The best time to visit New Zealand's South Island depends on what you want to experience. Generally, the summer months (December to February) offer the best weather for outdoor activities. If you're interested in skiing or snowboarding, the winter months (June to August) are ideal. For fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons (March to May and September to November)
New Zealand Travel Information
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Best Time to Visit
New Zealand is very much a year-round destination, and the best time to visit depends on what you want to experience. Generally, the country’s summer (December to February) offers the warmest weather and is ideal for outdoor activities, while spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) offer milder temperatures and fewer crowds. Winter (June to August) is perfect for snow sports enthusiasts. For the best time to go based on your interests, consult one of our Destination Specialists today.
Planning Travel Around New Zealand’s Seasons
New Zealand’s seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere, with summer in New Zealand coinciding with winter in many northern countries and vice versa. Here’s a seasonal breakdown of a full year:
- Spring in New Zealand (September to November, a time of blooming gardens and mild temperatures)
- Summer in New Zealand (December to February, best for festivals, beach days and outdoor adventures)
- Autumn in New Zealand (March to May, ideal for vibrant foliage, crisp air and world-class wine harvests)
- Winter in New Zealand (June to August, time for ski season, snow-capped mountains and fewer tourist crowds - obviously outside of the ski areas)
The Best Times to Visit New Zealand According to Your Interests
If you have a specific interest or activity in mind, certain times of the year are more conducive than others to, say, beachgoing, wine tours or cultural pursuits. Here is a brief guide to when to visit New Zealand according to what interests you most.
Beaches and islands
The best time to visit New Zealand for beaches and island hopping is during the summer months, from December to February. This period offers the warmest weather, long daylight hours and calm sea conditions, perfect for swimming, watersports and enjoying the coastal scenery.
History and culture
New Zealand’s rich heritage is on display year-round, but the optimal time to experience its culture and heritage, including Māori culture, is during the shoulder seasons (September to November or March to May). These periods offer a good balance of pleasant weather for exploring, fewer crowds and opportunities to participate in cultural events such as a pōwhiri (Māori welcoming ceremony).
“All Blacks rugby is huge in New Zealand,” Destination Specialist Mary Georgiou points out.
“If you’re a sports fan, be sure to check out a home game. The All Blacks typically play their home test matches during the months of July, August, September, and sometimes October.”
Food and wine
Autumn (March to May) is an ideal time for lovers of food and wine to visit. In addition to harvesting the grapes and bottling their vintages, many of New Zealand’s wine regions host harvest festivals during this time, offering unique tasting experiences as well as opportunities to witness the wine production process firsthand. Check out Goway’s various itineraries focused on food and wine.
Regional Highlights to Plan Your New Zealand Trip Around
While New Zealand is very much a year-round destination, it pays to visit specific cities and regions at very particular times.
Queenstown in the Shoulder Season
Located on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, perennially popular Queenstown is particularly alluring in autumn (March to April) and spring (October to November), when its stunning surroundings are especially vibrant and tourist crowds are sparser. You can also get cheaper rates on accommodation and better access to car rentals. Even popular tours and attractions will often have discounts or promotions.
Bay of Islands in Springtime
Spring (September to November) is a great time to cruise through the Bay of Islands, on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. The region comes alive with the vibrant colours of flowers in full bloom, while the mild temperatures make sailing, hiking, and biking especially pleasurable. Spring is also the ideal time for spotting wildlife, including dolphins.
Always Wonderful Wellington
New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, is enchanting year-round, yet often overlooked by visitors to the North Island. Don’t make that mistake. A more compact counterpoint to Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city, Wellington offers an equally vibrant amalgam of cultural attractions, natural beauty, and culinary experiences. Visitors can wander through the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, ride the iconic Wellington Cable Car, or discover the unique wildlife at Zealandia Ecosanctuary. Outdoor enthusiasts will also have much to take in, from walking trails and beaches and the very picturesque harbour.
Let the Seasons Shape Your New Zealand Journey
The best way to explore New Zealand is on a tailor-made vacation determined by season and climate. Whether your agenda includes wine tours, scenery gazing, whale-watching, or cruising, an experienced travel pro can help you get the most out of your New Zealand trip, including when to go. Consult one of Goway’s Destination Specialists today for the best seasonal tips on when to book an escorted vacation, a small-group trip, or a customized solo journey.
Featured New Zealand Trip Ideas
New Zealand Travel PackagesClassic New Zealand
Christchurch, West Coast, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Upolu Point, Wellington, Rotorua, and AucklandFrom Auckland’s harbours to Christchurch’s revitalised streets, this classic New Zealand itinerary celebrates diverse landscapes and rich Maori culture seamlessly.
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Classic Downunder: New Zealand & Australia
Victoria, Melbourne, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Alice Springs, Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Rotorua, and AucklandVenture through New Zealand and Australia, where ancient landscapes meet cities. From Auckland's museums to the Great Barrier Reef's wonders, each stop tells a story.
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Lord of the Rings Road Trip: Explore Middle Earth
Queenstown, Milford Sound, West Coast, Upolu Point, Wellington, North Island, Rotorua, and AucklandJourney through New Zealand on this road trip, exploring breathtaking landscapes and iconic film sets from *The Lord of the Rings* while embracing adventure at every stop.
14 days
From US$2,579/p.p.
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Classic New Zealand
Christchurch, West Coast, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Upolu Point, Wellington, Rotorua, and AucklandFrom Auckland’s harbours to Christchurch’s revitalised streets, this classic New Zealand itinerary celebrates diverse landscapes and rich Maori culture seamlessly.
13 days
From US$4,408/p.p.
Request a Quote
Classic Downunder: New Zealand & Australia
Victoria, Melbourne, Queensland, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Alice Springs, Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Rotorua, and AucklandVenture through New Zealand and Australia, where ancient landscapes meet cities. From Auckland's museums to the Great Barrier Reef's wonders, each stop tells a story.
19 days
From US$6,691/p.p.
Request a Quote
Lord of the Rings Road Trip: Explore Middle Earth
Queenstown, Milford Sound, West Coast, Upolu Point, Wellington, North Island, Rotorua, and AucklandJourney through New Zealand on this road trip, exploring breathtaking landscapes and iconic film sets from *The Lord of the Rings* while embracing adventure at every stop.
14 days
From US$2,579/p.p.
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Most Popular Time to Travel
Know when to go.
Place
Conditions
Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
AucklandLight Rain
20°C / 68°F
62mm / 2.5"
BlenheimOccasional Showers
17°C / 62°F
53mm / 2.1"
ChristchurchOccasional Showers
19°C / 66°F
38mm / 1.5"
DunedinPartly Cloudy
16°C / 61°F
34mm / 1.3"
NapierOccasional Showers
18°C / 65°F
62mm / 2.5"
NelsonOccasional Showers
17°C / 62°F
53mm / 2.1"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.Popularity rating
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit New Zealand’s South Island?
When is the best time to visit Christchurch?
The best time to visit Christchurch, on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, is during the summer (December to February). The days are longest at this time and the weather is consistently warm, perfect for enjoying beaches, gardens and outdoor adventures.
When is the best time to visit Queenstown?
While summer in Queenstown (December to February) brings warm, sunny weather ideal for outdoor activities, spring (September to November) shows off the city at its prettiest, with vibrant gardens and flowers blossoming.
What is the climate like in New Zealand?
New Zealand's climate is generally temperate and maritime, with distinct seasons. It’s known for being mild, with the far north experiencing subtropical conditions in summer and inland alpine areas of the South Island getting cold in winter. Most of the country experiences moderate rainfall and abundant sunshine.
New Zealand Travel Information
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ExcellentBased on 5,187 ReviewsWe travelled to Morocco for 10 days, 9 nights, booked through GoWay- they used an excellent local tour company- Cynab. GoWay booked our flights with a stopover Paris, so we did a weekend on our own with family, then transfer to Morocco. Because dates of small group tours didn't work, we booked a private tour for 2, and it wasn't much different in price from small group. Everything went smoothly from start to finish. We were picked up in Casablanca and dropped at Marrakech airport 10 days later with the same driver the whole way. He was a very good driver, always told us what time to expect him next morning and was there like clockwork. Local guides were met along the way for tours of Medinas of Fes, Marrakech and Essouria. The trip was spectacular. Saw many beautiful sites. All the hotels were great- first night at Villa Mandarine in Rabat, with orange trees in the garden, the Oz Palace in Ouarzazate and the Merzouga luxury desert camp were paticularly special. The Jaal Riad in Marrakech was a beautiful hotel and a good one to relax by the pool our last day after our busy travel days. In Fes, the Merides up on a hill was a great respite from the intensity of a day walking through the Fes Medina. NIce to sit on the terrace and watch the sun go down and the lights come up. Although the days were packed, the hotels were always an oases of calm at end of day, and because we didn't need to do any navigating, it was very relaxing. Be prepared to be shown alot of artisan shops- its interesting to see and important to contribute somewhat to the economy, but I sometimes felt a bit pressured to buy, but we ended up with a reasonable amount of souvenirs and not a big cost compared to the trip. Overall a highly memorable trip, we felt very welcome in Morocco, people are very warm and hotel staff treated us royally. We felt very safe and comfortable the whole time. As someone with IBD, I was impressed I had no tummy troubles the whole time. The driver stopped at great places for lunch, and with the private tours in the city we could tell the guide when we wanted to stop and they always suggested a great place. Food was excellent throughout. A tour arranged dinner on a roof top restaurant in Marrakech was particularly special, with a gorgeous sunset and the waiters sang! The meal in the Sahara desert camp was also particularly special. Highly recommend this tripTWHello and Happy Travels.
I have been working with Isabella Luu for
two separate trips, one has traveled. They absolutely loved everything put together by Isabella.
She has been knowledgeable and helpful answering all questions I and clients have had. The work she put into these trips has shown by the ease of the clients travel.
Nothing says more than a Happy Client with smiles and a desire to rebook. THANK YOU Isabella. 04Dawn White Dream VacationsGreat Support throughout the process. Booking travel is a team sport these days and Allan was a supportive teammate in arranging a wonderful holiday for my clients!DellaAllan from Goway is fantastic to work with. He is always quick to respond, highly professional, and very friendly. I know I can count on him for excellent service every time.
He has helped us with multiple Europe travel trips for our clients, and every one of them has gone smoothly. I truly appreciate the reliability, communication, and care Allan provides, and I look forward to continuing to work with him in the future.AphroditeExcellent service! Farnaz did a wonderful job of coordinating detail. She had spot on recommendations and applied our wants and desires into a fantastic tripTommy ThompsonMichael did a great job arranging all our transfers, hotels, trains and tours for our trip to Iceland and Andalucia, Spain. No blips or missed connections and accommodations were easy walking to central cities. Would use Goway again and recommend to our friends.David StoneI found this agency when trying to find a trip to New Zealand and Australia. I never heard of them before, so I had to do some research to make sure they were legit. This trip was going to be seemingly more in cost, so I needed to feel everything was going to go as planned and I was not going to be scammed. I had Natasa Jaric as my Specialist. Her and I worked on an itinerary that suited my needs. She is very friendly and knowledgeable.
I had back to back tours for three weeks straight, as well as transfers and hopper flights. This was what I wanted, as this was my " One and Done" for this region. My transportation, hotels, tours and flights went as planned. Of course, Mother Nature dictates some plans and one activity was cancelled. I am getting a refund through the agency. Please book with confidence! This company is reputable and delivers on the itinerary. I had the opportunity to review each part of my itinerary with Natasa prior to leaving to make sure all looked correct. My trip was unforgettable!!! Thank you Goway Travel for making this trip so effortless and smooth.ConsumerGoway gave us a magical holiday in Southeast Asia. From the organization of the transportation, guides and drivers, hotels and tours, everything ran like clockwork with quality accommodations, experienced guides and drivers and amazing excursions. We had a wedding in Bali Indonesia that was the stimulus for visiting 7 countries Cebu Philippines, Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An Vietnam, Siem Reap Cambodia, Bangkok Thailand, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Bali, Indonesia and Taipei, Taiwan.
We had marvelous tour guides and drivers. All of them spoke excellent English, had years of experience, were very knowledgeable and passionate about their country and its heritage, very friendly, funny, patient , flexible and accommodating. In Bali we were able to add another tour when we changed hotels and the guide was able to accommodate our friends from Canada to go with us. The drivers were excellent considering the traffic volumes and what we would consider complex driving movements by cars, trucks, bicycles, vespas, tuk tuks and motorcycles.
The hotels we were placed in were five stars, with exceptional breakfast which showcased the country's food. We were always able to find ethnic food from that area that we could try. I would highly recommend the Sofitel Legend Metropole in Hanoi. The hotel even has a bunker from the Vietnam War that you can tour if you are staying there. Also the Komaneka at Bisma in Ubud Indonesia was a beautiful property and we were treated like royalty by being placed in a villa with our own swimming pool. All the hotels except one had universal outlets.
For any of the Temples whether Buddha or Hindu, churches or Mosques, you need covered shoulders, covered knees and covered toes. Some like Indonesia provide sarongs as part of the entrance fee.
For tours the I highly recommend the following:
The overnight Ginger Cruise of Halong Bay. The suites were like what you see in the movies of Chinese junket's. You visit a secluded fishing village, the scenery is amazing, the food was excellent and we were taught how to make spring rolls and went squid fishing.
The half day cooking class in Cambodia was an amazing experience. We were taken out to a village farm with a multi-generational Cambodian family. The farm had power but no running water. Water was gathered from the river or rainfall. We went to other farms around the village to look at the crops of herbs and vegetables, including rice that were used in the dinner. Also visited the village market for fruits, meats and fish. You were taught how to prepare the foods with the women of the farm while the men set up tables, chairs and lighting for the evening meal. The whole family plus our guide and driver ate the prepared meal under the stars. It was totally awesome.
Also don't miss the cooking class at the Blue Elephant in Bangkok. This was a class of 12 students, again with a market tour to select ingredients for what we would be cooking. We prepared four courses which were first demonstrated then we went into a kitchen with stations where each of us prepared that course. Afterwards we sat down to eat the meal that we had prepared.
For a different authentic experience The Dark Foodie Tour in Siem Reap by Vespa was one of the highlights of the tour. This tour you spend time with the Cambodian people in the night market, bars and restaurants and even a local fair. You are driven around the city like the locals on Vespa's.
You will see lots of temples but two you don't want to miss is Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Wat Suthat in Thailand. Both are astounding and if you get a chance circle back to view the Wat Suthat at night where the lights on the temple show off its beauty.
Chris LawsonThe tour was very well planned out and provided many incredible experiences! Alice Teramoto was very helpful while we were planning this trip.Sheryl RadetskyWe recently enjoyed a tour around Australia arranged by Natasa Jarik at Goway Travel. The trip lasted 10 days, too short to do justice to all of Australia, but enough to give us a taste of a fascinating country.
The trip was excellent, exactly what we were looking for. The complicated logistics all worked out smoothly and perfectly. Everything was on time and as advertised. The individual tours were excellent, the guides were absolutely first rate, the accommodations all worked out well (especially the central location of Swissotel in Sydney), and we thoroughly enjoyed the trip. One of the really enjoyable days was day 1, when we arrived early in the morning after a long plane flight from the US and spent the day walking through the parks and gardens and around the harbor in Sydney, visiting a couple of museums, and having a wonderful dinner at a little restaurant around the corner from our hotel. Sydney is a beautiful city! We missed spotting a cassowary in the rain forest, but we saw lots of roos and koalas and emus and dingoes and wombats and crocodiles and wallabies at Kangaroo Island and the Daintree rain forest, snorkeled at the Great Barrier Reef, and enjoyed a very interesting tour around Sydney. The arrangements were handled efficiently and easily. Thank you, Natasa, for arranging a perfect tour for us!Mike Cherry
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