When to go · Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo in May
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Nov–Apr; Dec–Feb for warm days and lupins, Mar–Apr for quieter roads). 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
- 11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C) / 1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 8
- Crowds
- Low
- New Zealand overall
- Prices
- Low
- New Zealand overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Nov–Apr; Dec–Feb for warm days and lupins, Mar–Apr for quieter roads). 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 Lake Tekapo's best window: Nov–Apr; Dec–Feb for warm days and lupins, Mar–Apr for quieter roads.
- DecemberGreatInside Lake Tekapo's best window: Nov–Apr; Dec–Feb for warm days and lupins, Mar–Apr for quieter roads.
- JanuaryGreatInside Lake Tekapo's best window: Nov–Apr; Dec–Feb for warm days and lupins, Mar–Apr for quieter roads.
- FebruaryGreatInside Lake Tekapo's best window: Nov–Apr; Dec–Feb for warm days and lupins, Mar–Apr for quieter roads.
Weather in May
- Lake TekapoHighs around 11 °C (52 °F), lows around 1 °C (34 °F), rain on about 8 daysHighs around 52 °F (11 °C), lows around 34 °F (1 °C), rain on about 8 days
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 Lake Tekapo, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 11 °C (52 °F)52 °F (11 °C)
Jan: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Night low
May: 1 °C (34 °F)34 °F (1 °C)
Jan: 9 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9 °C)
Rain days
May: 8
Jan: 8
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: High
Prices
May: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 1
May: Outside the best window (Nov–Apr; Dec–Feb for warm days and lupins, Mar–Apr for quieter roads). Across New Zealand: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
January: Inside Lake Tekapo's best window: Nov–Apr; Dec–Feb for warm days and lupins, Mar–Apr for quieter roads.
Lake Tekapo: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings