New Zealand Weather:
What to expect of our Seasons

There's no such thing as the wrong weather in New Zealand, just the wrong clothes!
People are always asking us when the best time to come to New Zealand is and what to expect when it comes to New Zealand weather. And we always say - there's never a bad time to be here! We have four very distinct seasons, from the cold winter months that are perfect for snowboarding and skiing in the Southern Alps, to the warm blossom-filled days of spring, the sunny, blue skies of summer and the clear days and stunning colours of Autumn. The summer and fall weather is perfect for cycle touring and hiking and other activities. Of course, we have some days of rain, but it only magnifies New Zealand's characteristics - throwing stunning waterfalls from high cliff faces, or creating a dramatic backdrop behind the mountains. The weather in New Zealand only enhances the experience. And we always say, there's no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong clothes!

When is the best time to visit New Zealand to make the most of the outdoors?

New Zealand is a mountainous island nation sitting isolated in the Southwest Pacific, and so New Zealand weather tends to be pretty unpredictable. That said, it means that you can come at any time of year and still get glorious days! Here at the bottom of the world (or top, depending on how you look at it!) our seasons are opposite to the Northern hemisphere’s and most people who visit New Zealand choose to come during our summer season, which is December through February. In terms of weather and the seasons, here's what our year looks like, in a nutshell!

Summer Fun

Biking in New Zealand is a perfect summer activity

.Lots of people in New Zealand are mad about the outdoors, and there are people out everywhere trying new sports or passionately pursuing the ones they're currently into. There's always someone to join you if you're heading out on an adventure. Cycling in New Zealand is a popular way of seeing some of the more out of the way places and it's a great way to travel! It sure beats sitting on a coach staring out of the window, or trying to navigate your way round in a hard-to-handle-on-windy-roads campervan! When you're on a bike, you can feel the wind in the hair, the power in your legs (on flat bits anyway) and the pure joy of taking life down to a slower pace.

December - The start of summer, warm weather and a buzz in the air leading up to the holidays. Always a fantastic month to be in New Zealand.

January - Early-summer, warmest month, heaps going on and a great month for being outside hiking, biking, kayaking or any more of the mad sports you can do in New Zealand! There are lots of summer events going on at this time of year, with races of all shapes and sizes most weekends. If you want to enter a 7-hour mountain bike race, an off-road marathon or your first triathlon, January is a good month to do it!

February - Mid-summer and another fabulous and very popular month to be in New Zealand. Races and triathlons are all on throughout the country each weekend, to take part in or just watch! Slap on the sunscreen and wear a hat.

Autumn/Fall - Perfect for Hiking

If you want to escape the busiest season on the trails, then fall months are great for hiking. It's a little cooler, a little quieter, but so beautiful as the leaves on the trees change colour and the first dustings of snow arrive on the hills. As long as you've got a few layers of clothing, you're in for a treat because you will have most of the hiking trails to yourself.

March - Late-summer, warm days, summer breezes and long daylight hours to make the most of being outdoors. Long evenings to spend relaxing or in a hive of activity - the choice is yours.

April - Start of Fall/Autumn - stunning colours as the leaves change colour on the trees. Crisp, clear days and there may be a bite in the air some days so you'll need an extra layer or two, but all in all it's a beautiful month and a great time to be here.

May - Early-winter, temperature dropping, but still some beautiful days.

Winter                                           

Some people don't realise how awesome New Zealand is in the winter!

...apart from our Australian visitors who head across the Tasman to make the most of our winter slopes. If you're not a skier, then it's an amazing time to come winter hiking in New Zealand – the trails are quiet and the mountains all around are snow-capped. There’s even a few hot pools that you can trek to amongst the mountains. There are a number of ski areas throughout the country, but being based in Queenstown we spend most of our time at Cardrona, Treble Cone, the Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Ohau and Mount Hutt.

June - Officially the start of winter and the beginning of the wait for the first snow and the ski fields to open.

July - Winter - ski fields open and it's all go on the mountain! Powder days and being first on the slope for the early morning runs are what it's all about. At the same time, the hiking trails are even more peaceful and serene than normal, so it's an amazing time of year to hike the backcountry valley trails.

August - Winter still and probably one of the best months for snow sports.

Spring

The clocks spring forward, the sun warms up and the days are long.

We all love spring! As much as we can't get enough of winter sports, we're never too sorry when the springtime sun makes an appearance. With lambs bouncing around the fields, daffodils and fruit trees blooming and the longer daylight hours, there's a definite shift in mood. Spring is an excellent time to visit New Zealand and while November tends to be fairly quiet on the tourist front, it's certainly not a bad time to be here. By December, it's getting much more summery and people start planning their summer activities and festive season. Being an adventure tour company, our season really cranks up in early November, so our guides are fresh and excited to be back on the road - we have heaps of trip dates scheduled throughout the season too.

September - Late-winter, snow sports usually still going strong, with the first blossoms starting to appear.

October - A change is in the air as Spring comes around! There are warmer days and longer daylight hours, and everyone shakes off the winter cold.

November - Mid-spring, beautiful days, a little bit windy on occasion, but not too many tourists around.