Travel tips
Weather
Autumn is a great time to visit Queenstown. It runs from March to May, bringing the start of cooler temperatures and a dramatic display of red and gold foliage. Average temperatures range between 5°C to 25°C.
What to pack
You'll need a range of clothes to suit the variable temperatures you're likely to encounter - it’s not uncommon to experience four seasons in one day here! You can expect to have some warm days where a simple T-shirt will be comfortable, with cold nights where a thick down jacket and warm trousers will be important. Queenstown is in mountainous terrain, so the weather can change quickly; expect some cold and wet days. A waterproof coat is great idea.
New Zealand is generally a reasonably informal place, so smart casual clothes will be appropriate for most places you want to go, but you may want to bring something smart for our speectacular Gala Dinner. Smart casual or a suit would be ideal for this. Part of the evening will be spent outside, so bring a warm coat.
Some of our field trips will have specific requirements, so if you want to go on these please check out the instructions for your trip.
Visa and passport requirements
Conference attendance counts as business travel and can be a valid reason to applying for a Business Visitor Visa. Many countries have visa waivers agreed with New Zealand, making it even simpler. All the information you need is on the New Zealand Immigration website.
To avoid problems at immigration, make sure your passport has an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after your date of entry into New Zealand. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
There's loads of great advice on the New Zealand Tourism site.