Whether you’re coming for sightseeing or adventuring, Queenstown is one of the most ideal holiday destinations in New Zealand year-round.
What month or season gets you fantastic weather and great deals? The truth is, it’s always the best time to visit Queenstown! Choose the dates of your next trip with our helpful Queenstown travel guide.
Things to Consider when Visiting Queenstown
Queenstown Weather and Seasons:
When planning your Queenstown trip, considering each day’s average temperature is essential. Check with the local meteorology service to stay up-to-date.
Cost and Prices:
Booking in Queenstown’s shoulder seasons is a great way to take advantage of off-peak season prices.
Where to Stay:
Queenstown accommodation options include luxurious town-centre hotels, authentic rural B&Bs, backpacker hostels, and family-friendly motels. Book early to get the best deals on your accommodation.
Queenstown Autumn
Months: March, April and May
Temperature: 6-16°C
Rainfall: 30-50mm
For a quieter period with sunny weather, the best time to go to Queenstown is in autumn. However, make sure you bring plenty of layers to stay warm with the ever-changing weather in Queenstown.
Ride the Skyline Gondola:
Take a scenic ride in the Skyline Gondola up to Bob’s Peak, where you can expect jaw-dropping views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Queenstown.
Go on a Hike:
Queenstown is an ideal base for hiking the Great Walks of New Zealand. Hike routes include the Routeburn and Milford Tracks and the iconic Ben Lomond. If hiking isn’t your thing, take a bike ride along the Arrowtown to Gibbston Valley trail.
Go Ziplining, bungy jumping, or do a Canyon Swing:
Autumn is one of the best times to visit for ziplining, bungy jumping, and canyon swinging. Get your adrenaline on and feel the rushing autumn breeze in New Zealand’s Adventure Capital.
Arrowtown Autumn Festival:
The vibrant Arrowtown Autumn Festival events include an art exhibition, juggling workshops for kids, gold panning championships, and more.
Queenstown Winter
Months: June, July and August
Temperature: 2-6°C
Rainfall: 30-60mm
Cool, crisp, and sometimes a little wet, winter is not always ideal for outdoor activities. But, toward July, ski season is in full swing.
Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snowmobiling:
Queenstown’s cold weather is a great time to enjoy world-class ski fields. All are within easy access, offering quality snow and terrain for all skier, snowboarder, and snowmobiler levels.
Queenstown Winter Festival:
The Winter Festival is an action-packed event offering live entertainment to celebrate the snowy season.
Spring is the quietest time, where the sun starts to rise around 8 am and sets at 7 pm. However, you can still get some winter sports action and see snow on the mountains in early spring.
Explore Milford Sound:
Join a coach tour or a more intimate scenic flight to witness stunning glacier-carved valleys, snow-covered alps, alpine lakes, and ancient forests.
The Jazz Festival:
The Jazz Fest provides over 40 free events and ticketed concerts featuring smooth blues, big band swing, and funk bands.
Scenic Flight over the Wakatipu Basin:
Helicopter flights will reveal incredible views of imposing mountain peaks, dramatic glaciers, and the stunning Lake Wakatipu.
Cherry Blossoms in Bloom:
The Village Green, Queenstown Gardens, Lake Esplanade, and Walter Peak Homestead offer incredible views of flowering cherry trees bursting with colour in spring.
Queenstown Summer
Months: December, January and February
Temperature: 14-18°C
Rainfall: 20-80mm
With warmer weather, summer is the most popular time to visit, especially for crazy adventure sports and activities. Be aware of the summer school holidays – refer here for dates.
Explore the Lakes and Rivers on a Jet Boat Tour:
Enjoy summer days on Queenstown’s waterways with a jet boating tour. Experience fast-paced thrills and delightfully near misses as you hurtle through narrow canyon walls.
Swim at the Beach:
Take a refreshing dip during daylight hours in warm weather. Visit Queenstown Bay beach, Sunshine Bay, Kelvin Heights beach, or Bob’s Cove.
Whitewater Rafting and Canyoning:
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.
Discover more amazing things to see and do in Queenstown
Visit Skyline’s blog page for more of the best activities to fill your days and nights here in Queenstown.