I have not been to New Zeland I feel ashamed of that because I lived In Eastern Australia. In which month of the year have you been ? It is great before the snow and then swim. I had a similar experience visiting in august Tasmania snow on the mountains ( 1200m altitude) and then beaches but I was unable to swim ...... For me it would be another reason to go again to the Southern Pacific
Honestly i cant even remember which month it was, i would say it must have been june/july. I was there for 5 weeks. Swiming was really cold tough, without a wetsuit probably not possible for long. But snorkeling surrounded by hundreds of dolphins was worth every second in the cold water! And the snow on the mountains in new zealand is pretty amazing too! They could improve there skilifts tough ;)
Yeah...its the first time i experienced snow in the morning and ocean in the late afternoon...crazy!!!
Well so it was the months considered as winter season anyway it is a great travelling experience going to "downunder" :)