Get into Leaf-peeping this Autumn!

Every autumn hundreds of leaf-peepers hit the roads for one big leaf-peeping road trip, spotting autumn colours and taking beautiful photographs of nature’s firework of colours!

With spring arriving, leaf-peepers in the Northern Hemisphere are out of action, but things are different in New Zealand. Here, autumn is in full swing and the first trees are clad in the most stunning shades of auburn, gold and saffron. So if you’re lucky enough to be on this side of the world, don’t miss the chance for your leaf-peeping debut!

A great way to get started is by attending one of the autumn festivals in the Southern Lakes region. Wanaka’s Festival of Colour takes place from 12 April till 17 April and includes everything from music, theatre and dance to Aspiring Conversations with artists, film and visual arts. The Arrowtown Autumn Festival takes place from 29 April till 8 May. Join in the music, dance, discovery and art events, sample foods and don’t miss out on the street parade on Saturday 30 April!

And then it’s time to hit the road in true leaf-peeping fashion. Hop on a bike, hire a car or pull on your walking boots and start discovering New Zealand’s most stunning colours! Whether you stroll through parks and gardens, hike amongst the autumn-toned trees of New Zealand’s regional parks or hit the road on a scenic leaf-peeping drive – you decide what suits you best.

All you need for your leaf-peeping adventure is a camera, some snacks and a hot thermos for the journey, and maybe a book on New Zealand’s flora and fauna so you know what trees you are peeping! The destination-nz.com team has put together a list of New Zealand’s most stunning leaf-peeping areas just in case you get stuck for ideas!