When to go · Franz Josef
Franz Josef in October
Good month. Outside the best window (Feb–Apr; also Dec–Jan for long days). Across New Zealand: Spring warms up; waterfalls full; Great Walk season starts late in the month (check dates).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) / 6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 18
- Crowds
- Medium
- New Zealand overall
- Prices
- Medium
- New Zealand overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Feb–Apr; also Dec–Jan for long days). Across New Zealand: Spring warms up; waterfalls full; Great Walk season starts late in the month (check dates).
Is another month better than October?
October is rated good. These months rate higher:
- DecemberGreatInside Franz Josef's best window: Feb–Apr; also Dec–Jan for long days.
- JanuaryGreatInside Franz Josef's best window: Feb–Apr; also Dec–Jan for long days.
- FebruaryGreatInside Franz Josef's best window: Feb–Apr; also Dec–Jan for long days.
- MarchGreatInside Franz Josef's best window: Feb–Apr; also Dec–Jan for long days.
Weather in October
- Franz JosefHighs around 16 °C (61 °F), lows around 6 °C (43 °F), rain on about 18 daysHighs around 61 °F (16 °C), lows around 43 °F (6 °C), rain on about 18 days
- West Coast and Fiordland, New Zealand · Franz Josef, Fox, Milford Sound, Te Anaurainy
Among the wettest places on earth (Milford gets 6–7 m a year): rain makes the waterfalls, but slips close roads; sandflies all summer.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · New Zealand overall
- Medium
- Prices · New Zealand overall
- Medium
New Zealand overall: Spring warms up; waterfalls full; Great Walk season starts late in the month (check dates).
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Franz Josef, side by side.
Verdict
Oct: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Oct: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Jan: 21 °C (70 °F)70 °F (21 °C)
Night low
Oct: 6 °C (43 °F)43 °F (6 °C)
Jan: 11 °C (52 °F)52 °F (11 °C)
Rain days
Oct: 18
Jan: 14 (better)
Crowds
Oct: Medium
Jan: High
Prices
Oct: Medium
Jan: High
Festivals listed
Oct: 0
Jan: 1
October: Outside the best window (Feb–Apr; also Dec–Jan for long days). Across New Zealand: Spring warms up; waterfalls full; Great Walk season starts late in the month (check dates).
January: Inside Franz Josef's best window: Feb–Apr; also Dec–Jan for long days.
Franz Josef: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast