The short answer
- Month
- November
- Verdict
- Very good
- Season
- Late spring
- North Island
- Warm, about 21°C
- South Island
- Warming, long days
- Crowds
- Moderate
November is one of the best value months: summer is close, days are long and the crowds haven't arrived. Lupins start to flower in the Mackenzie Basin.
New Zealand in November at a glance
The map opens on November; tap another month to compare.
Choose your month
November
Late spring: long days, waterfalls full of snowmelt and lupins starting around Lake Tekapo.
- Northland (best)Bay of Islands, beaches
- Rotorua and Taupo (best)geysers, Hobbiton, Waitomo
- Tongariro (best)the Alpine Crossing, hikers' conditions
- Abel Tasman (best)beaches and coastal walking
- West Coast (best)Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, wet all year
- Mount Cook and Tekapo (best)clear skies, cold winter nights
- Queenstown and Wanaka (best)great in summer, skiing in winter
- Fiordland (best)Milford Sound, Great Walks season October to April
November across the year
How November compares with the rest of the year. The ringed column is November.
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 November
- Lake Tekapo: Lupins usually from mid November.
- Great Walks: Huts fully serviced and fewer walkers than in summer.
- Abel Tasman: Warming weather for kayaking.
What to avoid in November
- Expecting warm sea water: it's still cool for swimming.
Events and holidays in November
- Show weeks: Canterbury's A&P show week, usually in November.
Weather in November
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with November 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 14 day trip for November
Our suggestion for November: both islands: Auckland, Rotorua, Tongariro, Wellington, Kaikoura, Tekapo for the lupins and Queenstown. Every trip can be made private, or try your own route in our New Zealand trip planner.
Tip: Book lupin season accommodation in Tekapo early; it's a popular photography time.
Want a November trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 14 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about October or December? See New Zealand in October and New Zealand in December, 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
Is November a good time to visit New Zealand?
Very good: long days, spring flowers, Great Walks open and fewer visitors than summer.
Sources we checked
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