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Best time to go to Queenstown
Find the best time to visit the adventure capital, Queenstown, based on the activities and prices on your itinerary.
Queenstown
Travel Guides
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Best time to visit Queenstown
We recommend visiting from December to February.
You can find most activities in Queenstown during the summer between December and February. Avoid the peak tourist season by travelling at the beginning and end of summer to maximise the hot temperatures and the mix of activities. Avoid autumn, which is between March and May, due to its unpredictable weather.
Latest Queenstown travel deals
Everything New Zealand
From NZ$35: New Zealand ski passes, rentals shuttles and tours
Book ski passes, tours, heliskiing experiences, gear hire and more in Queenstown, Christchurch and Wanaka.
DriveNow
Campervan hire from $5/day
Available on select routes, dates and locations in Australia, including Darwin, Alice Springs, Cairns and Brisbane, and New Zealand.
Klook
Up to 40% off New Zealand activities
Ends
Available until December 2021 on activities including tandem skydives, skis and snow activities, jet boat rides, scenic flights and more. Destinations include Queenstown, Christchurch, Wanaka and more.
AAT Kings
Exclusive
Extra 5% off adventures with code
Ends
Available on AAT Kings Guided Holiday or Inspiring Journeys tours from 1 June 2021 - 31 March 2022. Destinations include Hobart, Launceston, Uluru, Queenstown, Rotorua and more. T&Cs apply.
Agoda
Up to 53% off New Zealand hotels
Ends
Available on select stay dates in Auckland. Includes free cancellation, breakfast and more. Sample stay is at ibis budget Auckland Central.
Everything New Zealand
Up to 75% off things to do in New Zealand
Plus kids go free on select activities including skydives, sightseeing cruises, tours and helicopter flights. Destinations include Queenstown, Auckland, Franz Josef, Taupo, Milford Sound and more.
Europcar
Up to 20% off Australia and New Zealand rentals
Ends
Available on 2+ days rentals until 11 December 2021 when you book 21 days in advance. Destinations include Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
Priceline.com
Up to 60% off express deals
Available on select dates in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and more. T&Cs apply
Skyscanner
New Zealand flights from $254 each way
Ends
Available on Qantas flights from July 2021 - March 2022. Destinations include Christchurch, Wellington, Queenstown and more. Sample fare is Gold Coast-Auckland.
Voyagin
New Zealand: Milford Sound cruise experience from $96
Ends
Available until June 2021 for a 2-hour scenic catamaran cruise.
Voyagin
New Zealand tandem skydive experience from $285
Ends
Available on select dates until June 2022 in Auckland.
Air New Zealand
Auckland flights from $261 each way
Ends
Available for flights in July 2021. Sample fare departs from Sydney.
Air New Zealand
Flights to New Zealand from $404 return
Ends
Available on flights until December 2021. Sample fare is Gold Coast-Auckland. Destinations include Christchurch, Wellington, Queenstown and more.
Europcar
Up to 10% off 3-day rentals
Ends
Available on rentals until 11 December 2021 across Australia and New Zealand. T&Cs apply.
Accor Hotels
Australia and New Zealand stays from $105 per night
Ends
Plus members get 10% off on stays until December 2021. Destinations include Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Uluru, Gold Coast, Queenstown, Wellington and more.
Marriott
Up to 20% off resort stays
Ends
Available on select travel dates on select hotels across Australia, New Zealand, USA, Caribbean, Canada, Greece and more.
Oaks Hotels & Resorts
Up to 15% off stays in Australia and New Zealand
Ends
Available on select stay dates in 2021 when you stay a minimum of 2 nights. Destinations include Gold Coast, Darwin, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Wellington and more.
Viator
New Zealand: Up to 10% off Central Otago wine tour
Ends
Available on select dates from June 2021 - June 2022 for a full-day tour.
Viator
New Zealand: Up to 10% off gourmet food and wine tour from Queenstown
Ends
Available for travel from June 2021 - June 2022 for a full-day tour. Includes lunch, wine tasting at 4 vineyards and more.
Viator
New Zealand: Up to 20% off Milford Sound experience from Te Anau
Ends
Available from June 2021 - June 2022 for a full day experience. Includes 2-hour cruise in Milford Sound, lunch and more.
Viator
Up to 10% off Queenstown wine sampler tour
Ends
Available from June 2021 - March 2022. Includes wine tastings, hotel transfers, free branded wine glass and more.
Contiki
Up to 15% off New Zealand tours
Ends
Available on select tours in 2021 and 2022 to Auckland, Queenstown, Wellington, Rotorua, Christchurch, Dunedin and more. T&Cs apply.
Wotif
Up to 29% off New Zealand getaways
Ends
Available on stays in July 2021. Destinations include Auckland and Wellington. T&Cs apply.
CruiseDirect
Up to 71% off holiday cruises
Ends
Available on select cruises in 2021 and 2022 with Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, MSC cruises and more. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Singapore, Caribbean, Bahamas and more. T&Cs apply.
World2Cover Travel Insurance Deals
Get 25% Off World2Cover Travel Insurance
Save on your next policy to destinations including Bali, Thailand, USA, Europe, Japan, New Zealand, Vietnam and more. Terms and conditions apply.
Europcar
Up to 15% off 5+ days rentals
Ends
Available on rentals until 11 December 2021 across Australia and New Zealand. T&Cs apply.
AAT Kings
Up to $600 off per couple for guided holidays and inspiring journeys
Ends
Available for travel from 1 April 2021 - 31 March 2022 across Australia and New Zealand, including Uluru, Darwin, Cairns, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Auckland, Queenstown and more. T&Cs apply.
Priceline.com
Up to 50% off worldwide stays
Become a member and get up to 50% off hotels. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, USA and more.
Klook
Up to 48% off things to do in Queenstown
Ends
Available on select activities including jet boat ride, tours, cruises, skydiving, flying experiences and more.
Hertz
Up to 15% off New Zealand car hires
Ends
Available on rentals until 31 August 2021. Destinations includes Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Queenstown and more. T&Cs apply.
Everything New Zealand
Up to 20% off things to do in Christchurch
Ends
Available on select travel dates on activities including skydiving, whale watching, skiing and more.
Everything New Zealand
Up to 60% off things to do in Queenstown
Ends
Available on select travel dates. Activities include dining experiences, sightseeing cruises, helicopter flights, jet boat rides and more.
Everything New Zealand
Up to 25% off things to do in Auckland
Ends
Available on select travel dates. Activities include wine tours, walking tours, jet boat rides, sightseeing cruises, helicopter flights and more.
Lastminute.com.au
Up to 23% off New Zealand getaways
Ends
Available on select travel dates to Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington, Dunedin, Te Anau and more.
Virgin Australia
Queenstown flights from $259 each way
Ends
Available on flights from September 2021 - January 2022 departing from Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and more. Sample fare departs from Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
Kiwi.com
Get EUR€10 off flights with code
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of EUR€100. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand and more.
Kiwi.com
Get EUR€20 off flights with code
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of EUR€200. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand and more.
Trip.com
Flights to New Zealand from $301 each way
Ends
Available on select travel dates to Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown and more. Sample fare is Brisbane-Christchurch with Air New Zealand. Other airline includes Qantas Airways from $341. T&Cs apply.
Trip.com
Up to 27% off New Zealand getaways
Ends
Available on select travel dates to Auckland, Otago, Wellington and Canterbury. T&Cs apply.
Motorhome Republic
Extra 5% off New Zealand rentals
Ends
Available on Hippie Camper rentals until 31 March 2022 when you book 180 days in advance. Destinations include Auckland and Christchurch. T&Cs apply.
Overview
Temperatures vary significantly throughout the year and in each season. The most unpredictable time of year is autumn where temperatures range from -3 to 26℃. Summer is the hottest time with temperatures of 2 to 29℃ while winter is ideal for snow sports with temperatures from -6 to 15℃.
You’ll find the best bang for your buck along with activities and good weather in spring where temperatures reach lows of -2 and highs of 24℃.
Weather and prices
Best time to visit Queenstown, weather wise. Most activities are available in summer, so December to February is an ideal time to visit.
Cheapest time to visit Queenstown. Visit during spring, September to November, for smaller crowds but weather warm enough for outdoor activities.
Best time to visit Queenstown for...
- Snow and skiing. New Zealand’s winter,June to August, is the best time to catch a ride through the powder. But it’s best in September when the crowds are gone, the temperatures are slightly warmer and there’s still snow on the ground.
- Sightseeing. Visit during the spring months of September to November for blooming trees and warmer weather without the crowds and peak prices.
- Extreme sports. Extreme sports are available all year round but avoid autumn, March to May, since it features the most unpredictable weather.
- Wineries. Summer, December to February, is peak season for wine tastings, but wineries are open all year round so spring is also ideal and less crowded.
- Water sports. To avoid cool water, stick to the summer months of December to February.
- Outdoor activities. If you wish to avoid crowds, visit in spring (September to November) when the temperatures are comfortable and mild. If you crave the heat, then summer (December to February) is best.
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