Updated June 23, 2020.

I don’t think packing is anyone’s favorite part of traveling, but I do know every traveler has to do it! In some ways, packing for a place with such a different climate than one’s own is easier because you can pack well in advance. But packing for two weeks in any climate can be a challenge! So if you find yourself needing to pack for a two week trip to New Zealand, your guide is here! The photo links below are affiliated with Amazon. Click to get yours!

Climate:

Since we would be in Sydney, Australia, and in several cities on New Zealand’s South Island in their winter months, the climate ranged from the 30s to the 60s Fahrenheit (0-20 Celsius).

Activities:

We planned to be working out, hiking, walking around various cities and historic sites, and doing a lot of driving, so we aimed for comfortable clothing that could go from a hike in the mountains to a walk through a museum, plus exercise gear that could be washed out and reworn easily.

On the Plane

Getting to New Zealand was a journey in itself. We flew from Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Houston (IAH) to Sydney, Australia (SYD). After 24 hours there, we flew from SYD to Christchurch, New Zealand (CHC). That first part of the journey from IAD-SYD took us nearly 24 hours, so comfort was the top priority! Yoga pants, white camisole, green top, light scarf. Plus, my trusty running shoes got me where I needed to be! These pants below are awesome for the plane, working out, or just walking around town, and they dry quickly so I can wash them while I’m gone.

Tops

In addition to the top I wore on the long-haul flight, I also packed four long-sleeved, moisture-wicking shirts. They are easy to wash and dry, and they work for a chilly run, hike, or sitting in the car (this was a road trip after all!). I also put in a couple of workout tops with built-in bras for workouts indoors, or for a base layer under one of the long-sleeved shirts if needed!

Bottoms

In addition to my yoga pants, I chose to pack fleece-lined leggings for those colder days, a quick-dry pair of running pants, and a pair of shorts on their last leg. I’ll be leaving the pink pants and the shorts behind at the end of the trip. One of my best travel tips is to pack things you can wear a few more times and then toss them to make room for other things!

Warm Accessories

Because we knew we might encounter snow, wind, and below-freezing temperatures on occastion, I knew I needed to bring warm accessories that also pack well. My essentials are a knit hat, ear warmer, and an infinity scarf. The puffy boots are both warm and pack very well, the black vest has a zillion pockets so I don’t have to take a purse with me wherever I go, the purple jacket is thick and good for latering, and the red rain coat can layer on top of any or all of the other layers for maximum dryness and warmth!

Undies and Socks

If I’m going somewhere for a week, I’ll take seven pair of underwear. If I’m going anywhere much longer than that, I know I’ll have to do a little laundry anyway, so I might as well take only 4-5 pair of underwear that will wash and dry quickly. The same goes for socks! I like to pack mesh underwear because it definitely dries faster than any other fabric. I also use a panty-liner every day I’m on travel to help me feel fresher always. I also packed a couple of sports bras.

Are you ready for your own trip to New Zealand in the winter? I hope this list helps you decide what to pack!

As always, all my pro packing tips are on my Packing Page, and you can find everything you need to know about traveling to New Zealand on my New Zealand Page!

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