Month guide · Queenstown · New Zealand
Queenstown in August
What August is really like in Queenstown: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: fr:Utilisateur:FRED The original uploader was FRED at French Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
August is one of the best months to visit Queenstown. Expect average highs of 9°C (48°F), lows of 0°C (32°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 10.3 hours of daylight. Reliable snow and slightly longer days; still cold and busy at weekends.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 9°C (48°F) / 0°C (32°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 10.3 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in August
August is the 10th-warmest month in Queenstown: days average 9°C (48°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 0°C (32°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with July (7°C (45°F)), August is warmer; by September highs climb to around 12°C (54°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 07:43
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 17:57
- Daylight
- About 10.3 hours
Spring (September–November). Spring skiing in September, lupins and lambs by November, and the most changeable weather of the year.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
- Winter Pride (usually late August to early September)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Lake Wakatipu
TSS Earnslaw cruise
The coal-fired twin-screw steamship, launched in 1912, still crosses Lake Wakatipu from Steamer Wharf to Walter Peak High Country Farm.
- Time needed
- 1.5–4 hours with a farm visit
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Views
Experience · Gibbston
Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge bungy
Combine watching or jumping with lunch at a Gibbston winery a few minutes up the road.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Active
- Views
Experience · Arthurs Point
Shotover Jet
Jetboats skim through the narrow rock canyons of the Shotover River at high speed, passing within metres of the cliffs and spinning 360 degrees.
- Time needed
- 1 hour including transfers
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Kids
- Iconic
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Nature · Frankton
The Remarkables
Even without skiing, drive to the ski-area car park on a clear day for views back across the Wakatipu Basin.
- Time needed
- Half to full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Active
- Views
- Nature
- Iconic
- Kids
What to pack
For highs near 9°C, lows near 0°C and 9 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Queenstown?
One of the best months to visit Queenstown, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are July and December–March. Compare every month.
Queenstown in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Queenstown?
It is one of the best months to visit Queenstown. Reliable snow and slightly longer days; still cold and busy at weekends.
+How warm is Queenstown in August?
Average highs are around 9°C (48°F) and lows around 0°C (32°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Queenstown in August?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.