Month guide · Auckland · New Zealand
Auckland in January
What January is really like in Auckland: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ingolfson at English Wikipedia ( Original text: Uploader. ), Public domain
Quick answer
January is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 24°C (75°F), lows of 16°C (61°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 14.4 hours of daylight. Peak summer holidays: warm, often sunny and humid, with beaches, islands and ferries at their busiest.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 24°C (75°F) / 16°C (61°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 14.4 hours
- Sea temperature
- 20°C (68°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in January
January is the 2nd-warmest month in Auckland: days average 24°C (75°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 16°C (61°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with December (22°C (72°F)), January is warmer; by February highs stay near 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:18
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 20:42
- Daylight
- About 14.4 hours
- Sea
- 20°C (68°F)
Autumn (March–May). Often the most settled weather of the year in March and April, with warm seas and quieter islands; cooler and wetter by May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 5 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- ASB Classic tennis tournament (usually early January)
- Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta — harbour sailing (Monday nearest 29 January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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Viewpoint · City Centre
Sky Tower
Go up an hour before sunset to see the city by day and lit up at night on one ticket.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- After dark
- Rainy day
Viewpoint · Mount Eden
Maungawhau / Mount Eden
At 196 metres, Maungawhau is the highest natural point on the Auckland isthmus, with a 50-metre-deep grassed crater, Te Ipu-a-Mataaho, and terraces left by Māori pā settlement.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- History
Island · Hauraki Gulf
Rangitoto Island
There are no shops or water on the island; bring food, water, sun protection and a torch for the lava caves, and check the last ferry time back.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Active
- Views
- Kids
Island · Hauraki Gulf
Waiheke Island
About 40 minutes from downtown by ferry, Waiheke has more than 20 vineyards known for Bordeaux-style reds and syrah, olive groves, art galleries and beaches such as Oneroa and Onetangi.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Couples
- Food
- Outdoors
- Views
- Iconic
What to pack
For highs near 24°C, lows near 16°C and 8 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Auckland?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, February–April and December are better overall. Compare every month.
Auckland in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Auckland?
It is a shoulder-season month. Peak summer holidays: warm, often sunny and humid, with beaches, islands and ferries at their busiest.
+How warm is Auckland in January?
Average highs are around 24°C (75°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Auckland in January?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.