Where to Visit in Autumn in New Zealand
There’s something quite addictive about looking at pictures of New Zealand in the autumn (March, April and May). Some areas, in particular, are like walking through a fantasy land, with the rich orange and brown colours coating the land.
With the sunshine hours still clinging on from summer, the temperature starts to cool off just a bit, yet it’s still comfortable to tackle some of those hikes and enjoy New Zealand outdoors. Better yet, the crowds go down from the influx of tourists New Zealand experiences in summer, so in some places, you can really enjoy that feeling of serenity.
Although New Zealand is beautiful all year round, walking in the forest or getting a vineyard view is something extra special during autumn. Autumn is a good time to be in Middle-earth. Before we begin, be sure to bookmark The Best Travel Guide to New Zealand for even more tips.
Table of Contents
1. Wanaka
Do you know how hard it is to choose just one picture to capture how amazing Wanaka looks in the autumn?! They all look so good! If you are seeking autumn colours for your travels in New Zealand, then Wanaka is an extremely good choice. Autumn is also a good time to do some mountain biking in Wanaka, as well as preparing for the ski season if you are a working holidaymaker looking for a ski season job.
© pxhere2. Hawke’s Bay
The colours from the treelined roads, through the crisp vineyards, and to the coast are pretty darn beautiful. Autumn is a great time to try out the many vineyards and cellar doors of the Hawke’s Bay region during the wine-making season.
© Hawke's Bay Tourism3. Mackenzie District (Canterbury)
The Mackenzie district in Canterbury is lively year-round but more particularly in autumn. Heaps of birds are out feasting on the autumn seed heads. The contrasts of seasons with the snowy mountains behind orange fields aren’t bad either.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. Gisborne
Near Gisborne is autumn’s hidden gem. Eastwoodhill is an arboretum (tree park) with the largest selection of Northern Hemisphere trees in the Southern Hemisphere, so as you can imagine, this is the best place for rolling in the golden leaves.
© pxhere5. Marlborough
Autumn is the best time to experience the Queen Charlotte Track on the Marlborough Sounds. It is uncrowded making it feel like just you and the peaceful world around you. Marlborough is the top wine-making region so a pretty sight is the rows and rows of vineyards.
© Phillip Capper on FlickrNew Zealand Has Other Seasons Too, You Know
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2025])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
