One of the greenest places on Earth, New Zealand is a fantastic country to put on your travel itinerary. While it’s not more popular as a travel destination than, say, France or Italy, it has a lot to offer. Its diverse landscape and maritime climate mean you can have it all. From lazy beach days and snorkelling to boat cruises or skiing mountain peaks, it’s one of the rare countries that offers everything in a single package.
What’s important to know about New Zealand is that its climate is different than the Northern Hemisphere. It’s similar to Australia, which means that summer comes later in the year. In this guide, we’ll break down the climate you can expect and show you when it’s the best time to visit New Zealand depending on what you prefer.
What’s the Climate Like?
New Zealand’s weather is heavily affected by the surrounding mountains and seas. Its climate is variable and mild, with many experts calling it temperate. It’s not uncommon to experience all 4 seasons in one day. Medium to heavy rainfall is common in each season. There are also sunny days during the summer, but not like the ones you’ll experience in the Mediterranean.
The milder temperatures are in spots near the ocean. As you get closer to the mountains, they begin to drop. The yearly average temperature is around 15 C on the Northern side, and 9 C in the South.
Despite conditions for heavy rainfall, New Zealand also receives plenty of sunshine. Marlborough in the South and Hawkes Bay and Bay of Plenty in the North receive over 2,350 sunshine days annually. Since there’s no pollution, UV rays are at a high level.
New Zealand in the Summer
The summer in New Zealand lasts from December to February as opposed to June-September in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the ideal time to visit the country if you’re in to check the attractions without worrying about the cold. You can visit any land-based or online New Zealand casino while enjoying local meals and drinks.
Casinos are one of the premium forms of entertainment in NZ. They offer an exquisite experience with plenty of slots and tables and a fantastic fine dining experience as well. The temperatures in summer make it much more convenient for you to visit the country’s attractions.
If you’re only looking to relax on the beach, the summer’s the perfect time for it. The Northern Island is the best location to visit, with all kinds of water activities available. If you’re into snorkeling, there are several amazing spots and tours. Beachside getaways and lazy days at any beach will have you fall in love with New Zealand’s summer. It may not be as hot as, say, Greece, but the mild temperature might even be better than the hottest summer days.
New Zealand in Autumn
Autumn in New Zealand comes in March, April, and May. The changing of the seasons bring out the beautiful colors of New Zealand’s nature. Autumn is the perfect place to visit the country if you like spectacular nature colors and red and golden leaves. You may not be able to hit the beaches (depending on the weather, you might), but there are still great sightseeing tours of forests and national parks.
If you’re travelling close to Easter, you won’t find many tourists. This is why many consider autumn the best time to visit NZ.
New Zealand in Winter
Winter in New Zealand lasts from June to August. It’s a bit shocking to even read a thing like that, as we’re used to cold weather and snow between November and February. But, the seasons in New Zealand are inverted, so if you’re up for skiing, you should go for a trip from June to August.
The temperatures in New Zealand are mild. But, if you’re planning a trip to the mountains, it will get chilly, so bring warm clothing. New Zealand has many ski fields which are active from June to the first week of October. If you’re more of a sightseeing person, the volcanic peaks in Tongariro are a great place to visit.
Most of the snow is in the mountains, which means the roads are clear if you’re in for a self-drive holiday. The lowlands receive only a few days of heavier snow, so traveling from one spot to another is easy.
New Zealand in Spring
Spring in New Zealand occurs from September to November. The ski season is coming to an end, but the Southern Alps are majestic with their snow covering. As the snow starts melting, water rafting season becomes active. If you’re the type of person who likes exploring nature, spring is the best time to visit the country.
You can visit the historic gardens in Otago and Dunedin, or the annual spring festival in Alexandra. Many of these spring festivals are even better than in Europe. This is a time when new flowers and leaves flood New Zealand’s spring landscape, so it makes for a fantastic setting.
Other places worth a trip in spring are Hawkes Bay, where tree blossoms are the highlight. Christchurch is beautiful this time of the year too. There’s a reason they call it the Garden city. With almost no snow and the high temperatures of summer away, spring may be the ideal time to plan a trip to New Zealand.
Conclusion
Regardless of the season, New Zealand is a place that any traveller should visit. There are activities and sights to see from summer to winter. All you need to do is plan your trip accordingly, and New Zealand will treat you like a king.
The diverse nature landscape offers something for everyone. You have local tours to beaches in the summer, or tours to the mountains in the winter. Spring and autumn bring many surprises, making New Zealand an attractive tourist destination. It’s the ideal place to be if you don’t want the hustle and bustle of major European cities.
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