When to go to Queenstown (NZ)?

Queenstown (NZ) (New Zealand)
Photo: Lawrence Murray from Perth, Australia · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

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🌡️ °CScore /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)?

Practical info

Destinations near Queenstown (NZ)

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