Best time to visit · Queenstown · New Zealand
The best time to visit Queenstown
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: André Richard Chalmers, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Queenstown has two peak seasons: December to March for warm weather, hiking, cycling and lake activities, and July and August for skiing. February and March often have the most settled summer weather with fewer crowds. Late autumn (April) is beautiful for colours, while May and October are quiet shoulder months between seasons.
Key facts
- Best months
- July–August and December–March
- Shoulder season
- April, June and September–November
- Warmest month
- January (avg high 22°C (72°F))
- Coldest month
- July (avg high 7°C (45°F))
- Rainiest month
- October (~10 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- May and October
Seasons
Queenstown has a semi-continental climate for New Zealand: warm, dry summers with long evenings, crisp autumns, cold winters with frost and snow on the surrounding mountains, and changeable springs. Weather in the mountains can differ sharply from the lakefront.
December–February
Summer
Warm, long days for hiking, biking, lake swimming and wine touring, with the busiest roads and highest summer prices.
March–May
Autumn
Calm days, crisp mornings and golden poplars around Arrowtown in April; quieter and cheaper by May.
June–August
Winter
Ski season at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, frosty sunny days and a lively après scene; book well ahead for July school holidays.
September–November
Spring
Spring skiing in September, lupins and lambs by November, and the most changeable weather of the year.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°C | 10°C | 9 | 15.2 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| February | 22°C | 10°C | 7 | 14 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| March | 19°C | 8°C | 8 | 12.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| April | 15°C | 5°C | 8 | 10.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 11°C | 2°C | 9 | 9.5 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| June | 8°C | 0°C | 9 | 8.8 h | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 7°C | -1°C | 8 | 9.1 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 9°C | 0°C | 9 | 10.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 12°C | 2°C | 9 | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 15°C | 4°C | 10 | 13.5 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| November | 17°C | 6°C | 9 | 14.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 20°C | 9°C | 10 | 15.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | New Year celebrations on the lakefront (31 December–1 January) |
| April | Arrowtown Autumn Festival (usually April) |
| June | Queenstown Winter Festival (usually late June); Ski season opening (usually mid-to-late June) |
| July | Matariki — Māori New Year public holiday (date varies, June or July) |
| August | Winter Pride (usually late August to early September) |
| November | Queenstown Marathon (usually mid-November) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in May and October, and the sights are quietest in May and October.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Summer | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Spring | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Queenstown?
Queenstown has two peak seasons: December to March for warm weather, hiking, cycling and lake activities, and July and August for skiing. February and March often have the most settled summer weather with fewer crowds. Late autumn (April) is beautiful for colours, while May and October are quiet shoulder months between seasons.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Queenstown?
Usually in May and October. Quiet shoulder month between seasons, with cold mornings and fresh snow on the peaks; some operators reduce schedules.
+What is the rainiest month in Queenstown?
October, with about 10 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Queenstown get?
The warmest month, January, averages highs of 22°C (72°F) and lows of 10°C (50°F).