Beautypically

The climate and the best time to travel to New Zealand

According to behealthybytomorrow, New Zealand is located in the South Pacific. The country consists of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island , as well as smaller, offshore islands. Due to its location in the southern hemisphere, the seasons in New Zealand are opposite to those in Europe. If winter is in Austria, it is summer in New Zealand. When summer arrives in Austria, winter sets in in New Zealand. The location in the southern hemisphere has another impact: New Zealand has a temperate and mild climate . There are no climatic extremes on either the North Island or the South Island. Nevertheless, they differ in different regions in New Zealand. Basically, the sun shines more often in the north and east and there is less rain than in the south and west. There is more detailed information on the climate and weather on the two main islands below. It can also be said that many regions benefit from 2,000 hours of sunshine or more. Nevertheless, one thing is clear: it rains relatively often in New Zealand. The precipitation is distributed over the entire year. In the higher altitudes it is generally cooler than in the coastal areas. Snowfall is not uncommon in the mountainous heights. At the highest points there is snow all year round. Furthermore, the weather in New Zealand can be extremely changeable, similar to the UK. All of these facts show: It’s hard to determine the best time to travel to New Zealand . It depends on your individual preferences on a New Zealand vacation. If you want to enjoy a lot of sunshine, I recommend the New Zealand summer as the best time to travel . January and February are the warmest and driest months. For those who love snow and want to go on glacier excursions, the winter months are the best time to travel to New Zealand . In the following, you will find out what makes this and other seasons so special. With all the other information you can individually determine your optimal travel time for the dreamlike country.

Climate and best travel time for the North Island of New Zealand

First of all, it can be said that there is more sunshine and less rainfall on the North Island than on the South Island. The North Island of New Zealand can be divided into two regions, which differ in climate. In the north of the island, where Auckland is located, there is a subtropical climate . That means: the winters are mild and the summer months are warm. In summer you can have a great time here on the beach. The months of December , January , February and March apply to the best travel time for a beach holiday on New Zealand’s North Island. Many holidaymakers choose this travel time for their New Zealand trip. It is high season and the prices for the flights and accommodation are more expensive than in other times of the year. But at this travel time you can count on stable weather. The rainy days per month are nine to ten. You also enjoy the highest number of hours of sunshine per day. The exact weather and climate data can be found in the table below. Auckland serves as a reference point for the climate in the north of the North Island. Based on the data, you can decide on an alternative travel time for New Zealand.

The best months to travel to New Zealand (Wellington) at a glance:

• December (beach holiday): 19 ° C, 7 hours of sunshine, 17 ° C water temperature, 9 rainy days
• January (beach holiday): 21 ° C, 8 hours of sunshine, 17 ° C water temperature, 7 rainy days
• February (beach holiday): 22 ° C, 7 hours of sunshine, 18 ° C water temperature, 7 rainy days
• March (beach holiday): 19 ° C, 6 hours of sunshine, 18 ° C water temperature, 8 rainy days
• June (ski vacation): 12 ° C, 4 hours of sunshine, 14 ° C water temperature, 14 rainy days
• July (ski vacation): 11 ° C, 4 hours of sunshine, 13 ° C water temperature, 14 rainy days
• August (ski vacation): 12 ° C, 4 hours of sunshine, 13 ° C water temperature, 13 rainy days

Climate table for Auckland on the North Island

The further it goes from the north to the south of the North Island, the fresher it gets. The rest of the North Island, including Wellington in the south , has a temperate climate . The temperate climate ensures mild winters and warm summers. The temperatures are similar to those in the north of the island, but deviate downwards. For this reason, I recommend the summer months as the best time to travel to New Zealand for the rest of the regions on the North Sea island and Wellington . In the winter months, temperatures drop extremely and the number of rainy days increases. But if you want to spend a winter and skiing holiday in New Zealand , the months of June to August are ideal.

Climate table for Wellington on the North Island

Climate and best travel time for the South Island of New Zealand

Temperatures on the South Island of New Zealand are a few degrees Celsius lower than on the North Island. Nevertheless, there are different climatic conditions in the different regions of the island . For example, the east coast with Christchurch is drier than the west coast. Temperatures are lower on the west coast and wind and rain show up all year round. It is milder on the east coast and temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees Celsius in winter. The summer months on the east coast are ideal for relaxing on the beach or exploring the countryside. The north of the South Island benefits from a lot of sunshine. Nevertheless, there is occasional rainfall here, which supplies the rainforests on the coast with water. The Weather conditions in the south are mild. The temperatures are stable, around 15 degrees Celsius in summer and 5 degrees Celsius in winter. Overall, the weather on the South Island of New Zealand is comparable to the Austrian weather. The only difference: the seasons are opposite. I recommend the summer months December to February as the best travel time for the South Island . Even if there are regional differences, you can count on the best weather conditions in summer. Lots of sunshine, pleasant water and air temperatures and the least chance of rain. The ski bunnies among you should choose a different travel time. During the New Zealand winter months from June to August you can chase down the slopes in the mountains and enjoy lots of fun in the snow.