When to go · Queenstown
Queenstown in May
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Dec–Apr for hiking and lake days; Jul–Aug for skiing; Mar–Apr and Oct–Nov for fewer crowds). 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) / 4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 9
- Crowds
- Low
- New Zealand overall
- Prices
- Low
- New Zealand overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Dec–Apr for hiking and lake days; Jul–Aug for skiing; Mar–Apr and Oct–Nov for fewer crowds). 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:
- JulyGreatInside Queenstown's best window: Dec–Apr for hiking and lake days; Jul–Aug for skiing; Mar–Apr and Oct–Nov for fewer crowds.
- AugustGreatInside Queenstown's best window: Dec–Apr for hiking and lake days; Jul–Aug for skiing; Mar–Apr and Oct–Nov for fewer crowds.
- OctoberGreatInside Queenstown's best window: Dec–Apr for hiking and lake days; Jul–Aug for skiing; Mar–Apr and Oct–Nov for fewer crowds.
- NovemberGreatInside Queenstown's best window: Dec–Apr for hiking and lake days; Jul–Aug for skiing; Mar–Apr and Oct–Nov for fewer crowds.
Weather in May
- QueenstownHighs around 13 °C (55 °F), lows around 4 °C (39 °F), rain on about 9 daysHighs around 55 °F (13 °C), lows around 39 °F (4 °C), rain on about 9 days
- Southern Alps and lakes, New Zealand · Queenstown, Wānaka, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Tekapocool
Hot dry summers, clear cold winters with ski fields Jun–Sep; chains needed on passes; autumn colour in April.
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 Queenstown, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 13 °C (55 °F)55 °F (13 °C)
Jan: 23 °C (73 °F)73 °F (23 °C)
Night low
May: 4 °C (39 °F)39 °F (4 °C)
Jan: 11 °C (52 °F)52 °F (11 °C)
Rain days
May: 9
Jan: 8 (better)
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: High
Prices
May: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 1
May: Outside the best window (Dec–Apr for hiking and lake days; Jul–Aug for skiing; Mar–Apr and Oct–Nov for fewer crowds). Across New Zealand: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.
January: Inside Queenstown's best window: Dec–Apr for hiking and lake days; Jul–Aug for skiing; Mar–Apr and Oct–Nov for fewer crowds.
Queenstown: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket