Month guide · Queenstown · New Zealand
Queenstown in December
What December is really like in Queenstown: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Steve & Jem Copley, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Queenstown. Expect average highs of 20°C (68°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 15.6 hours of daylight. Early summer and the build-up to the Christmas holidays; very long evenings for lake and trail time.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 20°C (68°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 15.6 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the 3rd-warmest month in Queenstown: days average 20°C (68°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with November (17°C (63°F)), December is warmer; by January highs climb to around 22°C (72°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 05:53
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 21:29
- Daylight
- About 15.6 hours
Autumn (March–May). Calm days, crisp mornings and golden poplars around Arrowtown in April; quieter and cheaper by May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
December has no major recurring festival in Queenstown, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in December
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Garden · Queenstown Town Centre
Queenstown Gardens
The peninsula park beside the town centre has a rose garden, mature trees, a disc-golf course, the Queenstown Ice Arena, a playground and a lakeside path with views of the Remarkables and Kelvin Heights.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Views
Historic site · Arrowtown
Arrowtown and the Chinese Settlement
Visit in late April for the gold and red autumn trees, and borrow a gold pan to try your luck in the Arrow River.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Kids
Nature · Bob's Peak
Ben Lomond Track
From the top of the gondola, this demanding track climbs to the Ben Lomond saddle and on to the 1,748-metre summit, with views across Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables and Mount Aspiring on clear days.
- Time needed
- 6–8 hours return from town
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Views
- Nature
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Queenstown Hill
Queenstown Hill Time Walk
Allow two to three hours return and go in the late afternoon for softer light on the lake.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near 20°C, lows near 9°C and 10 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Queenstown?
One of the best months to visit Queenstown. The other best months are January–March and July–August. Compare every month.
Queenstown in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Queenstown?
It is one of the best months to visit Queenstown. Early summer and the build-up to the Christmas holidays; very long evenings for lake and trail time.
+How warm is Queenstown in December?
Average highs are around 20°C (68°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Queenstown in December?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.