Queenstown Weather & Climate: What is the Weather Like in Queenstown?

© Pxhere

Temperatures in Queenstown

In the southern centre of the South Island, surrounded by mountains, Queenstown experiences a mix of cold temperatures during the winter to mild temperatures in summer. With very little wind compared to New Zealand’s coastal cities, temperatures can feel hot, especially in summer when the sun is shining with high UV levels.

Average Daily Temperature Month by Month

• January – 14-18ºC (57-64ºF)
• February – 15-18ºC (59-64ºF)
• March – 13-16ºC (55-61ºF)
• April – 9-12ºC (48-54ºF)
• May – 4-6ºC (39-43ºF)
• June – 2-4ºC (36-39ºF)
• July – 1-3ºC (34-37ºF)
• August – 4-6ºC (39-42ºF)
• September – 8ºC (46ºF)
• October – 9-11ºC (48-51ºF)
• November – 13ºC (55ºF)
• December – 14ºC (57ºF)

Check out What is the Weather Like in New Zealand? to see more temperatures month by month around the country.

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The Climate of Queenstown: Rain, Sunshine, etc.

Queenstown is much drier than other towns and cities in New Zealand, especially in summer. Winter is when more rain occurs, falling as rain in the town and snow on the surrounding mountains. The area experiences a mix of clouds and sunshine, with an average of 1,921 sunshine hours per year.

Average Monthly Rainfall

• January – 30mm (1″)
• February – 20mm (0.8″)
• March – 50mm (2″)
• April – 50mm (2″)
• May – 30-50mm (1-2″)
• June – 30-60mm (1-2.4″)
• July – 20-50mm (0.7-2″)
• August – 30-60mm (1-2.3″)
• September – 30mm-50mm (1″-2″)
• October – 40mm-60mm (1.5″-2.4″)
• November – 30mm-70mm (1″-2.7″)
• December – 40mm-80mm (1.5″-3″)

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What to Pack for Queenstown

Packing warm clothing is essential for a trip to Queenstown for most months of the year, especially a warm jacket that’s waterproof and windproof.

In summer, long layers are also advised so you can put them on when the sun is behind the clouds, but warm weather clothing, such as shorts, T-shirts, etc. are comfortable in summer.

Be sure to protect yourself from the high UV levels with sunscreen and a sunhat in summer.

Queenstown Packing List

• Pants (jeans, leggings, hiking pants, etc.)
• Shorts/skirt (summer)
• Sneakers (casual shoes for town walking)
• Hiking shoes (if you plan on doing any walks/hikes)
• Tops (T-shirts, shirts, singlets, etc.)
• Light long-sleeved top (sun protection in summer)
• Mid-layer (sweater, cardigan, hoody, etc.)
• Thermal underlayer (tops and bottoms made of wool or polypropylene – only needed around winter)
• Warm jacket (late spring, winter and early autumn)
• Rain jacket
• Socks
• Underwear and bras
• Swimwear (hot pools, water activities or lake swimming)
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Sunhat/cap
• Sleeping attire (pyjamas)
• Camera
• New Zealand Dollars
• Passport (proof of age for buying alcohol)
• Reusable travel shopping bags

For a more complete packing list for travelling around New Zealand, see New Zealand Packing List: What to Pack for New Zealand, as well as our seasonal packing lists:

• Packing List for Summer in New Zealand
• Packing List for Autumn or Spring in New Zealand
• Packing List for Winter in New Zealand