Summer in New Zealand: Destinations and Weather Tips

Across the country, weather in New Zealand in the summer is largely warm with relatively low rainfall. The further North you are, the warmer it gets, with average temperatures in Auckland ranging from 17°C to 22°C in summer.

On the flip side, in the southern heart of the New Zealand fjord lands, in places like Milford Sound, the temperatures can reach lows of 10°C. It’s also chillier the higher up in altitude you are. Hence, the mountain city of Queenstown in the Southern Alps, can see average temperatures anywhere from 17°C to as low as 6°C.

	December	January	February
Avg high	19°C (66°F)	20°C (68°F)	20°C (68°F)
Avg low	15°C (59°F)	16°C (61°F)	17°C (63°F)
Sunlight hour	15	15	14
Rainy days	12	10	8
Precipitation	47 mm	27 mm	30 mm

For a seasonal overview, check out our guide on the best time to visit New Zealand.

Other related articles:
New Zealand in December
New Zealand in January
New Zealand in February

Summer tours in New Zealand are wonderful. Here are a few reasons why.

• Weather: If you’re looking for great conditions to explore New Zealand's sights, the summer weather in New Zealand is the hottest and driest it'll be all year long. Perfect!
• Festivals: New Zealand in the summer is packed with cultural events and festivals, including the Laneway music festival.
• Outdoor adventures: Whether you love hiking, cycling, surfing, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, and more, summer in New Zealand offers the ideal weather conditions.
• Tours and transport are in full flow: With the peak tourism season, almost all tour companies and transport routes are open for business, so the country becomes accessible. Whether you want to check out the deep south of the Fjordlands or head out to Waiheke Island in the North, it’s all possible.

With so many amazing places to visit in New Zealand during the summer months, it can be tricky to organize an itinerary, so we’ll help you out. Here are our recommendations on the top summer destinations:

1. Queenstown

There’s no getting around the fact that Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand. Have your pick of bungee jumps, skydiving experiences, zip lines, and the iconic bungee swing —it’s an adrenaline junkie’s dream destination. Whether you want to get your heart rate racing or enjoy a hike around the local mountains in the sunshine, a trip to Queenstown should be at the top of your summer New Zealand bucket list.

Major attractions: Queenstown Mountain, Shotover Canyon, and Bob’s Peak.

Pros:

• There are plenty of excursions and trips available during the summer months, including bungee jumping, zip lines, and more.
• You can enjoy longer hikes around the local Southern alpine trails with the longer daylight hours.
• Thanks to a lack of clouds in the summer, skydiving in Queenstown during these months offers spectacular views.

Cons:

• It is a busy period with a high tourism season and many locals having holidays, so accommodation gets booked up quickly.
• With all the demand for accommodation and adventures, prices can get expensive.

2. Bay of Islands

Bay of Islands actually has its own subtropical microclimate, with average temperatures ranging from 25°C to 27°C in the summer months. This makes it the ideal destination to kick back and relax at the gorgeous sandy beaches, take a dip in the warm waters, or enjoy the amazing views along the popular coastal hiking trails.

Major attractions: Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Rainbow Falls, 90 Mile Beach and Paihia Harbour.

Pros:

• Due to the microclimate, you can benefit from the glorious weather perfect for the beach.
• The ferries between the islands frequently run as it’s the peak season.
• Popular tours, like dolphin spotting cruises, happen much more often during the summer.

Cons:

• Accommodation can be hard to find if you don’t book in advance. Like with any peak-season travel, preparation is key!
• Beaches can get crowded throughout the summer season. You might be out of luck if you’re looking for secluded coves.

3. Abel Tasman National Park

Glorious beaches, pristine wildlife reserves, and iconic coastal trails make Abel Tasman National Park a popular summer destination on the South Island of New Zealand. Summer offers the ideal conditions for outdoor exploration with warm temperatures averaging around 22°C and few rainy days, making spotting wildlife like seals, penguins, and dolphins a pleasure.

Major attractions: Split Apple Rock, Abel Tasman Coast Track and Ngarua Caves.

Pros:

• The sunny and dry weather offers perfect conditions for hiking along the stunning coastal paths.
• You’ll find plenty of places renting out kayaks, paddleboards, and more fun activities, as it’s peak season.
• Summer is a great time for whale watching in the area. Entire pods of orcas are commonly spotted all across the national park.
  

Cons:

• This is a popular spot with tourists and locals and the main areas get really busy in the summertime.
• There isn’t a ton of accommodation in the area, so you might have to stay a little ways out of the national park and travel each day.

From getting your adrenaline going in Queenstown to relaxing on a beach at the Bay of Islands, there is something for everyone during summer in New Zealand.

There are so many awesome things to do in New Zealand in Summer and here are some of our favorites!

• Kayaking: New Zealand has many miles of coastline and tons of lakes, all excellent to explore by kayak. Taupo on the North Island has great places for beginners to give it a go. Kayaks and boats can be hired for a couple of hours at lakeside or seaside towns. Alternatively, you can jump on a guided tour for a full day. Check out our kayaking tours in New Zealand.
• Hiking tours in New Zealand: It’s no secret that New Zealand is home to some of the best hiking trails in the entire world. Summer offers dry and warm conditions to hit the popular trails in places like Franz Josef, Tongariro, and along the Bay of Plenty. Whether you love mountain hikes, coastal landscapes, or multi-day treks, summer in New Zealand has them all!
• Extreme sports: If you want to jump out of a plane, freefall off a bridge with just a bungee cord attached to your feet, or slip and slide down waterfalls on a canyoning adventure, there are plenty of extreme sports options all around New Zealand. The sunshine and lack of storms make it the perfect time to cross one of these adrenaline-fuelled activities off your New Zealand bucket list.

It is highly unlikely that you will run out of options to have a good time in New Zealand in the summer.

• If you’re hiking in the backcountry, make sure that you bring a paper map. The signal, especially in the Southern Alps, can be sketchy.
• Camping? A lot of people opt to travel around the country in a campervan, so book your campsites in advance as they get super busy in the summer months.
• Staying in Auckland? Make sure you get a ferry to Waiheke Island and enjoy the many local vineyards in the summer sunshine.

If you’re looking for a dreamy vacation filled with sun, sea, sand, and adventure, you need to visit New Zealand during the summer. It doesn’t matter if you’re an outdoorsy type, love wildlife, or want to check out a festival or two, this amazing country has it all. If you’re struggling to create an itinerary, our travel experts can help you with a customized trip to New Zealand.