Best time to visit New Zealand

Any time during our hiking season, which runs from October through to April, is a wonderful time to explore New Zealand. Our climate is temperate and well suited to getting outdoors, with daytime temperatures typically sitting in the mid 20s°C or high 70s°F at the warmest. 

Across these months, you can expect comfortable hiking conditions, long daylight hours, and ever-changing landscapes from spring wildflowers to autumn colour. The best time to visit often comes down to the type of experience you are looking for. 

Some of our favourite times for exploring New Zealand have to be our early Autumn months of March and April. Autumn is one of the most vibrant times to experience New Zealand. The landscapes are starting to take on a golden hue from the Autumn colours, the days are calm and clear, and our national parks are quiet, creating the perfect conditions for exploring our trails, lakes and coastlines, with plenty of daylight to make the most of every stop along the way. 

March still carries the warmth of late summer, with long daylight hours and settled weather. It is a favourite option of our guests who enjoy comfortable temperatures for walking, along with a quieter feel on the trails. Towns are lively, yet never crowded, and the pace feels relaxed. 

You can read more about travelling in New Zealand in the Spring, Summer, and Autumn months below, if you’d like. 

Spring brings colourful landscapes, snow-capped peaks, flowing waterfalls, and comfortable hiking temperatures. It’s the perfect balance of fresh alpine scenery and longer daylight hours. 

Our walking and hiking season begins in October, one of our favourite times to explore New Zealand. October brings quiet trails, clear days and temperate weather. Waterfalls are at their fullest from winter snowmelt, the rivers are a striking blue, and a dusting of snow remains on the top of the mountains, giving the perfect backdrop for your adventures. The pace in towns and on the trails is relaxed, and everything feels fresh and exciting at the start of the season. If you are planning to combine New Zealand with a visit to Australia, this is an ideal time to travel, before Australia’s temperatures climb into the hotter months.

As the weeks move into November and December, the landscapes become even more colourful. Wildflowers bloom across the country, including the famous lupins and Mt Cook lilies in alpine areas. Lambs dot the hillsides, and the longer daylight hours mean more time to enjoy being outdoors.  

November is the best time of year to see Fiordland crested penguins and native New Zealand fur seal pups. If you are planning your trip around the wildflowers, aim for December when they are in full bloom. 

Spring is ideal for guests enjoy: 

Summer brings long, light-filled days and warmer temperatures across the country. New Zealand's summer is very temperate with high's in our warmest months (January and February) around the mid 20's Celsius/high 70's Fahrenheit, making it ideal for enjoying our trails, lakes, beaches, and spending time outdoors. 

Late December is a particularly special time to travel. The days are long, the lakes are warming up, and the landscapes are lush from spring growth. There is a festive energy in the air as we Kiwis begin our summer holidays. While this is our most popular time of year domestically, “busy” in New Zealand feels very relaxed. Our towns, open spaces, and national parks retain a sense of calm and space, especially on a guided trip like ours where everything is thoughtfully planned. 

If you haven’t experienced a warm festive season before, you’re in for a treat. Here in New Zealand, the holidays are spent outdoors, enjoying long evenings, swimming in clear lakes, sharing BBQs with friends and family, and making the most of the sunshine. 

Summer is ideal for guests who enjoy: