Season guide · Queenstown · New Zealand
Queenstown in winter
June–August: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bgabel, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Ski season at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, frosty sunny days and a lively après scene; book well ahead for July school holidays. Expect highs up to 9°C (48°F) and lows around -1°C (30°F), with about 26 rainy days across June–August. July–August are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- June–August
- Temperatures
- -1°C (30°F) to 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 26
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in winter
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 8°C (46°F) | 0°C (32°F) | 9 | 8.8 h | 3/5 |
| July | 7°C (45°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 8 | 9.1 h | 5/5 |
| August | 9°C (48°F) | 0°C (32°F) | 9 | 10.3 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 8°C (46°F) against a yearly 15°C (59°F), and 26 of the year's roughly 105 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in winter
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- June: Queenstown Winter Festival (usually late June)
- 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)
Good choices for winter
Zoo · Queenstown Town Centre
Kiwi Birdlife Park
A small conservation park at the base of the gondola with kiwi in nocturnal houses, tuatara and native birds such as kea and kākā.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Rainy day
Experience · Arthurs Point
Onsen Hot Pools
Book an evening slot in winter to soak under the stars after a day on the slopes.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Expensive
- Couples
- After dark
- Views
- Rainy day
Day trips in winter
- Wānaka (About 1 hour by car via the Crown Range) — A quieter lakeside town on Lake Wānaka known for the lone willow in the lake, Roys Peak's ridge-line views and Puzzling World.
- Te Anau (About 2 hours by car) — The gateway to Fiordland on Lake Te Anau, with boat trips to the Te Anau glowworm caves and short walks on the Kepler Track.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers
- Shoes with good grip for icy pavements
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is winter a good time to visit Queenstown?
Yes: July–August are among the best months. Ski season at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, frosty sunny days and a lively après scene; book well ahead for July school holidays.
+What is the weather like in Queenstown in winter?
Highs of up to 9°C (48°F) and lows around -1°C (30°F), with about 26 rainy days over the season.