Forecast by:  | 12 Sep Sat | 13 Sep Sun | 14 Sep Mon | 15 Sep Tue | 16 Sep Wed | 17 Sep Thu | 18 Sep Fri |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | 12° 1° | 14° 6° | 15° 4° | 16° 2° | 10° 5° | 11° 2° | 11° 2° |
| Precipitation | 22% | 80% | 5% | 86% | 96% | 49% | 52% |
| Humidity | 57% | 63% | 59% | 61% | 70% | 67% | 78% |
| Wind | 23 km/h | 20 km/h | 17 km/h | 22 km/h | 17 km/h | 16 km/h | 5 km/h |
Best time to visit Queenstown
The best time to visit Queenstown is from January to April and September to December, when hiking, cycling, lake activities and sightseeing are generally in season. May to August is cooler and more wintry, with skiing available but snow and ice sometimes disrupting roads, flights and excursions.
JanuaryTemp (°C)15°Rain (mm)52Sun Hours7Dry Days21
January is summery, around 9-23°C, with hiking, cycling and lake activities in season. Heavy rain and snowmelt can raise Lake Wakatipu and flood low-lying areas.
FebruaryTemp (°C)15°Rain (mm)60Sun Hours7Dry Days19
February is summery, around 9-23°C, with hiking, biking and lake activities. Rain can occur, and summer holiday demand makes popular places busy.
MarchTemp (°C)14°Rain (mm)100Sun Hours6Dry Days19
March is mild, around 7-20°C, with sunshine, autumn foliage and conditions suited to walking, cycling and sightseeing. Visitor numbers are often manageable.
AprilTemp (°C)11°Rain (mm)122Sun Hours5Dry Days18
April is crisp, around 5-17°C, with red and gold foliage across walks and drives. Rain is possible, while outdoor sightseeing remains practical.
MayTemp (°C)7°Rain (mm)152Sun Hours4Dry Days19
May is cool, around 2-13°C, with autumn colours and early winter conditions. Snow may affect higher roads and outdoor excursions.
JuneTemp (°C)5°Rain (mm)198Sun Hours3Dry Days18
June is wintry, around -1°C to 8°C, with snow supporting early-season skiing. Snow and ice can disrupt mountain roads, flights and excursions.
JulyTemp (°C)4°Rain (mm)150Sun Hours3Dry Days20
July is cold and snowy, around -1°C to 8°C, with skiing in season. Frequent snow and ice can close mountain passes and complicate access to resorts.
AugustTemp (°C)6°Rain (mm)99Sun Hours4Dry Days20
August is snowy, around -1°C to 8°C, with strong ski conditions. Frequent snow and ice can close mountain passes and interrupt flights or excursions.
SeptemberTemp (°C)8°Rain (mm)200Sun Hours5Dry Days18
September is cool, around 5-15°C, with lingering mountain snow, fast full rivers and changeable rainfall. Spring scenery suits walks when conditions allow.
OctoberTemp (°C)11°Rain (mm)102Sun Hours6Dry Days20
October is cool, around 5-15°C, with melting mountain snow, full rivers and variable rain. Walking and sightseeing suit settled days.
NovemberTemp (°C)12°Rain (mm)69Sun Hours7Dry Days20
November is mild, around 5-18°C, with longer days and outdoor activities in season. Heavy rain and snowmelt can raise Lake Wakatipu and flood low-lying areas.
DecemberTemp (°C)14°Rain (mm)50Sun Hours7Dry Days20
December is summery, around 9-23°C, with hiking, biking and lake activities in season. Heavy rain and snowmelt can raise Lake Wakatipu and flood low-lying areas.
Sources: audleytravel.com, en.wikivoyage.org
Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown
Cost: From 219.81 USD · Duration: 13 hours · ★ 4.9 (3,642 reviews)
Premium small group tour including a boutique Milford Sound cruise designed for an immersive viewing experience, and picnic lunch from Queenstown. There is no better way to see this most famous of attractions! Highlights: • Milford Sound Cruise • Fiordland National Park • Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Hollyford River, Homer Tunnel &
Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown
Cost: From 121.59 USD · Duration: 0.4 hours · ★ 4.8 (2,844 reviews)
Prepare yourself for the ultimate jet boating experience with Shotover Jet - the unique, breathtaking white water ride and adrenaline rush you’ll never forget!
Milford Sound Flight and Cruise Tour from Queenstown
Cost: From 473.59 USD · Duration: 4.5 hours · ★ 4.9 (2,184 reviews)
Take an Trip Advisor award-winning scenic flight to Milford Sound, the Eighth Wonder of the World. Leave the queues behind and see it the way it deserves to be seen — from the air, then from the ocean. We will fly you from Queenstown over the Southern Alps with breathtakingly spectacular and endless panoramic views of lakes, forested river valleys,
Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)
Cost: From 47.06 USD · Duration: 1.5 hours · ★ 4.8 (1,565 reviews)
Step aboard a classic Queenstown lake cruise and take in the region’s most iconic views from the water. Million Dollar Cruise is a 90-minute journey across Lake Wakatipu, offering uninterrupted views of the Remarkables, hidden bays, and historic homes — all with live commentary from a local crew who genuinely love what they do. With smaller groups,
Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown
Cost: From 118.46 USD · Duration: 4.5 hours · ★ 4.9 (1,476 reviews)
Awarded Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Top 10 of outdoor experiences Australasia and Top 1% of Experiences worldwide for 2026. Dress up as your favourite character & Feel the trilogy come to life as you visit the breathtaking and magical landscape that inspired Peter Jackson’s film locations from The Lord of the Rings movies. Ithil
NZONE Skydive Queenstown
Cost: From 213.86 USD · Duration: 3.5 hours · ★ 4.7 (1,471 reviews)
See Queenstown like never before as you take the ultimate leap of faith as you tandem skydive. Feel your adrenaline surge as you reach altitude and prepare to jump, before free-falling at terminal velocity reaching speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour.
Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise
Cost: From 100.67 USD · Duration: 3.5 hours · ★ 4.8 (1,369 reviews)
A return scenic cruise from Queenstown Bay, across stunning Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm on a vessel of your choice, a farm demonstration and a delicious BBQ Lunch at the Colonel’s Homestead. The rural demonstrator will give guests an insight into life in the New Zealand high country by providing an entertaining farm show includin
Small-Group Zipline Adventure in Queenstown
Cost: From 70.89 USD · Duration: 2 hours · ★ 4.8 (1,004 reviews)
Find out why Queenstown is New Zealand’s adrenaline capital with this zipline adventure! Launching from the Ziptrek Treehouse at the Skyline Gondola summit, you’ll zipline down the mountain and take in panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and the snow-capped Remarkables mountain range. With three tours to choose from it's fun for everyone - whether you
Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown
Cost: From 163.82 USD · Duration: 12 hours · ★ 4.7 (959 reviews)
Join talented and knowledgeable guides on a journey along one of New Zealand's most scenic drives. All guides have unique and insightful stories to share, and spill the secrets of their beautiful backyard as you travel through lush rainforest, glacier carved valleys, alpine lookouts and much more. Enjoy spectacular short walks and incredible photo
Brief
- Try local specialties including Ferg-style burgers, New Zealand lamb and venison, green-lipped mussels, Central Otago pinot noir, and pavlova.
- Queenstown is an outdoor-adventure destination. Book activities and restaurants ahead during the busy ski and summer seasons, and allow extra time for mountain roads and transfers.
Safety and health
- New Zealand has very high ultraviolet exposure. Use high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat, even on cool or cloudy days. (
wikivoyage.org)
- Tap water is generally safe to drink, but when hiking or tramping do not drink untreated water from rural streams because of Giardia risk. (
- Outdoor conditions can change quickly in the mountains. Use marked tracks, check local conditions before hiking or boating, and carry suitable warm and waterproof clothing. Visitors should have travel insurance because medical treatment may not be subsidised. (
Recent News
- 28 August 2026: A major winter storm caused flooding, slips, rockfalls and evacuations around Queenstown. About 45 people were evacuated and nine homes were affected. The Queenstown Lakes District Council reported road closures or restrictions on routes including Glenorchy-Queenstown Road, Rees Valley Road, Paradise Road, Skippers Road and SH6 between Makarora and Lake Hāwea. Check current road and trail conditions before travelling, especially toward Glenorchy, Wanaka and the West Coast. (
govt.nz |
rnz.co.nz)
- 5 September 2026: Qantas flight QF122 from Queenstown to Sydney diverted to Christchurch after a suspected engine issue and landed safely. The incident was isolated, but passengers flying from Queenstown should check directly with their airline for any schedule or aircraft changes. (
abc.net.au)
