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When to go · New Zealand

New Zealand in October

Good month. Spring warms up; waterfalls full; Great Walk season starts late in the month (check dates).

Key facts

Verdict
Good
Crowds
Medium
New Zealand
Prices
Medium
New Zealand

Verdict

GoodVoykit month rating for 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:

Weather in October

  • Northland and Auckland · Bay of Islands, Auckland, Coromandelfine

    Subtropical-mild: humid summers around 24 °C (75 °F), wet but rarely cold winters (14 °C (57 °F) days); showers in any month.

  • Central North Island · Rotorua, Taupō, Tongarirofine

    The volcanic plateau is high: frosts and snow on the Tongariro Crossing in winter (guided only then); summer is the crossing season.

  • Wellington and Marlborough-Nelson · Wellington, Picton, Nelson, Abel Tasmanfine

    Nelson and Blenheim are the sunniest towns in the country; Wellington's wind and Cook Strait swell can cancel ferries.

  • Southern Alps and lakes · Queenstown, Wānaka, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Tekapofine

    Hot dry summers, clear cold winters with ski fields Jun–Sep; chains needed on passes; autumn colour in April.

  • West Coast and Fiordland · 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.

  • Otago coast and far south · Dunedin, the Catlins, Stewart Islandfine

    Cool and changeable year-round; short winter days (about 9 hours of light in June).

  • Bay of Islands: Bay of Islands · Paihia, Russell, Kerikeri and the coastfine

    Subtropical: warmest and driest Dec–Mar (25–27 °C (77–81 °F) days), wettest and windiest Jun–Aug. Water is warmest Feb–Mar.

  • Far Far North: Far Far North · Aupouri Peninsulacool

    Summer (Dec–Apr) is warm and long‑daylight; winter can be cool and windy, especially on the coast.

  • Lower Northland: Coastal Lower Northland · Whangarei area and west coastbest weather

    Mild maritime climate; warmest Jan–Feb (~22 °C (72 °F)), coolest Jul–Aug (~12 °C (54 °F)). Rainfall spread year‑round.

  • North Island: Auckland and Northland · Upper North Islandfine

    Warmest and wettest part of the island; rain arrives in short heavy showers year-round.

  • North Island: Central North Island · Rotorua, Taupō, Tongarirofine

    Inland and higher; frost and snow on the volcanoes in winter (Jul–Aug), which is also the ski season.

  • North Island: Wellington · Greater Wellingtonfine

    Wind is the local weather; the ferry across Cook Strait can be cancelled in rough conditions.

  • South Island: West Coast · Franz Josef, Fox, Haastfine

    One of the wettest places in New Zealand — over 2000 mm a year. Rain is normal; plan around it, not against it.

  • South Island: Canterbury and Mackenzie Country · Christchurch, Tekapo, Mount Cookfine

    Dry east of the Alps; hot northwesterly winds can push summer temperatures into the 30s. Winter snow closes alpine roads at times.

  • South Island: Otago and Southland · Queenstown, Wanaka, Dunedin, Te Anaufine

    Cooler the further south you go; alpine areas are cold in winter and snow-capped much of the year.

  • Wairarapa: Wairarapa · Sheltered east of the Rimutaka and Tararua rangesfine

    The ranges block the prevailing westerlies, so it is warmer and drier than Wellington. Summer (Dec–Mar) is the reliable window; winter is cool and can bring frost.

  • Auckland18 °C (64 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days
  • Akaroa16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 8 rain days
  • Alexandra18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 7 rain days
  • Arrowtown17 °C (63 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days
  • Blenheim18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days
  • Bluff15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 15 rain days
  • Browns Bay18 °C (64 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days
  • Cambridge18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Carterton18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 7 rain days
  • Charleston16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 15 rain days
  • Christchurch17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 8 rain days
  • Collingwood17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Coromandel19 °C (66 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Cromwell17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days
  • Dannevirke17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Dargaville19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Devonport18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 12 rain days
  • Dunedin15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 7 rain days
  • Elsthorpe18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Fairlie16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days
  • Feilding18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Flaxmere19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days
  • Fox Glacier16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 17 rain days
  • Franz Josef16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 18 rain days
  • Gisborne19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Glenorchy17 °C (63 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 9 rain days
  • Gore16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 12 rain days
  • Granity16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 16 rain days
  • Greymouth16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 17 rain days
  • Haast15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 17 rain days
  • Hahei18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 12 rain days
  • Hamilton18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Hanmer Springs17 °C (63 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days
  • Hastings20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Havelock17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days
  • Havelock North19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 7 rain days
  • Hawera17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days
  • Helensville19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days
  • Hokitika16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 16 rain days
  • Horeke19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days
  • Invercargill14 °C (57 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 16 rain days
  • Kaiapoi16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days
  • Kaikoura16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 8 rain days
  • Kaitaia19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days
  • Karamea16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 14 rain days
  • Kerikeri19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days
  • Kingston16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 10 rain days
  • Kohukohu19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 11 rain days
  • Koutu19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 11 rain days
  • Kūaotunu18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 11 rain days
  • Lake Tekapo15 °C (59 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 9 rain days
  • Leigh18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days
  • Levin16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Long Bay20 °C (68 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 10 rain days
  • Lyttelton17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 8 rain days
  • Manapouri16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 15 rain days
  • Mangamuka Bridge18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days
  • Mapua17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Martinborough18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Masterton18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 11 rain days
  • Matamata18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 7 rain days
  • Mataura15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 13 rain days
  • Matawai18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days
  • Methven17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 8 rain days
  • Milford Sound15 °C (59 °F) / 5.8 °C (42 °F), 19 rain days
  • Milton14 °C (57 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 11 rain days
  • Morere18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Mossburn16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 14 rain days
  • Motueka18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Murchison16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 11 rain days
  • Muriwai18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days
  • Napier19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • National Park Village18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days
  • Nelson18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days
  • New Plymouth17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days
  • Oamaru16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days
  • Ohakune15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 12 rain days
  • Omarama17 °C (63 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 9 rain days
  • Onekaka18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days
  • Opononi19 °C (66 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Opotiki19 °C (66 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 9 rain days
  • Otaki16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Paekākāriki18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days
  • Paihia18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days
  • Palmerston North18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 13 rain days
  • Paraparaumu17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days
  • Pauanui18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 10 rain days
  • Picton17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Piha18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 12 rain days
  • Pirongia19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Pleasant Point17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days
  • Port Chalmers15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 10 rain days
  • Puhoi19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days
  • Punakaiki16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 16 rain days
  • Queenstown17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days
  • Raetihi16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 13 rain days
  • Raglan18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 13 rain days
  • Rai Valley17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days
  • Ranfurly17 °C (63 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 6 rain days
  • Rangiora17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 7 rain days
  • Rawene18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days
  • Reefton16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 15 rain days
  • Renwick18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days
  • Ross15 °C (59 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 16 rain days
  • Rotorua17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 11 rain days
  • Russell19 °C (66 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days
  • Seddon17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Shannon18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Springfield17 °C (63 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 10 rain days
  • St Arnaud16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 11 rain days
  • Stratford16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Taipa-Mangonui18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days
  • Tairua18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 11 rain days
  • Takaka17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Takapuna18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 12 rain days
  • Taradale18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Taumarunui18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days
  • Taupō16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 11 rain days
  • Tauranga18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 10 rain days
  • Te Awamutu19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days
  • Te Kuiti18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 13 rain days
  • Te Puke18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days
  • Thames18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 12 rain days
  • Timaru17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days
  • Torbay18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 12 rain days
  • Turangi16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 12 rain days
  • Twizel17 °C (63 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 9 rain days
  • Waihi Beach18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 11 rain days
  • Waikanae19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days
  • Waipara18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days
  • Waipukurau18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days
  • Wairoa18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days
  • Waitomo18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days
  • Wakefield17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Wanaka17 °C (63 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days
  • Ward17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Warkworth18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days
  • Wellington16 °C (61 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 12 rain days
  • Wellsford18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 11 rain days
  • Westport16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 15 rain days
  • Whakatane19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 10 rain days
  • Whangamata18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 11 rain days
  • Whanganui17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 11 rain days
  • Whangarei19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 12 rain days
  • Whangaroa18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days
  • Whataroa15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 8 rain days
  • Whitianga18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 12 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Labour Day

    Fourth Monday of October

    Long weekend; first busy weekend of spring on the roads.

  • School holidays

    Apr, Jul, late Sep–Oct, mid-Dec – late Jan

    Family travel fills campervans, ski fields (July) and ferries.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · New Zealand
Medium
Prices · New Zealand
Medium

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in New Zealand, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Oct: Good

    Jan: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Oct: Medium

    Jan: High

  • Prices

    Oct: Medium

    Jan: High

  • Festivals listed

    Oct: 2

    Jan: 5

October: Spring warms up; waterfalls full; Great Walk season starts late in the month (check dates).

January: Peak summer and local holidays: long days, warm lakes; book cars, ferries and huts well ahead.

New Zealand: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in October

Rated best or good this month

  • Auckland

    Mild, fresh; good walking.

  • Dannevirke

    Best months: Oct–Apr

  • Glenorchy

    Best months: Dec–Feb (summer), Oct–Nov (shoulder) for hiking; ski‑field trips in July–August via helicopter.

  • Havelock North

    Best months: Oct–Apr

  • Kaiapoi

    Best months: Oct–Apr

  • Levin

    Best months: Oct–Apr

  • Long Bay

    Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov

  • Mangamuka Bridge

    Best months: Oct–Apr

  • Masterton

    Best months: Mar–Apr and Oct–Nov

  • Methven

    Best months: Jun–Oct for skiing, Dec–Feb for summer activities

  • Morere

    Best months: Oct–Apr

  • Muriwai

    Best months: Nov–Mar for beach weather; Jul–Oct for the gannets returning