New Zealand – South Island
Every landscape crammed onto one island: fjords, glaciers, alps, empty beaches, and roads with nobody else on them.
The best time to visit New Zealand – South Island is Dec–Mar, or Jul for snow, when typical daytime highs reach about 20°C (68°F). Local time there is 06:17 (UTC+13).
Good for
In season
The year at a glance
January · high 21°C · rain 95mm · 15.2h of daylight · in the recommended window
shaded columns are the recommended window
Measured at Queenstown, the arrival airport
Averages for 2019–2023 from Open-Meteo’s archive, not a forecast
| Month | High °CHigh °F | Rain mmRain in | Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°C70°F | 95mm3.7in | 15.2h15.2h | in the recommended window |
| February | 21°C69°F | 120mm4.7in | 14.0h14.0h | in the recommended window |
| March | 19°C66°F | 97mm3.8in | 12.5h12.5h | in the recommended window |
| April | 15°C59°F | 108mm4.3in | 10.9h10.9h | |
| May | 12°C54°F | 125mm4.9in | 9.5h9.5h | |
| June | 7°C45°F | 101mm4.0in | 8.8h8.8h | |
| July | 7°C44°F | 124mm4.9in | 9.1h9.1h | in the recommended window |
| August | 8°C47°F | 115mm4.5in | 10.3h10.3h | |
| September | 11°C52°F | 178mm7.0in | 11.9h11.9h | |
| October | 14°C57°F | 132mm5.2in | 13.5h13.5h | |
| November | 17°C63°F | 115mm4.5in | 14.9h14.9h | |
| December | 19°C66°F | 154mm6.1in | 15.6h15.6h | in the recommended window |
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When is the best time to visit New Zealand – South Island?
The best time to visit New Zealand – South Island is Dec–Mar, or Jul for snow, when typical daytime highs reach about 20°C (68°F).
How warm does New Zealand – South Island get?
Typical daytime highs in New Zealand – South Island are Mar–May 15°C (60°F), Jun–Aug 7°C (45°F), Sep–Nov 14°C (57°F), Dec–Feb 20°C (68°F).
Is New Zealand – South Island expensive?
On the ground, New Zealand – South Island is steep.
What sort of trip is New Zealand – South Island good for?
New Zealand – South Island is good for adventure holidays, nature and scenery, bucket-list trips, food and drink.
How rainy is New Zealand – South Island?
The wettest month in New Zealand – South Island is September at 178mm (7.0in), the driest January at 95mm (3.7in), with a monthly average of 122mm (4.8in).
What plug do I need for New Zealand – South Island?
New Zealand – South Island uses type I sockets at 230 V.
