When to go · Dunedin
Dunedin in May
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Nov–Mar (long days, warmest, penguins and albatross breeding)). Across New Zealand: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C) / 6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 7
- Crowds
- Low
- New Zealand overall
- Prices
- Low
- New Zealand overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Nov–Mar (long days, warmest, penguins and albatross breeding)). Across New Zealand: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- NovemberGreatInside Dunedin's best window: Nov–Mar (long days, warmest, penguins and albatross breeding).
- DecemberGreatInside Dunedin's best window: Nov–Mar (long days, warmest, penguins and albatross breeding).
- JanuaryGreatInside Dunedin's best window: Nov–Mar (long days, warmest, penguins and albatross breeding).
- FebruaryGreatInside Dunedin's best window: Nov–Mar (long days, warmest, penguins and albatross breeding).
Weather in May
- DunedinHighs around 13 °C (55 °F), lows around 6 °C (43 °F), rain on about 7 daysHighs around 55 °F (13 °C), lows around 43 °F (6 °C), rain on about 7 days
- Otago coast and far south, New Zealand · Dunedin, the Catlins, Stewart Islandcool
Cool and changeable year-round; short winter days (about 9 hours of light in June).
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · New Zealand overall
- Low
- Prices · New Zealand overall
- Low
New Zealand overall: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Dunedin, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 13 °C (55 °F)55 °F (13 °C)
Jan: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Night low
May: 6 °C (43 °F)43 °F (6 °C)
Jan: 12 °C (54 °F)54 °F (12 °C)
Rain days
May: 7
Jan: 7
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: High
Prices
May: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 1
May: Outside the best window (Nov–Mar (long days, warmest, penguins and albatross breeding)). Across New Zealand: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
January: Inside Dunedin's best window: Nov–Mar (long days, warmest, penguins and albatross breeding).
Dunedin: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket