When is the best time to visit Queenstown?

The most comfortable stretch is January to March and November, when average highs run 64 to 71 degrees F with 11 to 14 rainy days a month. January is the hottest month at 71 degrees F on average, and July the coolest at 45 degrees F.

What is the rainiest month in Queenstown?

December, with roughly 17 days of rain. The driest is January, with about 11. Both are averages from 2019-2024 records.

How warm does it get in Queenstown?

July averages 45 degrees F by day and 36 degrees F at night, and January averages 71 degrees F and 55 degrees F. In the southern hemisphere those two are reversed.

How do I book tours, a hotel or an airport transfer in Queenstown?

Everything on this page books through our travel partners: top-rated tours and tickets, hotels, car rental, airport transfers, an eSIM and travel insurance. Voyaggora earns a commission on some bookings at no extra cost to you, and our AI concierge can put a day-by-day plan together first.

Queenstown: Best Time to Visit & Things to Do

Updated September 23, 2026. Prices and availability come live from the partners when you click; ratings are re-checked on the date shown in the note at the end of the page.

Top-rated tours in Queenstown

Queenstown: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise★ 4.83,144 reviews→ Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride★ 4.81,984 reviews→ From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Tour★ 4.71,942 reviews→ From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat★ 4.91,841 reviews→

See all things to do in Queenstown → More tours on Viator →

Where to stay in Queenstown

Hotels and vacation rentals around Queenstown with live prices from the big booking sites. Pick your dates on the map to compare.

Hotel map by our partner Stay22. If you book through it we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Best time to visit Queenstown

The most comfortable months in Queenstown are January to March and November, with average daytime highs of 64 to 71°F and 11 to 14 rainy days a month. January is the hottest month, averaging 71°F, and July the coolest at 45°F. December sees the most rain, around 17 days, while January is the driest with about 11.

Jan71°55°11 d

Feb69°54°11 d

Mar65°51°11 d

Apr59°47°12 d

May54°43°13 d

Jun46°37°11 d

Jul45°36°13 d

Aug47°37°15 d

Sep52°39°16 d

Oct57°42°16 d

Nov64°48°14 d

Dec67°52°17 d

Average daily high / low and days with rain, from Open-Meteo ERA5 records for 2019-2024. Highlighted months are the pick above.

Plan the rest of your trip to Queenstown

🏨Hotels in QueenstownCompare hotels and apartments through our partner RateHawk. 🚗Car rental in QueenstownCompare car rental prices in Queenstown with Discover Cars. 🎟️What’s on in QueenstownSee upcoming concerts, sports and shows from Ticketmaster. 🎟️Museum and attraction ticketsSkip-the-line tickets for top sights in Queenstown, from Tiqets. ✈️Flights to QueenstownCompare airfares on Trip.com and search your route. 🛎️Hotels in Queenstown on Trip.comCompare hotels and homes in Queenstown for your dates. 🏩Hotels in Queenstown on ExpediaCompare hotel prices and reviews on Expedia for your dates. 🎡Things to do in Queenstown on ExpediaTours, tickets and activities you can book on Expedia. 🏡Vacation rentals in Queenstown on VrboWhole homes, villas and apartments with room for everyone. 🚖Airport transfer in QueenstownPre-book a driver who meets you at arrivals, from Welcome Pickups. 🧭Transfer, taxi or rideshare?Our guide to choosing the best ride from the airport into Queenstown. 🧳Luggage storage in QueenstownDrop your bags at a nearby shop or hotel and explore hands-free, with Radical Storage. 🙋Private local guideCustomizable private tours with vetted local guides from GoWithGuide. 📱eSIM data planGet mobile data before you land, with Airalo. 📶eSIM, roaming or local SIM?Our guide to staying connected on a short trip to Queenstown. 🛡️Travel insuranceCompare travel medical and cancellation cover with HelloSafe. ⏱️Flight delayed or cancelled?Check if you are owed compensation, with AirHelp. ✦Ask our AI conciergeTell us how many days you have and what you enjoy, and get a plan for Queenstown. 🏨Hotels in Queenstown on AgodaCompare hotel prices and reviews on Agoda, via our partner Stay22.🔎Compare hotels in Queenstown on KAYAKSearch and compare hundreds of hotel sites at once, via our partner Stay22.🛂Do you need a visa for Queenstown, New Zealand?Check entry requirements and apply online with eVisas.com, a private visa service (service fee applies).

More destinations in Australia & Pacific

🌞 Brisbane 🐠 Cairns 🏄 Gold Coast 🌅 Perth 🌬️ Wellington ♨️ Rotorua All Australia & Pacific →

Closest guides to Queenstown

🌬️ Wellington 400 mi ♨️ Rotorua 620 mi ⛵ Auckland 650 mi 🦘 Sydney 1,200 mi ☕ Melbourne 1,320 mi

Planning guides

Cruise or all-inclusive resort?Airport transfer or rental car?What travel insurance actually pays When to book flights and hotels

Queenstown: common questions

When is the best time to visit Queenstown?: The most comfortable stretch is January to March and November, when average highs run 64 to 71°F with 11 to 14 rainy days a month. January is the hottest month at 71°F on average, and July the coolest at 45°F.
What is the rainiest month in Queenstown?: December, with roughly 17 days of rain. The driest is January, with about 11. Both are averages from 2019-2024 records.
How warm does it get in Queenstown?: July averages 45°F by day and 36°F at night, and January averages 71°F and 55°F. In the southern hemisphere those two are reversed.
How do I book tours, a hotel or an airport transfer in Queenstown?: Everything on this page books through our travel partners: top-rated tours and tickets, hotels, car rental, airport transfers, an eSIM and travel insurance. Voyaggora earns a commission on some bookings at no extra cost to you, and our AI concierge can put a day-by-day plan together first.

Some links on this page are sponsored: if you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Ratings and review counts come from GetYourGuide and were last checked on September 23, 2026. Prices, availability and rules are set by the providers and change often. See our affiliate disclosure.