Best Time To Visit New Zealand

Because it’s the ski season prices for accommodation and activities in the most popular tourist towns are inflated. Daylight hours are also short with sunrise around 8 am and the sun setting before 5 pm so there’s less time to pack your day with activities. June usually marks the beginning of the ski season, although exact dates depend on conditions. Kiwis who don’t like skiing tend to vacation in the tropical Pacific Islands during winter. This means there’s more room for international visitors who wish to visit. New Zealand is an island nation with a lot of rain.

In fact, countless people come here specifically in winter to ski and snowboard, as Queenstown is a renowned winter destination. Ski and snowboard season runs from late June to mid-October, depending on snow levels. Regarding accommodations, once again, Summer months are the peak season. You have both international tourists and locals traveling around New Zealand. Book as soon as you can if you plan to travel during this period. In autumn, New Zealand enjoys some of the most settled weather of the whole year.

This is completely different from the seasons in Europe, North America, etc. New Zealand ranges from a sub-tropical climate to a sub-Antarctic one , so to it’s important to know how the weather will affect your plans and the kinds of experiences you want to have. April in New Zealand is the prime month for viewing the changing of the leaves. Tourism also dies down significantly after the Easter holiday so accommodation may be easier to come by.

New Zealand is made up of the North Island of New Zealand and the South Island of New Zealand, which are both completely surrounded by water. If you’re a wine lover, then Western Australia is the destination for you. The diversity of local flavours is abundant in the many wineries scattered throughout the country.

Trip Types

If you plan to spend the night in a DOC hut, you will need a light sleeping bag. Inclement weather conditions may require you to bring extra layers. The diverse coastline offers everything, from lazy days to epic adventures. NZ kids are back at school and the “sauv the fridge; this is high summer. There is no shortage of festivals and sporting events to choose from.

Auckland’s average high temperature is 18 degrees Celsius and its average low temperature is 11 degrees Celsius. This means the trails are safe to walk again and you can book nights at the comfortable Department of Conservation huts. In Queenstown, the average high temperature is 13degC and the average low is 2degC. Although November is technically still spring, it shifts towards summery conditions.

We’ll be discussing the pros and cons for each season of New Zealand to help you choose the best time of year to visit. Covering all seven continents, The world your way shows you how you can see the world with us. It features trip ideas from our specialists alongside hand-picked stays and experiences, and introduces our approach to creating meaningful travel experiences. The country’s rugged beauty, varied landscapes and stunning views make it an amazing destination to visit any time of the year.