Queenstown’s Seasons

Experience year-round beauty

QUEENSTOWN SEASONS

Queenstown in Winter

1 June – 31 August

With sunny blue sky days and snow capped mountains – Queenstown is a stunning destination in the winter months.

Well known for its international ski areas and buzzing nightlife, winter activity mainly focuses on the ski areas. Queenstown has two ski fields – Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. Both are within a short drive from the centre of Queenstown, around 45 minutes to the carpark at The Remarks and 25 minutes to the carpark at Coronet Peak.

The ski fields are open from around mid June to mid October, dependent on the snow conditions. Both mountains are well equipped with snow making facilities allowing for quality snow conditions throughout the season. September is a pleasant month for skiing, due to the warmer temperatures and shorter queues to the chair lifts.

QUEENSTOWN SEASONS

Queenstown in Spring

Spring – 1 September – 30 November

Daytime temperatures range from 8°C to 15°C with overnight frosts common.

Fresh clean air, warm daytime temperatures and cool evenings. This is often when skiing is at its best with less people queuing on the ski fields and milder climates. Restaurant and café tables begin to move onto the pavement with people enjoying the afternoon sunshine. Take in the amazing spring colours and scents of the gardens and landscapes and spend some time strolling along the lakefront, browsing the Saturday markets at Earnslaw Park down by the Wharf. Plan to dress in layers for rapid weather changes as winds and sudden quick showers can cool the temperature right down between sunny spells.

QUEENSTOWN SEASONS

Queenstown in Summer

1 December – 28 February

Daytime temperatures range from mid 20’s °C to low 30’s °C.

The balmy hot summer days are perfect for adventures on the water or on the land. At 45 degrees south, the summer days are long with midsummer dawn as early as 5am and darkness falling at 10pm – making the outdoor living really good.

The Southern Lakes settles into holiday mode and many people are drawn to the fresh air, breathtaking scenery as well as Queenstown’s unlimited activities on offer. Take this time to enjoy the walking tracks of the region, overnight in one of the many DOC huts available, hire a bike and go for a bike ride along many of the purpose built tracks, cruise the lake, read a book on the shores of Lake Wakatipu or spend the afternoon sampling some of the country’s best wines at the award-winning wineries in the area.

QUEENSTOWN SEASONS

Queenstown in Autumn

1 March – 31 May

Crisp mornings evolve into warm days, and the leaves begin to change colour around the end of March or beginning of April.

Evenings can be spent in front of a roaring fire; choose from a vast selection of bars and restaurants in town with cosy fires. Take a walk around Queenstown gardens and enjoy the changing colours of the trees, or a picnic by the pond. The Great Walks of New Zealand are still accessible, so enjoy a tramp on the Routeburn or Greenstone tracks in the surrounding area.

Experience year-round beauty

Queenstown in Winter

QUEENSTOWN SEASONS

Queenstown in Winter

1 June – 31 August

With sunny blue sky days and snow capped mountains – Queenstown is a stunning destination in the winter months.

Well known for its international ski areas and buzzing nightlife, winter activity mainly focuses on the ski areas. Queenstown has two ski fields – Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. Both are within a short drive from the centre of Queenstown, around 45 minutes to the carpark at The Remarks and 25 minutes to the carpark at Coronet Peak.

The ski fields are open from around mid June to mid October, dependent on the snow conditions. Both mountains are well equipped with snow making facilities allowing for quality snow conditions throughout the season. September is a pleasant month for skiing, due to the warmer temperatures and shorter queues to the chair lifts.

Queenstown in Spring

QUEENSTOWN SEASONS

Queenstown in Spring

Spring – 1 September – 30 November

Daytime temperatures range from 8°C to 15°C with overnight frosts common.

Fresh clean air, warm daytime temperatures and cool evenings. This is often when skiing is at its best with less people queuing on the ski fields and milder climates. Restaurant and café tables begin to move onto the pavement with people enjoying the afternoon sunshine. Take in the amazing spring colours and scents of the gardens and landscapes and spend some time strolling along the lakefront, browsing the Saturday markets at Earnslaw Park down by the Wharf. Plan to dress in layers for rapid weather changes as winds and sudden quick showers can cool the temperature right down between sunny spells.

Queenstown in Summer

QUEENSTOWN SEASONS

Queenstown in Summer

1 December – 28 February

Daytime temperatures range from mid 20’s °C to low 30’s °C.

The balmy hot summer days are perfect for adventures on the water or on the land. At 45 degrees south, the summer days are long with midsummer dawn as early as 5am and darkness falling at 10pm – making the outdoor living really good.

The Southern Lakes settles into holiday mode and many people are drawn to the fresh air, breathtaking scenery as well as Queenstown’s unlimited activities on offer. Take this time to enjoy the walking tracks of the region, overnight in one of the many DOC huts available, hire a bike and go for a bike ride along many of the purpose built tracks, cruise the lake, read a book on the shores of Lake Wakatipu or spend the afternoon sampling some of the country’s best wines at the award-winning wineries in the area.

Queenstown in Autumn

QUEENSTOWN SEASONS

Queenstown in Autumn

1 March – 31 May

Crisp mornings evolve into warm days, and the leaves begin to change colour around the end of March or beginning of April.

Evenings can be spent in front of a roaring fire; choose from a vast selection of bars and restaurants in town with cosy fires. Take a walk around Queenstown gardens and enjoy the changing colours of the trees, or a picnic by the pond. The Great Walks of New Zealand are still accessible, so enjoy a tramp on the Routeburn or Greenstone tracks in the surrounding area.