Plan Your Ultimate Rugby Itinerary

With 85,000 visitors travelling to New Zealand especially for the Rugby World Cup 2011 this is one huge Kiwi party. That means September and October are a great time to visit – and not just for rugby fanatics!

So you're here in New Zealand to celebrate Rugby World Cup 2011 along with the locals? Fantastic! You're going to have a great time! With our special travel planning tips, your perfect rugby itinerary is just a few of clicks away. Read on for ideas or check out our Ultimate New Zealand Rugby Itinerary.

If you haven't already done so, you want to get your hands on tickets for at least one Rugby World Cup 2011 match. The biggest matches may already be sold out, but there are still tickets available for pool matches in towns and cities around New Zealand. Even if it's not your home team playing, the atmosphere will ensure you have a fantastic time! And if you can't get a ticket to the match you really wanted to attend, remember that there are Fanzones in locations all around New Zealand. These spots are dedicated to celebrating Rugby World Cup 2011, with live entertainment and big screens for watching the matches along with crowds of other Rugby fans from New Zealand and all around the world.

Once you’ve got your tickets sorted, it’s time to think about your itinerary. The tickets you hold in your hand will be the main factor in planning which New Zealand destinations to visit. Then you can figure out which route you'll take to get from one match to the next, and detours you'd like to take along the way.

Next, you should look into accommodation. New Zealand accommodation, from hotels to hostels, and from boutique accommodation to B&Bs, is selling out fast so it will pay to book ahead instead of just turning up at your destination and hoping for the best! Browse our accommodation section and choose your style.

If you want to save your money for RWC 2011 tickets and partying, budget accommodation such as hostels and holiday parks is a good solution. Imagine the buzz in the communal areas during Rugby World Cup 2011! If you’d like to soak up authentic Kiwi culture (and the excitement about RWC 2011 that every Kiwi radiates!), B&Bs, home stays and farm stays are a great choice of accommodation. For rugby-mad families and groups of mates travelling together, self-contained accommodation and holiday homes are ideal. For the visitor who wants to experience Rugby World Cup 2011 in the lap of luxury, stunning exclusive lodges, villas and boutique accommodation abound. Finally, if you happen to come to New Zealand on business, combine work with the pleasures of Rugby World Cup 2011 while staying in the comfort of executive hotel rooms.

Next, decide whether you're going to get around New Zealand by public transport or rental vehicles. New Zealand’s public transport system is cost-effective, easy to use and gets you all around the country, while rental cars or campervans offer ultimate flexibility. Again, it will pay to book in advance.

Now that accommodation and transport are taken care of, a wealth of activities and attractions await. Aside from the matches themselves, the number-one thing to schedule into your RWC 2011 itinerary is the REAL New Zealand Festival. Comprising of over 1,000 events and taking place all over the country for the entire duration of Rugby World Cup 2011, the REAL New Zealand Festival is the ultimate party and showcase of Kiwi culture. You’ll find anything from fashion shows, food and wine festivals, and sporting events to Maori cultural events, live music and much, much more.

In between cheering for the teams on the Rugby pitch, you’ll want to sample New Zealand’s best activities. Try bungy jumping, go walking and hiking through world-renowned scenery or engage in water activities. Of course there is also excellent shopping (so you can get dressed up just in case you meet that handsome rugby player), and the snow-bunnies amongst you can experience first-class spring skiing and snowboarding! Indoors, stunning New Zealand museums and galleries await and there are heaps of family-friendly activities such as wildlife encounters.

If you get hungry you can sample local delicacies on farmers’ markets, or visit one of New Zealand’s world-class restaurants. New Zealand’s chefs are cooking up a storm with the freshest local ingredients to showcase Kiwi cuisine. Another great culinary adventure is trying a Maori hangi meal.

From accommodation and transport to activities, on destination-nz.com you have everything you need at your fingertips, and you can book right here and now. And once you’ve made up your personal RWC 2011 itinerary, why not practise singing the New Zealand national anthem, or taking our Rugby Crash Course if you’re a newbie to New Zealand’s national game?!