When to go · Wanaka
Wanaka, month by month
The best months for Wanaka: Jan, Feb, Mar, Jul, Aug, Dec.
Month by month
- JanuaryGreatInside Wanaka's best window: Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing.24 °C (75 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryGreatInside Wanaka's best window: Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing.24 °C (75 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 7 rain daysCrowds: High
- MarchGreatInside Wanaka's best window: Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing.21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilGoodOutside the best window (Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing). Across New Zealand: Autumn colour in Central Otago and Arrowtown; cooler nights, Easter and school holidays busy.17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 8 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- MayMixedOutside the best window (Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing). Across New Zealand: Cool and short days; Great Walk huts leave peak season, services thin; good value in the north.13 °C (55 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 9 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JuneMixedOutside the best window (Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing). Across New Zealand: Winter: snow on passes, chains needed; ski season opens mid-month; about 9 hours of daylight in the south.10 °C (50 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JulyGreatInside Wanaka's best window: Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing.9 °C (48 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- AugustGreatInside Wanaka's best window: Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing.11 °C (52 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- SeptemberMixedOutside the best window (Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing). Across New Zealand: Spring: lambs and blossom, but changeable weather and late snow; daylight saving starts late in the month.14 °C (57 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 8 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: Low
- OctoberGoodOutside the best window (Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing). Across New Zealand: Spring warms up; waterfalls full; Great Walk season starts late in the month (check dates).17 °C (63 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberGoodOutside the best window (Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing). Across New Zealand: Long days before the rush; the best value month for a summer-type trip.20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- DecemberGreatInside Wanaka's best window: Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing.23 °C (73 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Wanaka, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Great
Feb: Great
Daytime high
Jan: 24 °C (75 °F)75 °F (24 °C)
Feb: 24 °C (75 °F)75 °F (24 °C)
Night low
Jan: 11 °C (52 °F)52 °F (11 °C)
Feb: 11 °C (52 °F)52 °F (11 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 8
Feb: 7 (better)
Crowds
Jan: High
Feb: High
Prices
Jan: High
Feb: High
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
Feb: 0
January: Inside Wanaka's best window: Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing.
February: Inside Wanaka's best window: Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing.
Wanaka: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.