Best months for visiting parks: September, October, November. Best places to visit for autumn colors in New Zealand 1. If youre looking to avoid the summer crowds but still catch the last of the summer weather, then March can be the best time to visit New Zealand. While parts of the country do often experience drought in summer, these are not usually very long-lasting. The ski resorts can be busy in July, and you can expect prices to go up while accommodation can get booked up too. Winter: June to August - day light hours are shorter and temperatures getting below 15 degrees.This is the low season for New Zealand, unless for skiing holidays. The highlight of our trip was staying at the Matuka Lodge in Twizel(Mount Cook). Travel through New Zealand's beautiful South Island, getting to know its cultural hotspots, famous landscapes and public gardens, and sprawling vineyards along the way. Take in popular trails such as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing or the multi-day Milford Track. Luckily there are still plenty of wide-open spaces and opportunities to get off the . November and April are good months to cruise New Zealand on a budget. For more information on the cost of rental in New Zealand, check out How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Car in New Zealand? Plus, temperatures are warm enough that you can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking without being uncomfortable. April is a great time for many things in New Zealand, especially hiking and mountain biking. To hit the beaches, visit in summer (December-February) and head to the North Island and top-of-the-South. April is a great time to enjoy these, because a hot spring bath is much more appealing when the weather is cool. You can check school holiday dates here. Weather in New Zealand: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature. When travelling New Zealand in April, here are some things you need to know. Top 4 things to know about the best time to visit New Zealand: Spring is September, October, and November in New Zealand. Although not everyone observes the holiday from a religious perspective, schools are on vacation and many workplaces, too. Easter. Welcome/Kia Ora! Best time to visit New Zealand, weather-wise: . The average temperature ranges from 50 - 77 F (10-25 C), and February can be the most settled month in terms of weather. What is the coldest month in New Zealand? Cool mornings and warm afternoons make it pleasant to hit the trails of New Zealand, whether by foot or by wheels. It was perfect from sta", Traveled to New Zealand as a couple in January, 2020, "Great trip. Finally, if seeing Arrowtown among stunning autumn colours wasnt enough, then attend the Festival of Colours in Arrowtown, near Queenstown. I'd say it was the W", Traveled to New Zealand as a couple in February, 2020, "Had a great experience with KimKim and Eloise who booked our travel for our honeymoon in New Zealand. The nights definitely start feeling cooler throughout the country with lows in the North of between 9-11C and on . You can find great deals on flights and accommodation, but bring your raincoat and bring plenty of warm clothing, because its going to be cold. Enjoy the beach for the last time, and make the most of Aucklands outdoor, summer culture before it gets too cold. Considered a shoulder season, rates for travel and accommodation are much less than during summer's peak travel season. Additionally, April is well into (or just after) the wine-making season in New Zealand, so its a great time to try some of that famous New Zealand wine. February usually has the warmest and most settled weather, March is great too though some evenings, especially down south, might be a bit cooler. Be sure to cool off with a dip in the lakes or a trip to a waterfall. These months are perfect for hiking and trekking. Departing. If youre into snow sports, visit the mountains of the South Island and the central North Island between June and October. The further south, of course, the lower the temperatures. Remember though that this is only the start of the ski season, and conditions can be unpredictable, so you might want to consider holding off a few weeks. Dates may vary, but as a guide Term 1 is January 27 to April 3. Term 3 is July 20 to September 26. This is also when most schools have their summer holidays, and following on from Christmas and New Year, January is a busy time to be in New Zealand. In the subtropical north, its time to hit the beaches while in the more temperature south, its the best time to visit New Zealand for hiking. But, you can still expect some warmer temperatures in the daytime in towns like Queenstown and Wanaka, with average highs on a par with coastal Christchurch. This means traveling to New Zealand never requires more than a coat and an umbrella (unless you're skiing of course.) If your schedule allows, opt to go to New Zealand in the off-summer months like November or April when the weather is still very nice, but there are fewer crowds and prices are lower. ", Traveled to New Zealand solo in January, 2020, "Valentin was excellent in helping plan my trip ", South Island Highlights and New Zealand Wines - 12 Days, New Zealand in January: Travel Tips, Weather, and More, New Zealand in February: Travel Tips, Weather, and More, New Zealand in March: Travel Tips, Weather, and More, New Zealand in April: Travel Tips, Weather, and More, New Zealand in May: Travel Tips, Weather, and More, 5 Days in New Zealand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas, 1 Week in New Zealand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas, 10 Days in New Zealand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas, 2 Weeks in New Zealand - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas, Make the Most of Your Time in New Zealand, Best of New Zealands South Island - 10 Days, Highlights of New Zealand: From North to South - 15 Days, South Island Highlights & New Zealand Wines - 12 Days, New Zealand in November: Travel Tips, Weather, and More, New Zealand in October: Travel Tips, Weather, and More, New Zealand in July: Travel Tips, Weather, and More, Epic New Zealand Road Trip: Auckland to Queenstown - 21 Days. If I were to pick out the best highlight (which is hard because everything was awesome!) New Zealand ranges from a sub-tropical climate (Northland) to a sub-Antarctic one (several small islands off the South Island), so to its important to know how the weather will affect your plans and the kinds of experiences you want to have. Read our article to find out! Erin Medlicott is a fact checker and researcher with a background in lifestyle and finance. Since the weather is so pleasant, spring is said to be the best time of the year to visit Joshua Tree. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. See average monthly temperatures below. This jazz festival began in 1962, making it the longest-running jazz festival in the Southern Hemisphere. Waitangi Day, Waitangi: This day commemorates the day in 1840 when representatives of the British Crown signed a treaty with Maori chiefs, the Treaty of Waitangi. This is when New Zealands schools are on summer vacation. New Zealand's climate is diverse - the north of the North Island can have warm subtropical weather in summer, while inland alpine areas of the South Island can have heavy snow and temperatures as low as -10C (14F) in winter. The warmest time of year is generally late January and early February where highs are regularly around 73.1F (22.8C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 48.8F (9.3C . The fli", "Valentine created an awesome itinerary for us! January is peak season in New Zealand, and for good reasonthe weather is warm, the sea inviting, and the outdoors beckon. Summer is December, January, and February. . Spring is a great time of year to travel in New Zealand. Generally, January sees the highest temperatures, while theres also the least chance of rain. To experience a last gasp of summery weather, head to Northland, the wider Auckland region, and the Coromandel Peninsula. In general, the warmer months (October to April) are the best time to visit New Zealand, from late spring to early autumn. Re: best time to visit. The rugged mountains, untamed rivers, and rich coastal plains come alive with signs of new life - delicate blossoms, wide-eyed baby lambs, and exquisite birdsong. But given the seasonality of many activities here, its important to pick the best time to visit New Zealand, depending on what you are looking to see or experience in the country. Things are still warm though, and some days youll enjoy incredibly sunny beach weather in February. Availability & costs With spectacular landscapes, snow-capped mountain peaks and exceptional lakes, glaciers and waterfalls, New Zealand is great for hiking and for winter sports. Schools out for summer by mid-December, and the Christmas and New Year holidays give Kiwis the excuse to take a break. Luckily, all major cities and most smaller towns have a good collection of museums, galleries, and cafes to retreat to. New Zealand is quite a long country, spanning roughly 870 miles (1400 km) from Cape Reinga in the subtropical north to Bluff in the temperate south. He is passionate about sharing those experiences and advice on NZ Pocket Guide and its YouTube channel. For a packing list to match the weather in April, see Packing List for Autumn or Spring in New Zealand. It's quieter on the roads and in towns, and the good weather usually stretches to late autumn. North Island Temperatures: Highs of around 20C (68F) or more, and lows of 9C (48F). He has now spent over a decade in the New Zealand tourism industry, clocking in more than 600 activities across the country. January and February are right in the middle of summer when schools are on vacation, and tourists flock to New Zealand. UV rays here are powerful, and it's still possible to get sunburned well into late April, so prepare yourself accordingly. The wet season runs from November to April, and this is when Fiji is hot and humid. Term 2 is April 20 to July 3. While temperatures this month are a bit cooler than peak summer, April is among the best times to visit New Zealand. Winter in New Zealand . Temperatures are low across the country, and like in July, you can expect lots of rain in the northern areas. In the North Island, temperatures can reach highs in the late 20s, and occasionally above this, while in the South Island, temperatures are lower, but still in the mid-twenties. This is still a busy time of year, as travelers make the most of the hot weather to visit adventure hot-spots such as Queenstown in the south or Lake Taupo. Level Contributor . The best time to visit Fiji is in the dry season, which coincides with winter. Both countries are in the midst of winter from May to . We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. She has also spent time living in the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Japan, Australia, the U.S., and Nepal. The most settled time in terms of weather is February. Visit New Zealand from September to November (spring) or March to April (fall) if you hate crowds. Trip name. In others, especially further north, April can still be quite warm, especially earlier in the month. The ideal time to visit New Zealand, in the opinion of many, is in the fall. Catch some comedy acts particularly in Wellington and Auckland while some acts may tour the rest of the country. With so many water-based activities, this place is simply humming in . If you come from December through February, peak summer months in New Zealand, the weather might be hot and humid and the crowds intense, not to mention hotel rooms will be more expensive. In short, January is the best time to visit New Zealand for summer sun, while April's autumn colours are simply stunning. You can start to hit the hiking trails again in October, and you can enjoy the fresh mountain air, with almost no rainfall and ever-rising temperatures. April is shoulder season in New Zealand, so you will see tourists around, but many places will not be as busy as they are during peak season. Autumn in New Zealand starts in March and ends in May with temperatures on the south Island varying from average lows of 10C (50F) to highs of 20C (68F) early in the season. So When Is The Best Time To Visit New Zealand? The summer months do mean high season in New Zealand, so you might see some other people around if you visit during this time of year. Most things shut down on Christmas Day itself, especially in smaller towns. 5 Mar 2023. Often the weather is sunny and without much wind and rain.