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 / 11 °C, 8 rain days75 °F / 52 °F, 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 / 11 °C, 7 rain days75 °F / 52 °F, 7 rain daysCrowds: High
- MarchGreatInside Wanaka's best window: Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing.21 °C / 9 °C, 8 rain days70 °F / 48 °F, 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 / 6 °C, 8 rain days63 °F / 43 °F, 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 / 3 °C, 9 rain days55 °F / 37 °F, 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 / 1 °C, 9 rain days50 °F / 34 °F, 9 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JulyGreatInside Wanaka's best window: Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing.9 °C / 0 °C, 9 rain days48 °F / 32 °F, 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- AugustGreatInside Wanaka's best window: Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing.11 °C / 1 °C, 9 rain days52 °F / 34 °F, 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 / 3 °C, 8 rain days57 °F / 37 °F, 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 / 5 °C, 9 rain days63 °F / 41 °F, 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 / 8 °C, 8 rain days68 °F / 46 °F, 8 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- DecemberGreatInside Wanaka's best window: Dec–Mar for lake and hiking; Jul–Aug for skiing.23 °C / 10 °C, 9 rain days73 °F / 50 °F, 9 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday