New Zealand in October

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

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

  Subtropical-mild: humid summers around 24 °C, wet but rarely cold winters (14 °C 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).

• Auckland18° / 12°, 12 rain days

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 · New Zealand

Medium

Prices · New Zealand

Medium

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Auckland

  Mild, fresh; good walking.