Month guide · Auckland · New Zealand
Auckland in March
What March is really like in Auckland: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ingolfson, Public domain
Quick answer
March is one of the best months to visit Auckland. Expect average highs of 23°C (73°F), lows of 15°C (59°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 12.4 hours of daylight. Warm, settled weather continues with fewer crowds; a favourite month for Waiheke and hiking.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 23°C (73°F) / 15°C (59°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 12.4 hours
- Sea temperature
- 20°C (68°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in March
March is the 3rd-warmest month in Auckland: days average 23°C (73°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 15°C (59°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with February (25°C (77°F)), March is cooler; by April highs drop to around 21°C (70°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 07:20
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 19:41
- Daylight
- About 12.4 hours
- Sea
- 20°C (68°F)
Winter (June–August). Mild but wet and windy, with rare frosts; museums, food and lower hotel rates make up for shorter days.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: March is one of the pricier months.
Events in March
- Auckland Arts Festival (usually March)
- Pasifika Festival — Pacific culture and food (usually March, in most years)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in March
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Beach · West Coast
Piha Beach and the Waitākere Ranges
Piha has strong rips; swim only between the lifeguard flags, which are usually in place on summer weekends and holidays.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Active
Museum · Auckland Domain
Auckland War Memorial Museum
The neoclassical museum on Pukekawa hill in the Domain houses major Māori and Pacific collections, including the carved meeting house Hotunui and the war canoe Te Toki a Tapiri, alongside natural history galleries with moa skeletons and a volcano gallery, and New Zealand's war memorial halls.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Gallery · City Centre
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Combine it with a walk through Albert Park and the University of Auckland's old Clock Tower next door.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Waterfront · City Centre
Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter
The redeveloped waterfront west of the ferry terminal links the Viaduct marina, built for the America's Cup, with Wynyard Quarter's Silo Park, playgrounds, the Auckland Fish Market and harbourside restaurants via the Te Wero bascule bridge.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- Kids
- Couples
What to pack
For highs near 23°C, lows near 15°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 March a good time to visit Auckland?
One of the best months to visit Auckland, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are February, April and December. Compare every month.
Auckland in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Auckland?
It is one of the best months to visit Auckland. Warm, settled weather continues with fewer crowds; a favourite month for Waiheke and hiking.
+How warm is Auckland in March?
Average highs are around 23°C (73°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Auckland in March?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.