Month guide · Queenstown · New Zealand
Queenstown in March
What March is really like in Queenstown: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bgabel, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
March is one of the best months to visit Queenstown. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 8°C (46°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 12.5 hours of daylight. Early autumn with calm, sunny days and cooler nights; grape harvest begins in Central Otago.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 8°C (46°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in March
March is the 4th-warmest month in Queenstown: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 8°C (46°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with February (22°C (72°F)), March is cooler; by April highs drop to around 15°C (59°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 07:42
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 20:08
- Daylight
- About 12.5 hours
Winter (June–August). Ski season at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, frosty sunny days and a lively après scene; book well ahead for July school holidays.
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
March has no major recurring festival in Queenstown, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in March
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Nature · Arrowtown
Lake Hayes walk
Go early on a windless morning for the reflections photographers come for.
- Time needed
- 2–2.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Nature
- Kids
Nature · Moke Lake Road
Moke Lake
A quiet lake in a mountain valley about 15 minutes' drive from town, the last part on a gravel road.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Historic site · Shotover River
Skippers Canyon
Most rental-car agreements exclude Skippers Road; go with a 4WD tour or a jetboat-and-tour combination.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Views
- Active
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
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 8°C and 8 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is March a good time to visit Queenstown?
One of the best months to visit Queenstown. The other best months are July–August and December–February. Compare every month.
Queenstown in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Queenstown?
It is one of the best months to visit Queenstown. Early autumn with calm, sunny days and cooler nights; grape harvest begins in Central Otago.
+How warm is Queenstown in March?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Queenstown in March?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.