Season guide · Christchurch · New Zealand
Christchurch in spring
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Yvanyblog, Public domain
Quick answer
Blossom, daffodils and lambs, with changeable weather and the lively Cup and Show Week in November. Expect highs up to 19°C (66°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F), with about 22 rainy days across September–November.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 5°C (41°F) to 19°C (66°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 22
- Sea
- 11°C (52°F) to 13°C (55°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 15°C (59°F) | 5°C (41°F) | 7 | 11.9 h | 2/5 |
| October | 17°C (63°F) | 7°C (45°F) | 8 | 13.4 h | 3/5 |
| November | 19°C (66°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 7 | 14.7 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 17°C (63°F) against a yearly 17°C (63°F), and 22 of the year's roughly 90 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- November: New Zealand Cup and Show Week — horse racing and the Canterbury A&P Show (usually mid-November)
Good choices for spring
Museum · Christchurch Airport
International Antarctic Centre
Schedule it on your arrival or departure day, as it is a few minutes from the terminal.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Market · Central City
Riverside Market
Opened in 2019 beside the Avon, this covered market has greengrocers, butchers, bakers and cheese stalls downstairs and food counters, bars and restaurants on several levels, from dumplings to Canterbury produce.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Architecture · Central City
Tūranga central library
Head to the upper levels for a view over Cathedral Square and the rebuilding cathedral.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Architecture
Museum · Wigram
Air Force Museum of New Zealand
At the former Wigram air base, where New Zealand military aviation began, the museum displays restored aircraft from early biplanes to Skyhawks and helicopters.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Free
- History
Gallery · Central City
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
Look for the large outdoor works around the building and nearby streets, part of the gallery's public art programme.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
Day trips in spring
- Arthur's Pass (About 2 hours by car or 2 hours 30 minutes by TranzAlpine) — The highest pass across the Southern Alps has short walks to waterfalls such as the Devil's Punchbowl, cheeky kea parrots and alpine scenery.
- Castle Hill (Kura Tāwhiti) (About 1 hour 20 minutes by car) — On the road to Arthur's Pass, giant limestone boulders scattered across tussock hills form a surreal landscape that is a site of significance to Ngāi Tahu and a popular spot for walking and bouldering.
What to pack
- Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Christchurch?
It is a trade-off: Blossom, daffodils and lambs, with changeable weather and the lively Cup and Show Week in November. The best months overall are December–March.
+What is the weather like in Christchurch in spring?
Highs of up to 19°C (66°F) and lows around 5°C (41°F), with about 22 rainy days over the season.