Mountain town in Otago, New Zealand
Queenstown weather by month and the best time to visit
When to go to Queenstown
Dec–Mar is warm for hiking and lake days; Jul–Aug is ski season. Autumn colors in April. Shoulder months are quieter but some activities pause.
Queenstown weather by month
Average daily high, rainfall and conditions.
- Jan20°121 mm
- Feb20°100 mm
- Mar18°95 mm
- Apr14°98 mm
- May10°121 mm
- Jun8°103 mm
- Jul7°96 mm
- Aug9°89 mm
- Sep11°110 mm
- Oct14°117 mm
- Nov16°109 mm
- Dec19°120 mm
Monthly averages
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C69°F | 10°C50°F | 121 mm | 78% | Pleasant |
| February | 20°C68°F | 10°C50°F | 100 mm | 79% | Pleasant |
| March | 18°C65°F | 8°C47°F | 95 mm | 82% | Pleasant |
| April | 14°C58°F | 6°C43°F | 98 mm | 87% | Cool |
| May | 10°C51°F | 4°C40°F | 121 mm | 92% | Cold |
| June | 8°C46°F | 2°C36°F | 103 mm | 94% | Cold |
| July | 7°C44°F | 1°C35°F | 96 mm | 93% | Cold |
| August | 9°C48°F | 2°C36°F | 89 mm | 91% | Cold |
| September | 11°C52°F | 3°C38°F | 110 mm | 87% | Cool |
| October | 14°C56°F | 4°C40°F | 117 mm | 84% | Cool |
| November | 16°C61°F | 6°C44°F | 109 mm | 81% | Cool |
| December | 19°C66°F | 9°C48°F | 120 mm | 79% | Pleasant |
Best months across New Zealand
| Place | Best months | Warmest month |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Dec–Mar | Feb (24°C) |
| Queenstown | Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar | Jan (20°C) |
| Wellington | Jan–Apr | Feb (19°C) |
| Christchurch | Dec–Mar | Jan (24°C) |
| Rotorua | Nov–Apr | Jan (23°C) |
| Wanaka | Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar | Jan (21°C) |
| Taupo | Nov–Apr | Jan (24°C) |
| Bay of Islands | Dec–Apr | Feb (24°C) |
| Milford Sound | Nov–Apr | Feb (16°C) |
| Lake Tekapo | Nov–Apr | Feb (22°C) |
| Coromandel | Dec–Apr | Feb (24°C) |
| Tauranga | Dec–Apr | Feb (23°C) |
| Dunedin | Dec–Mar | Jan (16°C) |
| Nelson | Dec–Apr | Feb (25°C) |
| Waiheke Island | Dec–Mar | Feb (24°C) |
| Kaikoura | Dec–Mar | Jan (20°C) |
| Franz Josef | Dec–Apr | Feb (19°C) |
Quick answers
What is the best month to visit Queenstown?
Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar. Dec–Mar is warm for hiking and lake days; Jul–Aug is ski season. Autumn colors in April. Shoulder months are quieter but some activities pause.
When is the rainy season in Queenstown?
Rain peaks in January with about 121 mm. No month averages 150 mm or more.
What is the hottest month in Queenstown?
January, with average highs of 20°C (69°F).
How cold does Queenstown get?
The coolest nights are in July, averaging 1°C (35°F).
More about Queenstown
Going to Queenstown solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Queenstown meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- NASA POWER climatology (2001–2020)
- Queenstown Airport
- Orbus Queenstown
- Destination Queenstown
- Department of Conservation
Climate averages are modelled from NASA POWER (MERRA-2) for 2001–2020 at about 50 km resolution, so coasts and valleys can differ a little. Temperatures are adjusted by 4.1°C for the city's elevation. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.