Spring Weather in Queenstown . New Zealand
Spring in Queenstown is a time for fun and discovery.
The green valleys burst with fresh spring buds and green pastures yet are surrounded by snow-capped peaks, heralding the arrival of spring.
Spring is a unique season when you can literally do everything Queenstown has on offer.
With the ski fields open until early October, but the basin green with fresh growth, you can ski in the morning and either golf, mountain bike or hike in the afternoons.
The renowned hiking trails are open, so whether you're enjoying spring skiing, cycling, hiking or golfing you can pack a lot of adventure into one day.
Spring skiing brings softer conditions with warmer days and a focus on fun on the mountains. It's the perfect time to hit the slopes for a social time with friends and family.
Warmer days are perfect for kids or learners, while the snow sports enthusiasts can continue to get their fix well into the spring months at any of the region's diverse ski areas.
The sun shines from early morning until 7-8pm, thawing winter's touch, with daytime temperatures ranging between 8°C and 22°C.
The days start to get longer and warmer and while you still need to pack a coat, there are plenty of sunshine hours to design your ideal holiday itinerary.
Queenstown's continental-like climate brings longer, warmer days in spring but it can also mean unpredictable spring weather.
It pays to pack layers and prepare for weather that can be cool in the mountains but also warm down in the valleys and downtown.
You can soak up the best of spring in Queenstown in any number of ways to take full advantage of this great season.
As well as Queenstown's ski areas and cycling and walking tracks being open, they also offer incredible vantage points of the landscape across the region. For keen photographers it's a great time to capture the impressive snow-capped peaks alongside cherry blossom and spring daffodils.
Summer Weather in Queenstown
Summer in Queenstown means long sunny days and fresh alpine air.
It means food, drink, socialising and an irresistible desire for adventurehether it's adrenaline-fuelled or leisurely exploration for an unforgettable Queenstown summer holiday.
The months of December to February are summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
Daytime temperatures reach between 20°C and 30°C and Queenstown's 45° south latitude means that dawn is as early as 5am, while dusk settles around 10pm.
Summer is peak season in Queenstown and the energy of the downtown area, buzzing with a cosmopolitan mix of people from all around the world, is undeniable.
People travel from around the world to experience Queenstown and the Central Otago summer long, dry and with a veritable vitality and vibrancy in the air.
Mild mornings can make way for hot days in this part of the world so plan ahead and pack warmer layers for early mornings and evenings and cooler clothes for the long, hot days.
The sun can be extreme in the South Island so it's a good idea to carry sunblock and a water bottle. The epic summer landscapes and inviting outdoors will have you heading outside and into nature for your next adventure.
Make the most of the sunshine and get out on the water on Lake Wakatipu.
Options include racing along with one of Queenstown's four jet boat operators, sailing above the water while parasailing, kayaking, or taking a leisurely lake cruise on a vintage steamship or luxury yacht.
Fill your day with adventure and activities or relax on the beaches and go swimming or fishing on the lake and surrounding rivers. It's also peak season to enjoy the region's internationally renowned hiking and biking trails.
Autumn Weather in Queenstown
Queenstown delivers an unforgettable autumn experience.
The outstanding golden and red hues dominate the hills around the region and contrast strikingly with the deep blue of our lakes and riversere you can truly immerse yourself in the wonder of the season.
Of the four distinct seasons, autumn's arrival in a blaze of reds and golds is the most dramatic, attracting visitors, artists and photographers from around the world.
The fantastic line-up of regional events and great holiday deals make Queenstown an ideal place to visit in autumn and there are experiences to suit any holiday, whether you're looking for adventure, relaxation, luxury or a family break.
There is also a seemingly endless supply of world-renowned adventure activities ranging from skydiving, bungy jumping, jet boating and paragliding to aerobatic flights, horse trekking, rafting and 4WD, quad bike or off road tours.
For a more relaxed pace, tee up a round of golf, take a boat cruise or scenic flight, sample award-winning Central Otago wines and superb local cuisine, enjoy a treatment at a luxury spa or explore the town's many shops, galleries, bars, cafes and restaurants.
Autumn temperatures are cooler at sunrise and sunset but the warm sunny days are ideal for exploring the region and enjoying the activities and attractions that make Queenstown famous. Discover the backcountry on foot or bike or make the most of the huge network of trails around the region.
The Queenstown Trail
is a New Zealand Great Ride and the 110km network of trails in the Wakatipu basin wind between rivers, lakes and mountain ranges giving easy access to some iconic Queenstown vistas and experiences.
Popular spots such as Queenstown Bay, Frankton, Lake Hayes, Arrowtown or Gibbston's 'valley of vines' can all be accessed via the Queenstown Trailnd many of these spots offer especially wonderful displays of autumn colour.
More challenging biking options include heli-biking, road rides, a bike park and the Southern Hemisphere's only gondola assisted mountain biking. Bike operators and rental providers offer a range of hire packages and guided tour options whether it's for an hour or a multi-day trip.
Queenstown also offers some of the country's best golfing experiences. The world-class, diverse golf courses are set amongst dramatic lake and alpine scenery and are a must-do for keen golfers. Spend a leisurely morning or afternoon taking in a round there are seven options, all within 45 minutes of the town centre, ranging from immaculately groomed 18-hole championship courses to a family friendly 9-hole course and driving range.
New Zealand's premier golf event, the ISPS Handa New Zealand Open tournament is also held in Queenstown in early March. The tier one event on the PGA Tours of Australasia has a unique Pro-Am format that brings together a prestigious blend of professional and amateur golfers and is held across two spectacular golf courses - Millbrook Resort and The Hills.
Winter Weather in Queenstown
Nestled alongside the pristine waters of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by majestic, snowcapped mountains, Queenstown is the perfect winter holiday destination.
Whether you have an appetite for adventure, mountains and fresh air or are more at home enjoying a delicious meal and fine wine next to a roaring fire, get away from the everyday and escape to Queenstown.
The cosmopolitan town has a welcoming, vibrant energy that resonates across the resort to make Queenstown a unique holiday destinationnd at no time is this more obvious than in winter, when skiers and boarders, or those just curious about snow, gather here to lap up the fun.
Every year from early June onwards, the region transforms into a winter wonderland, attracting snow sports enthusiasts from around the world with its incredible lake and alpine scenery, crisp blue-sky days, easy access to some of New Zealand's finest ski and snowboard terrain and A vibrant après ski scene.
The region's four ski area, all within a handy 20 to 90-minute drive of Queenstown, open from early June and offer a range of terrain for all levels whether you're keen to conquer the basics, enjoy groomed runs, tackle off-piste, throw down some freestyle tricks or experience the thrill of night skiing. With the first snowfalls, you can feel the buzz in town as skiers and snowboarders gear up for a season of fun.
Visit Queenstown at the start of the season and experience the electric atmosphere of the town's annual Queenstown Winter Festival in June. Winter Festival has grown into the Southern Hemisphere's biggest winter celebration and is a true showcase of Queenstown's unique culture and community, with fireworks, entertainment, live music, comedy, loads of family fun, and plenty of mountain mayhem, and loved by locals and visitors alike.
However Winter Festival is just the start when it comes to Queenstown's winter event calendar there's loads to do both on and off mountain throughout the season!
The NZ Mountain film festival is held in July in Queenstown and is a collection of the world's best adventure films and speakers with amazing atmosphere and inspiring films. If the film fest whets your appetite for adventure racing, Queenstown's famous Peak to Peak is on the 13 August. This is the South Island's biggest winter multisport event and attracts competitors from around New Zealand.
If the thrill of mountain climbing is what you are after The Remarkables Ice & Mixed Festival in August brings together winter alpine climbers from around New Zealand and overseas to advance and promote modern mixed and ice climbing.
Later in the season, Gay Ski Week QT adds its own glitz and glamour when hundreds of revellers come from around the world to Queenstown for the Southern Hemisphere's biggest gay alpine celebration.
Just before the first buds of spring start to arrive, but still very wintery, the Audi quattro Wintergames attracts world class athletes in late August to compete for glory in freestyle skiing, snowboarding, alpine skiing and cross-country skiing. The sporting action is complemented by a festival programme, after all snow and partying go hand in hand together.