New Zealand in June: Weather, Tips & More
Looking forward to skiing in New Zealand? Well, we have got great news. June marks the start of winter in New Zealand, which means the resorts in the South will start opening up for the season. Further North, you can expect to find rainy conditions, especially around Auckland, which means it is ideal for indoor exploration. All in all, if you are touring New Zealand in June, visit the South Island for outdoor fun and the North Island for indoor exploration.
New Zealand Weather in June
New Zealand’s weather in June is wintry means that the temperatures tend to drop. Up North in Auckland, it is still pretty mild with temperatures between 15°C and 12°C, but June is also when the city receives the most rainfall in the entire year.
If you are heading South for the ski and adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown, temperatures are much colder between -2°C to 5°C. With an average of three days of snowfall out of an annual average of 16 days, you can expect some fresh powder during your New Zealand vacation in June.
Thinking of heading to the Fjordlands? Bundle up at Milford Sound experiences temperatures between 2°C and 10. It rains approximately half the month.
For a seasonal overview, go through our guide on the best time to visit New Zealand.
Weather in New Zealand in June - Rainfall and Temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 20.2 | 20.2 | 19.6 | 17.6 | 15.5 | 13.6 | 12.6 | 13.1 | 13.7 | 15.1 | 16.7 | 18.8 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 15.9 | 16.5 | 15.3 | 14 | 12.3 | 10.8 | 9.7 | 10.1 | 10.3 | 11.3 | 12.7 | 14.8 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 68.36 | 68.36 | 67.28 | 63.68 | 59.9 | 56.48 | 54.68 | 55.58 | 56.66 | 59.18 | 62.06 | 65.84 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 60.62 | 61.7 | 59.54 | 57.2 | 54.14 | 51.44 | 49.46 | 50.18 | 50.54 | 52.34 | 54.86 | 58.64 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 27 | 29.5 | 32 | 43.5 | 48 | 59 | 52 | 51 | 43 | 37.5 | 40 | 47 |
Why Visit New Zealand in June
With winter rolling in, there is a good mix of things to do, events to attend and reasons to travel to New Zealand in June. Here are some:
- Queenstown Winter Festival: The start of ski season means that Q-Town is open for business. This quintessential ski town kicks off the season, normally in late June, with free concerts, and some really cool slopestyle competitions.
- Better rates in the north: Due to the less-than-ideal weather in the North Island, rates for accommodation and tours tend to take a hit. These are good conditions for exploring Auckland’s many museums and indoor attractions or wrapping up warm to explore, you can grab yourself a great deal.
- Lesser crowds in the north: For much the same reason as the rates going down in the North Island, the tourist numbers are also sparse around this time. As most visitors keep to the South Island in June, you will be free to explore the popular North Island spots like Hobbiton or the Maori city of Rotorua.
Where to go and what to do
The main place that you are going to want to ski in New Zealand in June is Queenstown. It is one of the best skiing and snowboarding locations in the southern hemisphere, and the start of the season is always an exciting time. Whether you are a pro or have never strapped on skis before, there are plenty of ski schools to check out. In the town itself, you will find plenty of adventure excursions including bungee jumping, ziplining, and a giant bungee swing. Adrenaline junkies take note.
There are also plenty of great bars, restaurants and shops in Queenstown for those days where you need to recover from your adventure on the slopes. Do not forget to try the iconic dirty burgers while you are here.
If you are looking for a calmer pace on the South Island, journey down the Fjordlands at Milford Sound and take a boat trip across glacial lakes. One of the most popular spots in the whole country and on a lot of bucket lists, these majestic landscapes need to be seen to be believed. Despite being pretty cold in June, gliding across the lakes and fjords is truly a special experience. The area will be way less crowded in June than in the busy spring and summer months.
If you are not afraid of the cold, the surf season in New Zealand truly picks up in the winter months. The country has plenty of coastlines to choose from. Due to the low water temperatures and size of the swell, June probably is not great for beginners, but if you visit Kaikoura, you can expect great swells at South Island spots. Just check with the locals before you head out to get a good read on the conditions.
So, if you are planning on visiting New Zealand in June, your best bet is to head to the South Island and embrace the snowsports scene and general ski town vibe. While Auckland on the North Island is a great city with rich culture and beautiful nature, the amount of rainfall during June is likely to put a dampener on your outdoor plans. But you can still explore its many indoor attractions. If you are planning a customized trip to New Zealand, contact our local travel experts.
Other articles:
New Zealand in May
New Zealand in July
