When to go to Queenstown (NZ)?

Set in a bay of Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkables rising straight out of the far shore, Queenstown made its name on adrenaline: bungee cords, paragliders and jet boats are all part of the local economy. Milford Sound and the rest of Fiordland are within reach for a long day out. Arrowtown, just up the valley, keeps its gold-rush cottages and a far slower pulse.
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The best time to go
For the best weather in Queenstown (NZ), aim for January to February, December.
See also: Where to go in January? · Where to go in February? · Where to go in December?
Month-by-month weather in Queenstown (NZ)
| Month | ☀️ h/day | 🌧️ mm | 🌡️ °C | Score /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11.6 | 76 | 17 | 74 |
| February | 10.7 | 109 | 16 | 67 |
| March | 9.6 | 100 | 14 | 63 |
| April | 7.9 | 122 | 12 | 55 |
| May | 5.9 | 106 | 9 | 48 |
| June | 4.8 | 106 | 5 | 43 |
| July | 4.4 | 108 | 4 | 42 |
| August | 6.7 | 133 | 5 | 48 |
| September | 7.4 | 233 | 7 | 42 |
| October | 9.2 | 161 | 9 | 55 |
| November | 10.6 | 103 | 12 | 65 |
| December | 11.7 | 96 | 16 | 71 |
Estimated from 3 years of data. The score (0–100) combines sunshine, dry weather, clear skies and temperature.
The climate in brief
In Queenstown (NZ), the sunniest month is December, and the driest is January (about 76 mm). Temperatures peak in January (about 17°C). Over the year, an average of 1,456 mm of rain falls, and 3 months in 12 offer ideal weather for a trip.
What to do in Queenstown (NZ)?
- Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables
- Fiordland and Milford Sound
- Paragliding and bungee jumping
- Arrowtown
Practical info
- Country: New Zealand
- Airport: Queenstown (ZQN)
Destinations near Queenstown (NZ)
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