THE BEST TIME TO VISIT QUEENSTOWN

Decided Queenstown is a must-visit on your bucket list? Good call. Now you’ve just got to work out when the best time to visit Queenstown is.

There are some variables that might make this decision a no-brainer for you, but there might be a few things you haven’t considered that I’ll mention here.

For those in the northern hemisphere, don’t forget our seasons are the opposite 😀

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT QUEENSTOWN

QUEENSTOWN IN SUMMER

The last of the people who have come to Queenstown for snow sports are gone, but summer is a popular time to visit Queenstown for a few reasons:

• The NZ School holidays are on, so there is lots of domestic travel happening.
• Those escaping the Northern Hemisphere winter are arriving.
• Australians love crossing the ditch to Queenstown for their Christmas holidays (Queenstown Airport is International).

REASONS TO VISIT QUEENSTOWN IN SUMMER

Long daylight hours! Upwards of 17 hours of daylight a day is awesome. That gives you lots of time to do all of the fun things in Queenstown.
Hiking season in Queenstown commences. This is a drawcard for many to Queenstown. While there are lots of hikes in and around Queenstown you can do year-round, many of the best ones are best completed in summer when the snow has all but disappeared, especially for those hikes along ridgelines. And of course, you’ve got three Great Walks nearby: Routeburn Track, Milford Track, and the Kepler Track.
The temperatures are warming up. A simple look at the weather patterns show you should be ok for full summer attire during the summer months, you might find yourself needing to buy an extra layer or two if you’re unlucky and get a cold spell.
Beaches! Sure, you’re not on the ocean, but there are some Queenstown beaches along some of the rivers and lakes which are lovely. And can get pretty busy!

REASONS NOT TO VISIT QUEENSTOWN IN SUMMER

Parking chaos. Granted this happens year-round, but Queenstown traffic (Frankton Road especially) in summer can be painful and finding a car park can be a nightmare. That said, bring a bike or walk.
Accommodation Prices can be insane. With some weekends offering very few options if you’re booking a week or two in advance. This goes for huts in the region too.
If you’re a foodie, some restaurants are booked out for ages in advance. Enough said. If there are some on your bucket list, get your booking in ASAP.

MY FAVOURITE HIKES IN SUMMER

I’m going to list a couple here that you don’t always see mentioned. You can check the post for all your options around Queenstown.

• Bob’s Cove Walk (then you’ll want to take a swim off the jetty)
• Brow Peak
• A hike into Skippers Canyon, think Dynamo Hut, Bullendale and/or Crystal Hut

QUEENSTOWN IN AUTUMN/FALL

REASONS TO VISIT QUEENSTOWN IN AUTUMN

Great weather. The weather is calm for most of autumn, and the temperatures are nicer than the blaring hot days in January…though the mornings can be a little bit chilly.
Colour! The colours of the trees in and around Queenstown are awesome. The best colours are found in Arrowtown!
Fewer humans. Autumn in Queenstown is a shoulder season meaning the tourism levels have died down which is amazing.

REASONS NOT TO VISIT QUEENSTOWN IN AUTUMN

There’s no real reason not to visit Queenstown in autumn other than it’s lacking a ‘boom’ It’s a shoulder season, so a lot of things just feel like they’re taking it easy before the winter season kickoff.

MY FAVOURITE HIKES IN AUTUMN

• Tobins Track (well anything in/around Arrowtown
• Mount Crichton Loop

QUEENSTOWN IN WINTER

REASONS TO VISIT QUEENSTOWN IN WINTER

It’s snowboard time! And skiing too. If you’re planning to be around for the full season, you’ll want to book your season pass as early as possible for discounted rates. That said, you’ve got a few resorts in the immediate area to choose from and lots of backcountry options further afield.

Plenty of events on. Thanks to a core audience of skiers and snowboarders, there’s always going to be lots of people around who are keen to enjoy other events once they’re back from a day of snow sports. One of the newest events is Snow Machine, another reason to visit Queenstown in winter.

The weather is surprisingly steady. Having been in Queenstown for two winters now, I’m still surprised by how calm the weather is. There are lots of blue skies, and little wind…at lake level that is. It only snows in Queenstown itself a couple of times a year.

REASONS NOT TO VISIT QUEENSTOWN IN WINTER

It’s cold! Yeap, that makes sense. Winter and all. The temperatures aren’t like those you experience in the northern hemisphere winters, but crikey it can be bone-chilling at times.

Daylight hours are short. This is the one that gets me…at 5pm it’s dark and getting out to explore the outdoors just isn’t quite the same.

Traffic can be chaotic. If there’s a bluebird day after a fresh dumping of snow, the traffic is absolutely bonkers.

Some attractions are closed. This makes sense as not all outdoor activities are suited for winter, but the Gibbston canyoning tour could be fun in winter too? That’s one example.

MY FAVOURITE HIKES IN WINTER

• Ben Lomond (if there’s minimal snow at the top…which is only a couple of weeks most winters)
• Moke Lake Track

RELATED POST: VISITING QUEENSTOWN IN JUNE – WHAT TO EXPECT

QUEENSTOWN IN SPRING

REASONS TO VISIT QUEENSTOWN IN SPRING

Peak snow season is over and many ski bums leave town. It’s a bit of a shoulder season so things aren’t so chaotic in town.
In saying that, spring passes are awesome. There’s still plenty of skiing to be had in September and usually well into October. And they can be very affordable for the month and/or daily passes.

Here are some more events and reasons to visit Queenstown in September.

REASONS NOT TO VISIT QUEENSTOWN IN SPRING

Weather can be variable. Weather is more unsettled with wind and rain a more common occurrence compared to winter in my experience. If you’re going to visit Queenstown in spring, you really need to layer up.

MY FAVOURITE HIKES IN SPRING

• Lake Alta (after the skifield has closed)
• Devils Creek Track

FAQ’S ABOUT THE BEST TIME TO VISIT QUEENSTOWN

What’s your favourite time to visit Queenstown?

I’m going to say February and March. There aren’t quite so many tourists about town, meaning there’s a little more space. The weather is pretty settled, and the snow has disappeared from most of the ridgelines making life way easier for people like myself who aren’t well equipped to know when snow is/isn’t safe.

What season is Queenstown best known for?

Winter. That’s because it’s one of the best places to base yourself for skiing and snowboarding in New Zealand. You’ve got Coronet Peak and The Remarkables a short drive away, Cadrona and Treble Cone a bit further beyond and then there’s plenty of backcountry stuff around too. And for the cross country skiiers and snow-shoers, Snow Farm!

What months does it snow in Queenstown?

In theory, it can snow at any time of year, but it’s usually snowing in June, July, August, and September. And then there can be snowfall in May and October as well.

How many days do you need in Queenstown?

How longs a piece of string? If you’re going to stay in Queenstown, give it at least two nights…that way you can go on a day hike and do other activities, and have some time in the town itself.

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If you have any questions about the best time to visit Queenstown, feel free to send me an email jub@churnewzealand.com and or leave a comment/question in the comments box below.

Have fun 😀