- 1Summer, December to February, is the warmest season in Queenstown and has very long days: Destination Queenstown describes dawn as early as 5am and dusk around 10pm, and calls it peak season.
- 2NIWA's 1991 to 2020 averages put the typical daily high at 20.2°C in December, 22.0°C in January and 21.8°C in February, with nights of 8.5°C, 9.9°C and 9.5°C.
- 3Pick another season if your goal is different: autumn colour from March to May, snow and skiing from June to August, or a spring mix of skiing and green valleys from September to November.
- 4Plan for sun and for cool mornings and evenings in summer: Destination Queenstown advises warm layers for early mornings and evenings, cooler clothes for hot days, and sunblock and a water bottle.
01 / Short answer
summer is the season most visitors mean, and the numbers back it
If your question is when Queenstown is warmest and has the longest summer days, the answer is summer, December to February. Destination Queenstown, which runs the official Queenstown NZ visitor website, calls summer peak season and describes it as long and dry, with temperatures between 20°C and 30°C. At 45 degrees south, it says, dawn comes as early as 5am and dusk settles around 10pm. NIWA's monthly averages show the same pattern: January and February are the warmest months of the year. In this guide's reasoning, the averages sit near the bottom of Destination Queenstown's range because they are means across a whole month. This guide leads with summer, then sets the other three seasons beside it so you can match the month to what you want to do. It is a planning guide, not a forecast: check the weather for your actual dates before you go.
02 / The numbers
Monthly averages from NIWA, 1991 to 2020
| Month | Mean daily high (°C) | Mean daily low (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 22.0 | 9.9 |
| February | 21.8 | 9.5 |
| March | 19.1 | 7.3 |
| April | 15.2 | 4.5 |
| May | 11.9 | 2.3 |
| June | 8.6 | -0.4 |
| July | 8.2 | -1.4 |
| August | 10.2 | 0.2 |
| September | 13.0 | 2.4 |
| October | 15.4 | 4.4 |
| November | 17.5 | 6.2 |
| December | 20.2 | 8.5 |
03 / Summer, December to February
long days, early light and a sun that needs respect
Destination Queenstown's summer picture is consistent: temperatures between 20°C and 30°C, mild mornings that can turn into hot days, and daylight from as early as 5am until around 10pm. Its advice is practical. Pack warmer layers for early mornings and evenings and cooler clothes for the long, hot days, and carry sunblock and a water bottle, because it says the sun can be extreme in the South Island. The two temperature figures measure different things. NIWA reports the average daily high for each month (20.2°C in December, 22.0°C in January, 21.8°C in February), while Destination Queenstown gives the range you can expect, so, in this guide's reading, plan for hot days above the average as well as cool edges to the day.
04 / What summer is for
The outdoor menu Destination Queenstown lists for summer
These are the summer activities named on the official Queenstown seasons page.
- On the water
Lake Whakatipu options listed include jet boating with one of four operators, parasailing, kayaking, and a lake cruise on a vintage steamship or luxury yacht. It also lists swimming and fishing on the lake and surrounding rivers.
- On foot and by bike
It calls summer peak season for the region's internationally renowned hiking and biking trails, including hikes up into the mountains and mountain bike trails.
- Adrenaline
Skydiving and bungy jumping are named, along with jet boating, four-wheel driving, buggy and dirt bike operators.
- From the air
Scenic helicopter flights from Queenstown to glaciers, mountain tops and picnic stops are listed, and it suggests summer as the time for flight-seeing.
- Road trips
It suggests exploring the outlying towns of Glenorchy, Arrowtown and Kingston.
05 / The other seasons
Match the month to what you want
Temperature ranges and season descriptions below are from Destination Queenstown's seasons pages.
Autumn
March to May, 5°C to 25°C
Winter
June to August, minus 4°C to 8°C
Spring
September to November, 8°C to 22°C
06 / Choosing your month
Decide in this order
- 01Start with your goal
Warm days and long evenings point to December to February. Autumn colour points to March to May. Snow and skiing point to June to August. A ski morning and a green valley afternoon point to September or early October.
- 02Check the averages
Use the NIWA table above to see how warm or cold your month typically is, then check the actual forecast close to your dates.
- 03Allow for peak season
Destination Queenstown calls summer peak season. In this guide's own reasoning, that makes it worth booking the things you care most about early, and confirming details with each operator.
- 04Plan the long day trips
If Milford Sound is on your list, read the Milford Sound timing guide on this site before you fix the date, and check road status for your dates.
07 / Summer packing
Dress for cool mornings and evenings and hot days
Destination Queenstown's guidance for summer, in plain form.
- Early mornings and evenings
Pack warmer layers. NIWA's average night-time low is 8.5°C in December, 9.9°C in January and 9.5°C in February.
- The long, hot days
Pack cooler clothes. Destination Queenstown says mild mornings can make way for hot days.
- Sun protection
Carry sunblock and a water bottle. Destination Queenstown says the sun can be extreme in the South Island.