The short answer
- Month
- July
- Verdict
- Good
- Season
- Mid winter
- North Island
- Mild, about 15°C
- South Island
- Cold and often clear
- Crowds
- Busy in ski towns, quiet elsewhere
July is the heart of winter. Ski towns are lively and busy, especially over the New Zealand and Australian school holidays, while the rest of the country is quiet.
New Zealand in July at a glance
The map opens on July; tap another month to compare.
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July
Mid winter: skiing, snowy peaks and the best chance of the southern lights. Many alpine walks are not for beginners.
- Rotorua and Taupo (mixed)geysers, Hobbiton, Waitomo
- West Coast (mixed)Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, wet all year
- Mount Cook and Tekapo (mixed)clear skies, cold winter nights
- Queenstown and Wanaka (mixed)great in summer, skiing in winter
- Northland (wet or difficult)Bay of Islands, beaches
- Tongariro (wet or difficult)the Alpine Crossing, hikers' conditions
- Abel Tasman (wet or difficult)beaches and coastal walking
- Fiordland (wet or difficult)Milford Sound, Great Walks season October to April
July across the year
How July compares with the rest of the year. The ringed column is July.
Swipe sideways to see all 12 months →
| Region | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Island touringRotorua, Waitomo, Hobbiton | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Best | Best | Best |
| Tongariro Crossingfor hikers without alpine skills | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best |
| Great Walksfull hut service late October to April | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Mixed | Best | Best |
| Queenstown and Mount Cooktouring and day walks | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Best | Best | Best |
| Fiordland and Milfordwet all year, best in summer | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Mixed | Best | Best |
| SkiingQueenstown, Wanaka, Ruapehu | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult |
Where to go in July
- Ski fields: Coronet Peak, the Remarkables, Cardrona, Treble Cone and Mount Ruapehu.
- Hanmer Springs: Thermal pools in a snowy alpine village.
- Kaikoura: Whales all year, with snowy mountains behind.
What to avoid in July
- The Great Walks and alpine passes without winter experience.
Events and holidays in July
- School holidays: Usually early to mid July in New Zealand, busy at ski fields.
- Matariki: Sometimes falls in July; the date changes each year.
Weather in July
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with July highlighted.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | AucklandBay of Islands and Rotorua are similar | ChristchurchCanterbury plains, Lake Tekapo is colder | QueenstownWanaka is similar | Milford Soundone of the wettest places on Earth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24° / 16°75 mm | 23° / 12°45 mm | 22° / 10°75 mm | 19° / 10°720 mm |
| Feb | 25° / 17°65 mm | 22° / 12°45 mm | 22° / 10°60 mm | 19° / 10°500 mm |
| Mar | 23° / 15°90 mm | 20° / 10°50 mm | 19° / 8°65 mm | 18° / 9°580 mm |
| Apr | 21° / 13°100 mm | 17° / 7°50 mm | 15° / 5°65 mm | 15° / 7°520 mm |
| May | 18° / 11°115 mm | 14° / 4°65 mm | 11° / 2°75 mm | 12° / 4°560 mm |
| Jun | 16° / 9°130 mm | 11° / 2°60 mm | 8° / 0°65 mm | 10° / 2°480 mm |
| Jul | 15° / 8°140 mm | 11° / 1°65 mm | 7° / -1°60 mm | 9° / 1°420 mm |
| Aug | 16° / 8°120 mm | 12° / 2°60 mm | 9° / 0°60 mm | 10° / 2°450 mm |
| Sep | 17° / 10°100 mm | 15° / 4°45 mm | 12° / 2°60 mm | 12° / 4°520 mm |
| Oct | 19° / 11°90 mm | 17° / 6°45 mm | 15° / 4°75 mm | 14° / 5°600 mm |
| Nov | 20° / 13°80 mm | 19° / 8°50 mm | 18° / 6°70 mm | 16° / 7°560 mm |
| Dec | 22° / 15°90 mm | 21° / 11°55 mm | 20° / 8°85 mm | 18° / 9°650 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
A 7 day trip for July
Our suggestion for July: Queenstown and Wanaka for skiing, with a day at Milford Sound if the road is open. Every trip can be made private, or try your own route in our New Zealand trip planner.
Tip: Book ski holiday accommodation in Queenstown and Wanaka months ahead for the July school holidays.
Want a July trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 7 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about June or August? See New Zealand in June and New Zealand in August, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit New Zealand.
Rather have a trip to New Zealand made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
What is New Zealand like in July?
Cold and often clear in the south, with peak skiing; mild and wetter in the north.
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