Vibrant and uplifting, spring in New Zealand lasts from September to November.
Discover the places and experiences that are highly recommended for a New Zealand spring holiday. While you might encounter the odd rainy day, you won’t need to compete with the crowds of summer high season.
Average daytime temperatures during spring range between 19 degrees Celsius (°C) in the north to 16°C in the south. Expect a mixture of weather – crisp, sunny days can briskly change to cooler temperatures with spring showers.
Spring in New Zealand spans September, October and November.
As the weather warms up, people start to embrace outdoor activities again. Although it is generally still too cool to swim in the North Island, sports such as kayaking, fishing or white water rafting are popular in September.
The mountains are typically still snowy at this time of year, so the ski season runs until mid or late September.
In Auckland, the average high temperature is 16°C and the average low is 10°C. September is still a wet month in the North Island, with an average of 10 rainy days.
In Queenstown, the average high temperature is 13°C and the average low is 2°C.
Daylights savings typically starts around the end of September, which means in October you can enjoy longer days and lighter evenings.
At the end of October is Labour Weekend. For many Kiwis, this long weekend heralds the start of the warm season and is the time when they take their first dip in the ocean or plant their tomatoes for summer.
Many Great Walks also open in late October. This means the trails are safe to walk again and you can book nights at the comfortable Department of Conservation (DOC) huts.
In Auckland, the average high temperature is 18°C and the average low is 11°C.
In Queenstown, the average high temperature is 15°C and the average low is 4°C.
Late spring is a great time to travel in New Zealand. The weather tends to be pleasant and settled. Despite this, it's a quiet season for tourism so accommodation is plentiful.
In November the weather is warming up and the days are getting longer, so you can start to enjoy beaches and coastal drives in the North Island.
This is also the ideal time to visit popular national parks in the South Island, such as Aoraki/Mount Cook or Abel Tasman, before the summer crowds get there.
In Auckland, the average high temperature is 20°C and the average low is 12°C. There are only seven days of rain on average.
In Queenstown, the average high temperature is 18°C and the average low is 6°C.
Lambs are frolicking, daffodils are blooming and the sun is shining. Spring is a great time to get outdoors before the weather gets too hot for hiking.
Here are some of the top things to do during spring in New Zealand.
Spring is our ‘waterfall season’ – the country’s falls multiply with magnificent effect. Fiordland in particular has impressive waterfalls during this time.
It’s the most impressive time of year to take a tour to Hobbiton Film Set(opens in new window); the charming bluebells and Middle‑earth™ gardens are in full flower.
Explore world-class vineyards in Hawke’s Bay as well as their prestigious Food and Wine festival, FAWC, or explore the great outdoors on one of New Zealand’s Great Walks or Cycle Trails.
The rolling fields of the Waikato and Taranaki regions become a rich green in spring. This is the ideal time to go for day walks in these areas and spot newborn calves and lambs. It's also the perfect time of year to visit Hamilton Gardens.
In Christchurch, visit Hagley Park to see cherry blossoms in their full glory.
Spring is also a great time to visit places such as Cape Reinga in the far North, before summer sends the temperatures soaring.
Here are a few insider tips for spring travel in New Zealand.
Depending on snowfall, New Zealand’s ski resorts usually close in late September, so you can still get in some early spring skiing trips.
Spring weather in New Zealand is famous for changing suddenly. You could find yourself in a bout of spring rain with little warning, so make sure to pack a rain coat.
Spring in New Zealand is off-peak season, sitting between the busy winter ski season and summer holidays. This makes it a great time to travel, with plenty of deals available and no need to book in advance.
