Is it worth visiting New Zealand in winter?
Here’s what to expect from the winter months in New Zealand.
Winter in New Zealand is opposite to winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The season lasts from June to August, and the coldest month is typically July.
As a local, I like travelling New Zealand in winter — I come from the North Island where snow rare and even hail is a novelty. Seeing snowy mountains in the South Island is incredible for me.
Winter is also the quietest and cheapest time of year in New Zealand. You can get pretty good deals on activities, and accommodation prices drop down.
Outside of ski towns like Queenstown and Ohakune, winter is a great time to travel New Zealand if you like to have places all to yourself.
But what kind of weather will you be in for?
As New Zealand is such a long country, with varied terrain, winter temperatures vary widely from the North Island to the South Island.
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth visiting during winter, here’s what you need to know about the temperature, daylight, and more.
jump ahead.
Key takeaways
Average winter temperatures range from 12 - 16˚C (53 - 61˚F)
Pros of New Zealand in winter:
Smaller crowds, better deals on accommodation and activities
Incredible sunrises (that you don’t have to wake up super early for)
Stunning winter scenery and snowy landscapes in the South Island
Cons of New Zealand in winter:
Limited daylight hours for activities
Weather disruptions such as cancelled activities and closed roads are more likely
Some highlights, like the Great Walks, have limited accessibility during winter
What are the winter months in New Zealand?
New Zealand’s winter months are from June-August, opposite to winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The coldest month is typically July.
September isn’t officially winter (we measure seasons by calendar months in New Zealand) but it’s usually still cold, and the ski season runs until mid-September.
When does winter start in New Zealand?
In New Zealand we mark the start of seasons with the calendar date, so winter in New Zealand officially starts on 1 June.
Unofficially, winter weather can arrive earlier than that, with snow and cold weather arriving in May.
Winter ends at the end of August, but snow in the South Island usually sticks around into September. Ski fields don’t close until mid September, and you’ll need to pack your warm woollies if you’re travelling in early spring.
New Zealand weather in winter
Average winter temperatures range from 12 - 16˚C (53 - 61˚F)
Winter in the North Island can be gloomy, grey and wet.
The weather is usually cool, with a lot of overcast days and rain.
Usually, Auckland in July gets 15 days of rain on average, compared to 6 days of rain in Christchurch. In August one year, we had rain every day in Auckland for three weeks straight.
It never gets too cold in the North Island though — I have been on campervan trips around Wellington and Cape Palliser in late June and was never too cold.
An extra blanket and a hot water bottle were enough to keep me warm. I didn’t need a plug in heater.
The dampness and darkness do mean I spent more of that time reading in my van instead of sitting outside though.
The South Island is much colder than the North in winter.
Winter is actually the dry season in Christchurch and Queenstown. The weather tends to be drier, with more bright, clear, bluebird days, but because the temperatures are colder you do need to pack more gear.
It’s pretty common for people from the North Island to arrive in Queenstown and immediately go shopping for warmer clothes, because they packed too lightly (I am definitely guilty of this).
How cold does it get in New Zealand in winter?
The Southern Alps in winter
The Hooker Valley track in winter
Auckland winter temperatures (average high/low): 15°/8°C
Christchurch winter temperatures (average high/low): 11°/1°C
Queenstown winter temperatures (average high/low): 8°/-1°
The further south you go in New Zealand, the colder the temperatures. There’s a massive difference between Auckland and Queenstown.
The weather can change a lot throughout the winter season as well. There’s not much between New Zealand and Antarctica, so when the wind blows up from the south it’s freezing.
Temperatures can get pretty warm over winter too, if you’re lucky. Northland is sometimes called ‘the winterless North,’ because on a sunny winter’s day it feels almost as warm as a cool summer day.
One thing that makes New Zealand winter feel colder than it actually is though, is the quality of New Zealand housing. Our homes are infamously cold and often damp — it’s one of the worst things about living here.
Central heating doesn’t exist in New Zealand. Newer homes have heat pumps, but we heat the older ones with plug in electrical heaters. With the cost of energy bills, a lot of people just don’t heat their homes.
Insulation is also lacking in New Zealand, and it’s rare to have double glazing.
All this means we’re used to huddling inside under blankets, with thick jumpers, during winter.
You shouldn’t face much of an issue if staying in hotels and more modern Airbnbs, but if you’re visiting friends or staying in an older house, just be prepared for colder accommodation.
As well as air temperatures, the water in New Zealand gets much colder over winter. In the North Island, the sea temperature can range from around 14 to 18 degrees Celsius (57 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit) in winter.
In the South Island, sea temperatures typically range from about 10 to 14 degrees Celsius (50 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit) in winter.
I surf in a 3/2 wetsuit all year round in Auckland, but in Wellington or the South Island you would need a 4/3 in winter.
If you don’t mind the cold water, winter swells in the Pacific make winter a good time for surfing in New Zealand. As long as you have a thick enough wetsuit, you can enjoy uncrowded waves throughout the month
Does it snow in New Zealand in winter?
It snows in various parts of New Zealand during the winter months of June, July, and August. In the South Island, snowfall is common in mountainous regions during winter, including places like Lake Tekapo and Wanaka.
Snow is rare in the North Island outside of Tongariro National Park and the peak of Mount Taranaki. However, we occasionally get -0 overnight and get frosts in the North Island.
What is New Zealand like in winter?
Moody Lake Rotoiti in winter
Lake Alta with winter ice
New Zealand winters are nowhere near as harsh as European or North American winters.
It gets cold, but not drastically colder than summer — the coldest daytime temperatures are usually around 6-12 degrees.
That means our lifestyles don’t change massively during winter, either. People still enjoy outdoors activities like hiking and surfing.
However, winter is the low season in New Zealand, so for travellers it’s a very different vibe to summer.
New Zealand in winter is a lot quieter than in summer. This can be both a positive and a negative.
You’re more likely to have campgrounds, beaches, and walking trails to yourself.
Most locals travel over the Christmas and New Year’s period, which is when we have our summer holidays. This means visitors can have attractions and accommodation to themselves outside of the peak season.
The downside to this is that some places can feel a little dead in winter. People don’t go out as much, and we don’t down on restaurant terraces, so there’s less buzz in towns and cities.
Winter holidays in New Zealand
School holidays in winter:
There are usually two weeks of school holidays in July each year.
In 2024, the winter school holiday dates are Saturday 6 July to Sunday 21 July.
Although domestic flights can be more expensive around this time, and you’ll see more families on ski trips, this isn’t the most popular time for locals to travel New Zealand.
Most New Zealanders take their big holidays over summer, so that’s when most families go on big camping trips.
Public holidays in winter:
King's Birthday, Monday 5 June
Matariki, Friday 14 July
Magical things to do in New Zealand in winter
Just because it’s cold and darker, doesn’t mean you’ll be bored visiting New Zealand in winter.
Here are awesome winter activities, and the best places to visit in New Zealand in winter.
1. Skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing
If you like winter sports, winter is best time to go to Queenstown.
Queenstown comes alive with skiers and snowboarders keen to hurtle down the many different slopes around town. There’s a strong apres ski vibe, and even though the weather is cold, spirits are high.
There are several ski fields to choose from around Queenstown and Wanaka, most of which have incredible views of the lakes and mountains.
You’ll find more ski fields near Christchurch, and even more in Tongariro National Park in the North Island.
2. Enjoy New Zealand cuisine
Andiamo’s truffle mac’n cheese in Auckland
Winter is a great time to explore the cafes and restaurants around New Zealand.
New Zealand food is generally pretty hearty, so it makes for warming winter meals.
You can tuck into dishes of fry bread (a local speciality) and wild shot game meats, food from hangi (an earth oven), and enjoy some of our heavier snacks like cheese scones and Southland cheese rolls.
Some delicacies, like locally grown truffles, are best in the winter months, when they are fresh.
Both Auckland and Wellington are awesome dining destinations.
3. See the Southern Lights
The Southern Lights seen from Wellington
Although there is a chance of seeing the Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis, all year round, the best time to see the lights is from May until September.
In the autumn and winter months, the nights are longest and darkest, making it easier to see their shimmer.
If you’re into photography, you can even capture the Southern Lights from Wellington. Head out to the Red Rocks reserve on a dark winters night to set up you camera and see if you can spot the glow on the horizon.
Even if you don’t see the Southern Lights, winter is a great time for stargazing.
As well as more snow, you can enjoy clearer views of Aoraki/Mount Cook across Lake Pukaki without the summer haze in the air, and the stars are brighter and make for epic astrophotography in winter.
4. Do a Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike
Winter is an awesome time to visit the West Coast of the South Island. This is the wettest part of the country and rains often in summer, but winter brings clear skies and sunny days.
With the snowfall in the Southern Alps, this makes winter an awesome time to visit Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers.
You can hike on Franz Josef all year round (I did it in January, for my birthday) but in winter the glaciers are even more epic.
The heli hikes are weather dependent, as the helicopters can’t take off in bad weather.
5. See glow worms
Some of New Zealand’s most exciting critters live deep in caves.
Glow worms are a unique bioluminescent insect species found in various parts of the country, and they are visible year-round in caves and old mining tunnels.
However, visiting glow worm caves is a great winter activity as it’s out of the elements.
Popular glow worm viewing spots include the Waitomo Caves on the North Island and the Te Anau Caves in Fiordland on the South Island. These caves provide guided tours where you can see the glow worms illuminating the cave ceilings and walls with their bioluminescent light.
6. Celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year
Matariki is celebrated at the coldest, darkest time of year in New Zealand. The dates shift each year according to the lunar calendar.
Matariki is signalled by the reappearance of a cluster of stars in the night sky. This point in the year is a chance to reflect on the past year, celebrate the present, and look ahead.
If you’re in New Zealand during Matariki, it’s a great time to learn more about Maori culture, history and traditions, and engage in your own reflections.
7. Bathe in hot springs
Natural hot pools at Welcome Flat Hut
New Zealand has a lot of natural hot springs that are just as good, if not better, to visit in winter.
My favourite is Maruia Hot Springs in the South Island, but you can soak in natural hot springs at Kerosene Creek near Rotorua (for free!) or at the beautiful Ngawha Springs in Northland.
You can even find hot springs in surprising locations, like at Welcome Flat Hut on the West Coast of the South Island.
8. Go whale watching
From May to October, you can spot humpbacks, southern right whales and pilot whales in New Zealand waters. The winter season is when these whales migrate north to warmer waters to calve and nurse their young.
This makes winter an awesome time to go whale watching in destinations like Auckland and Kaikoura.
9. Discover winter hikes
Some hikes, like the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and the Milford Track, are impassable in winter due to snow and avalanche risk. If you have specific hikes on your New Zealand bucket list, check whether they are walkable in the months you’ll be visiting.
However, there are some beautiful trails that are open all winter, even if the paths are covered in snow.
I climbed to the top of Mount Fyffe near Kaikoura in July and was knee deep in snow for much of the way.
It was tough walking but worth it to see the snowy landscapes.
The Heaphy Track, one of the Great Walks, is a great winter trek. I walked the trail in August and had clear, sunny weather and beautiful frosts in the morning.
Many huts have a small fireplace, so if you plan on overnight treks, you can cosy up next to a warm fireplace in the evening.
10. Wine tasting
Wine tasting is a great activity at any time of year in New Zealand.
In winter, the vines are pruned back and smaller cellar doors are closed, but you can still visit welcoming wineries near Queenstown and on Waiheke Island.
Cooler weather can be a great reason to book a winery lunch and settle into an afternoon of indulgence.
What to pack for New Zealand in winter
While you’ll need a woolly hat and most likely gloves in Queenstown, these are more fashion accessories than necessities in Auckland.
I have a luscious faux fur coat that I love, but only July is cold enough to justify wearing. Even in June and August, it’s too heavy.
Most of the time in Auckland, a thick scarf and a good jumper is enough in winter. A good raincoat is also necessary, as you’re likely to get some wet days.
In the South Island, you’ll want clothes you can layer up easily. Long sleeved merino tops are awesome, as are woolly jumpers and thick woollen socks.
Here are the essential things to pack for New Zealand in winter:
A puffer jacket
A rain jacket
Merino base layers
A beanie
Driving in New Zealand in winter
Driving in New Zealand in winter can be a little more challenging than in summer.
Some roads may close due to snow, particularly the passes going over the Southern Alps in the South Island.
Check the weather forecast before you start driving and err on the side of caution.
Heavy rain can make roads slippery and visibility poor. If there are strong winds, you might not be able to drive. Campervans have been rolled off the road by winds in the South Island.
Here are a few more winter driving safety tips:
Try and do most of your driving during daylight hours, when there are fewer hazards. This can be tricky with shorter daylight hours — you might need to be more organised and plan fewer activities than you would in summer.
If travelling long distances, take plenty of breaks — aim for a rest every two hours. This goes for both winter and summer driving, but bad weather can be more taxing if you have to concentrate harder.
Try and make sure you always have at least half a tank of petrol, in case of road closures and diversions.
So, should you visit New Zealand in winter?
Roy’s Peak hike with snowy scenery
Winter brings bigger waves
As long as you don’t mind dealing with some wet and cold weather, it’s well worth visiting New Zealand in winter.
If you prefer to avoid crowds and are travelling on a budget, winter is a great time to visit New Zealand. Attractions and accommodation are much quieter, but most adventure activities like bungy jumping, jet boating, or cruising to Milford Sound are still enjoyable in the cold weather.
It can be a lot less stressful travelling in winter compared to summer, as activities and accommodation are rarely booked out.
With accommodation, even though you won’t need to worry about booking in advance for most places, it’s still worth booking at least one day ahead.
This is because winter can bring reduced operating hours for smaller accommodation providers. If you don’t book and arrive at your destination past 6pm, reception might be closed.
This happened to me when I was travelling around Golden Bay in the middle of winter. I managed to find a room at a pub that was open and serving people into the evening, but the Top 10 holiday park where I originally wanted to stay was closed by the time I arrived after dark.
Still, this is a small niggle and for me doesn’t outweigh the flexibility of not having to book every single night in advance.
It’s also worth noting that weather in New Zealand is so unpredictable that even if you visit in summer, you can be hit with heavy rain and gale force winds.
So pack warm, make sure your preferred activities are open or accessible during winter, and take advantage of cheap mid year flights to New Zealand.
Thanks for reading this far! If you’re thinking about visiting New Zealand in winter, I hope this helped clarify things for you.
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