With stunning snowy mountains in winter and warm sunny days in summer, Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s top holiday destinations all year round. Whether you’re visiting for sightseeing or adventure, discover the best months to visit Queenstown in our guide.
Queenstown temperature by month
Queenstown weather varies greatly across the seasons. Check with the local meteorology service to stay up to date. The coldest month in Queenstown is usually July, while the hottest month is January.
| Season | Summer | Autumn | Winter | Spring | ||||||||
| Month | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
| Max tempetature (°C) | 20.2 | 22 | 21.8 | 19.1 | 15.2 | 11.9 | 8.6 | 8.2 | 10.2 | 13 | 15.4 | 17.5 |
| Min temperature (°C) | 8.5 | 9.9 | 9.5 | 7.3 | 4.5 | 2.3 | -0.4 | -1.4 | 0.2 | 2.4 | 4.4 | 6.2 |
| Mean temperature (°C) | 14.3 | 15.9 | 15.6 | 13.2 | 9.8 | 7.1 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 5.2 | 7.7 | 9.9 | 11.9 |
| Monthly rainfall (mm) | 60.3 | 71.6 | 51 | 49.3 | 57.5 | 75.1 | 62.2 | 55.8 | 52.8 | 62.3 | 62.4 | 60.7 |
| Monthly total sunshine (hours) | 212.6 | 236.9 | 209.3 | 180 | 136.2 | 83.8 | 69.3 | 85.2 | 119.5 | 151 | 197 | 217.9 |
Data credit: niwa.co.nz
When are the busiest months in Queenstown?
Summer and winter are usually the busiest times in Queenstown. In summer, long daylight hours draw visitors to the lakes, trails and adventure activities. In winter, the cooler weather and high snow coverage bring skiers and snowboarders from around the world.
January and July tend to be the busiest months, when the school holidays overlap with peak summer and ski season. Booking in autumn or spring is a great way to take advantage of off-peak prices.
Queenstown in summer
Image credit: queenstownnz.co.nz
With warmer weather and long daylight hours, summer is the most popular time to visit Queenstown, especially for adventurous outdoor activities. Make sure to book ahead for accommodation and attractions — the summer school holidays get busy! Check education.govt.nz for exact holiday dates.
Things to do during summer in Queenstown
- Spend summer days on Queenstown’s waterways with a jet boating tour. Experience fast-paced thrills and delightful near misses as you hurtle through narrow canyon walls.
- Cool off with a quick dip at Queenstown Bay beach, Sunshine Bay, Kelvin Heights beach, or Bob’s Cove.
- The Shotover River offers some of the best whitewater action. Ride the rapids on this grade 3-5 river and float through a 170m-long tunnel.
- Hit the Ben Lomond trails for a wide range of tracks designed to challenge intermediate and advanced riders. In summer, Skyline Queenstown’s Mountain Bike Uplift takes you and your bike up the hill, so you can spend less time climbing and more time riding down.
- Go horse riding through the South Island high country with experienced local operators.
- Catch a summer sporting event, like the epic Queenstown Marathon or the New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort.
Find more summer things to do in Queenstown!
Queenstown in autumn
Image credit: pinewood.co.nz
For sunny days without peak-season crowds, visit Queenstown in autumn. Enjoy golden colours as the leaves turn and fall around the lakes and hills. Bring plenty of layers to stay warm in the ever-changing weather.
Things to do during autumn in Queenstown
- Autumn is one of the best times to visit for ziplining, bungy jumping, and canyon swinging. Get your adrenaline on and feel the rushing breeze in New Zealand’s Adventure Capital.
- Take a scenic ride on the Skyline Gondola up to Bob’s Peak, where you can expect jaw-dropping views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Queenstown. End the day with a delicious buffet dinner at Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar.
- Hike some of the best Queenstown walking tracks, including the Queenstown Hill Walk, the Bob’s Cove Track, and the iconic Ben Lomond Track.
- Drive out 20 minutes to join the vibrant Arrowtown Autumn Festival, an annual multi-day event that showcases local community culture and art under gorgeous warm-hued trees.
Queenstown in winter
Image credit: Coronet Peak
Towards July, ski season kicks into full swing! It’s prime time to test your skills at one of Queenstown’s four ski fields. Not into snow sports? You’ll still find plenty of fun things to do indoors during the cooler months.
Things to do during winter in Queenstown
- All of Queenstown’s ski fields are located within 1.5 hours of the town, with Coronet Peak the closest at just 20 minutes away. Pick from exciting runs suited to all skiing and snowboarding levels. Coronet Peak is the only NZ ski field to offer night skiing on select days.
- Early evenings mean a lively nightlife scene. Head into town for a bit of après-ski or bar-hopping, trying out the local craft beers and wines. Or make winter even cooler with a pint at an ice bar.
- Enjoy a touch of pampering between adventures in a soothing hot pool at the Onsen Hot Pools Retreat & Day Spa. Relax in wooden tubs with private views over the Shotover River.
- Head to Skyline Queenstown for a one-of-a-kind Night Luge ride, then take a stargazing tour where you’ll discover the stars from a Southern Hemisphere perspective. Afterwards, enjoy a cup of complimentary hot chocolate or mulled wine at the Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar.
- Take to one of Queenstown’s many annual winter events. Snow Machine is a massive multi-day outdoor festival that takes place in the Remarkables Ski Area, while the NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival is the country’s only adventure filmmakers competition.
Queenstown in spring
Image credit: Chard Farm
Spring is a great season for discovering the Central Otago scenery in milder weather. It’s one of the best times to visit Queenstown if you prefer to travel at a slower pace.
Things to do during spring in Queenstown
- Step aboard the TSS Earnslaw for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Farm. Stroll the gardens, meet the farm animals, watch a sheepdog and shearing demonstration, and settle in for afternoon tea.
- Walk through photo-worthy gardens filled with flowering pink blossoms. The Village Green, Queenstown Gardens, Lake Esplanade, and Walter Peak Homestead offer views of cherry trees bursting with colour.
- Explore the wineries around Queenstown, sipping on rich Central Otago Pinot Noir and crisp Pinot Gris.
- Join a coach tour to Milford Sound, or take a more intimate scenic flight to witness gorgeous glacier-carved valleys, snow-covered alps, alpine lakes, and ancient forests.
What’s the best season to visit Queenstown?
The best time to travel to Queenstown depends on what you want from your trip. Here are a few things to think about when deciding when to go:
Seasonal activities and attractions
While many of Queenstown’s best attractions are available year-round, some offer longer hours in the summer. If you want to experience Queenstown’s world-famous ski and snowboarding scene, visiting in winter is a must. Summer and winter also host most of the big events, from the Queenstown Marathon and the New Zealand Open in summer to Snow Machine and Winter Pride in winter.
Spring and autumn are still great times to visit, especially if you want to get out into nature in more moderate temperatures. Nearby Arrowtown, filled with foliage, has some of the best autumn colours in New Zealand.
Budget and crowds
Queenstown can get pretty busy in summer and winter, so you’ll need to book accommodation, rental cars, and attractions well in advance. Accommodation and tour prices can also rise around busy seasons, so travelling in the shoulder seasons can help cut costs. For Kiwi travellers, the spring and autumn school holidays are an especially good time to visit ahead of the international crowds.
Weather
Temperatures vary a lot through the year, from daytime highs of 22°C in January to lows of over -1°C in July. Queenstown can get rainy year-round, and it gets especially wet in May. January is usually the windiest month. That might not matter much if you plan to spend the trip bar hopping and dining out, but if you want to take on Queenstown’s world-famous outdoor activities, be prepared for the weather!
Hiring a rental car? If you want to drive the iconic Crown Range road to Wānaka via Cardrona in winter, you’ll need snow chains and confident driving skills (or you can take the alternative route through Cromwell).
In summer, the sun rises around 6:00 am and sets at 9:30 pm, giving you plenty of daylight hours to get out and about. In winter, the sun rises around 8:00 am and nightfall starts as early as 5:15 pm. Luckily, there’s still heaps to do after dark, from night skiing at Coronet Peak to a Night Luge ride at Skyline Queenstown.
Discover more things to see and do in Queenstown
Whatever the season, there’s always something to fill your days in Queenstown. Explore the Skyline blog for more travel ideas and build a Queenstown itinerary that suits your pace.
When you’re ready to take in the view, ride the Gondola up to Bob’s Peak, then feel the thrill of racing down the Luge tracks. With experiences for adventurers of every age, Skyline Queenstown offers year-round family fun!
Featured image credit: Coronet Peak