Best time to visit New Zealand

Any time during our hiking season which runs from October through to April is a great time to visit New Zealand. Our climate is lovely and temperate, with the highest temperatures in these months only reaching around the mid 20s C or high 70s F - the perfect temperature for getting outside and exploring. 

When is the best time to travel New Zealand?

March and April (our early Autumn) are some of our favourite months for exploring. Autumn is characterised by bright blue skies and a lack of wind and rain. The leaves are starting to turn golden, long sunny days linger on, and quiet trails make for perfect hiking. 

Autumn - March and April

Long, sunny days and settled weather make Autumn an ideal time for walking and hiking. At this time of year, the snow-dusted mountains and evergreen forests make stunning reflections on our calm lakes. It's a photographer's dream!

March is the perfect time of year for those who want to make the most of the warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours of summer while avoiding the crowds and getting a good deal on flights.

As April rolls around the foliage starts to change colour, covering our hillsides in a fiery red and yellow blanket. The South Island is exceptionally glorious at this time of year, with places such as Wanaka and Queenstown ablaze with autumn colour.

Check out our Best of Autumn photo album here

You can read more about Spring and Summer in New Zealand below if you'd like. 

Spring - October, November, and into December

Our walking and hiking season here in New Zealand starts in October and if you want to escape the crowds, Spring is one of our best kept secrets. We locals love to make the most of the quiet trails that we get during Spring before the tourist crowds arrive in Summer. 

If you are keen to see our wildflowers, including the famous purple and pink lupins, the best time to visit is late November through to Christmas when the most wildflowers are in bloom. 

Spring is one of the most colourful and vibrant times of the year. The famous lupins and Mt Cook lilys are in full bloom, the lambs are frolicking in the fields, and we get the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets. We still have a dusting of snow on the very tops of the mountains making the perfect backdrop for your holiday photos. The days are getting longer and the temperate weather conditions are perfect for getting out and exploring. If you're a lover of wildlife, this is the best time of year to see penguins and fur seal pups.

As Spring and Autumn are outside of the school holidays, flights tend to be cheaper and you'll miss the tourist rush that comes with travelling in the Summer months.

Check out our Best of Spring photo album here

Summer - Late December, January, and February

Summer is vacation season for most New Zealanders. Long, light days stretch out and the warmer temperatures make for perfect beach weather. Weather-wise, January and February are typically the warmest months of the year here in New Zealand with temperatures hovering between 23 and 28°C (73 – 82°F) up and down the country. 

If you haven't had a warm festive holiday before, you're in for a treat. Here in New Zealand, the holiday season is all about getting outside and enjoying the fabulous summer sunshine with friends and family. Throwing on our togs (swimsuits) for a refreshing dip, a BBQ on the beach or by the lake, and a well-stocked chilly bin (cooler) to keep the bubbles cold. 

Check out our Best of Summer photo album here