🇳🇿 New Zealand
Closest to home, easiest to plan.
No - Australian passport holders can enter New Zealand without a visa for up to Indefinite - Australian citizens are granted a resident visa on arrival.
Australian plugs and voltage work as they do at home, one Australian dollar buys about 1.23 NZD, and New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) is compulsory before you fly.
Entry rules last checked 24 October 2026.
New Zealand is Australia's biggest outbound market and the simplest trip to organise - no visa for Australian citizens, the same power plugs, and a reciprocal health care agreement. The catch most people miss: Australian permanent residents are treated completely differently to Australian citizens.
Your New Zealand trip setup
21 things Australians need to sort. Tick them off as you go.
Entry requirements
Visa-free for Australian citizensUp to Indefinite - Australian citizens are granted a resident visa on arrival View detailsFlights
Compare 3 searchs Search flightsConnectivity
Compare 10 plansFrom $7.50 Compare eSIMsTravel insurance
Compare 7 policysFrom $16.20 Compare insuranceMoney & payments
Compare 5 cards0.43%-0.65% conversion fee Compare cardsAirport transfer
AKL → AucklandFrom $9 Compare optionsDriving
AU licence OKDrives on the left Compare car hireTravel essentials
No adapter neededTap water: safe to drink View guideThings to do
Compare 6 experiencesFrom $60 Explore activitiesPlan your days in New Zealand
A day-by-day itinerary built from things you can book now, with the travel between cities worked out. Pick the kind of trip you want.
Wellness
Rest, move, and come home better than you left New Zealand wellness itinerarySightseeing
Landscapes, landmarks and the views worth the detour New Zealand sightseeing itineraryFood and drink
Eat where the queue is locals, not tourists New Zealand food itineraryHighlights
The best of everything, if you have not decided yet New Zealand highlights itineraryNew Zealand at a glance for Australians
Best time to visit
December-March (summer) and June-September (ski season)
Summer for hiking and road trips, winter for the Queenstown and Ruapehu ski fields.
3h 15m from Sydney (direct)
Busiest month for Australian travellers: January, quietest June. New Zealand travel statistics
Health & safety
Smartraveller: Exercise normal safety precautions
Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with New Zealand covering immediately necessary treatment in public hospitals. It does not cover ambulances, medical evacuation, or getting you home - you still need travel insurance.
Emergency: 111
Money
Card and contactless are accepted almost everywhere, including buses and small cafés.
Widely available. Expect NZD $3-$8 in local ATM fees plus whatever your Australian bank charges.
Tipping: Not expected. There's no tipping culture and no service charge; round up only if you want to.
Language & culture
English
English: Native
Capital: Wellington
Australian dollar to New Zealand dollar
$1.23 NZD per AUD
Last recorded rate
These are mid-market rates - the rate banks trade at, published by the European Central Bank. It is not what you will be offered. Expect a card or exchange service to take 0.5% to 5% off it, which is exactly what our travel money comparison is for. Past movement doesn't predict future rates, and none of this is financial advice.
View the numbers as a table
Where Australians go in New Zealand
Auckland
Queenstown
Christchurch
Wellington
New Zealand FAQs for Australian travellers
Do Australians need a visa for New Zealand?
No. Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport don't need a visa or an NZeTA - you're granted a resident visa on arrival. Australian permanent residents who hold another country's passport do need an NZeTA and must pay the NZD $100 International Visitor Levy before travelling.
Do I need an NZeTA as an Australian?
Not if you're an Australian citizen with an Australian passport. Every other traveller from Australia - including Australian permanent residents and dual citizens travelling on a non-Australian passport - needs one.
Does Medicare cover me in New Zealand?
Partly. The Reciprocal Health Care Agreement covers immediately necessary treatment in New Zealand public hospitals. It doesn't cover ambulance callouts, medical evacuation, ongoing care or repatriation, so travel insurance is still worth having.
Do I need a power adapter for New Zealand?
No. New Zealand uses the same Type I plug and 230V supply as Australia, so your chargers work as-is.
Can I drive in New Zealand on my Australian licence?
Yes, for up to 12 months, as long as your licence is current and in English. You don't need an International Driving Permit.
Planning New Zealand?
We will send you the New Zealand guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.