are also readily available such as a day tour of beautiful Glenorchy.
Best Time of Year to Visit: March & April are New Zealand’s shoulder seasons. These two month’s offer the best bang for your buck, promising good weather, traffic-free roads and reasonably priced lodgings. If you’re interested in southern hemisphere skiing, consider a trip in late-June through early-August.
Electricity: In New Zealand the power plugs and sockets are of type I. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. For more information visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/newzealand/.
Time Zone: New Zealand Standard Time (GMT+12)
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: Out Adventures requires proof of full Covid-19 vaccination from all guests, following recommendations by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more details please see our Covid-19 FAQ.
Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for New Zealand, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
Visas: Most travellers from Australia, Canada, The United Kingdom and The United States do not require a visa, however they do require an NZeTA to enter New Zealand for up to 90 days. You must apply before entering New Zealand, and it may take up to 48 hours. Exceptions may apply and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller. For more information, click here.
LGBT Rights in New Zealand
New Zealand is a progressive leaning country with an even more progressive leaning Prime Minister—at the time of being elected, Jacinda Ardern was the youngest serving female head of state in the world. So it should come as no surprise that LGBT laws are heavily in our favour. But acceptance in New Zealand goes beyond laws and regulations. Opinion polls show wide-spread acceptance of LGBT rights and same-sex marriage. While pockets of prejudice still exist in some rural regions, you’ll feel more than welcome in this small nation.
Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Legal
Right to Change Gender: Legal, but requires surgery
Same-Sex Adoption: Legal
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal
Gay New Zealand Travel
There are more people living in New York City than there are spread across all of New Zealand. So while the country as a whole is a very welcoming destination for LGBT jet setters, the actual gay and lesbian scene is quite small. Auckland is the only city with a discernable queer strip. In fact, most of the country’s biggest tourist destinations don’t even have a dedicated gay bar. And while there are a number of Pride events hosted in the country’s summer season, they are hobbit-size in comparison to what you might be used to. But again, New Zealand is more than welcoming and you can comfortably enjoy your 5pm brewski in any bar.
Auckland: Karangahape Road. AKA K’Road.
Auckland Pride Festival: Annually in February
Wellington International Pride Parade (WIPP): Annually in late-February/early-March
Auckland: Caluzzi Bar and Cabaret (Famous drag bar)
Auckland: GAY (Bar and club. Mixed LGBT crowd)
Auckland: Family Bar (Nightclub)
Auckland: Lick (Semi-regular lesbian party)
Best Places to Visit in New Zealand
Uncork the beauty of one of New Zealand’s most famous wine regions. Beyond bottles of cold climate vintages such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, this region is well known for its craft beer and inspired culinary scene.
Small but mighty Wellington is known for its urban-chic vibe, windy weather and vibrant art scene. There are more cafes and restaurants per person here than New York!
It should come as no surprise Sir Edmund Hillary—one of the two first men to ever surmount Everest—was a proud Kiwi. His backyard was a playground of mountains to practice scaling, including the tallest and most beautiful in the country, Mt Cook.
Rivendell… er… Milford Sound is nestled at the foot of the country and is its most scenic national park. Rent a kayak and paddle under cascading waterfalls, through fjords and along lush forests. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, seals and the Fiordland crested penguin.
Queenstown lives up to its city moniker, “The Hometown of Adventure.” It’s the birthplace of bungee jumping and the perfect launching pad for hang gliding. Take the centrally located gondola up The Remarkables mountain range for captivating views as well as access to the riveting albeit hilarious luge track. Although it’s known as a gateway to the country’s more adventurous activities (mountaineering, hiking, skiing etc.), more relaxed excursions are also readily available such as a day tour of beautiful Glenorchy.
More Info
Best Time of Year to Visit: March & April are New Zealand’s shoulder seasons. These two month’s offer the best bang for your buck, promising good weather, traffic-free roads and reasonably priced lodgings. If you’re interested in southern hemisphere skiing, consider a trip in late-June through early-August.
Electricity: In New Zealand the power plugs and sockets are of type I. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. For more information visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/newzealand/.
Time Zone: New Zealand Standard Time (GMT+12)
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: Out Adventures requires proof of full Covid-19 vaccination from all guests, following recommendations by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more details please see our Covid-19 FAQ.
Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for New Zealand, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
Visas: Most travellers from Australia, Canada, The United Kingdom and The United States do not require a visa, however they do require an NZeTA to enter New Zealand for up to 90 days. You must apply before entering New Zealand, and it may take up to 48 hours. Exceptions may apply and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller. For more information, click here.
Our Founder Robert Sharp shares how Out Adventures plans on safely restarting tours.
Read MoreNew Zealand is rugged, unpretentious, and sparsely populated. However we still found some of the most accommodating places to welcome you to the Land of Middle Earth. Read on to check out where we’ll be checking in.
Read MoreDespite being one of the smallest nations we visit, New Zealand has so much to offer we created back-to-back trips that focus on the North and South islands. This post dives into the accommodations on our Active South Island Expedition, including a night aboard a boat.
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