Weather in Queenstown in December
December in Queenstown is cool outdoor weather: usable if you dress for it, not a beach brief.
In New Zealand, this is how Queenstown actually wears December, not how a country centroid would. December is high summer in the southern year. Do not pack Queenstown as if it were a northern winter. Compared with January and July, December sits in the middle of Queenstown's year.
- Average temp
- 15°C
8–21°C
- Rainfall
- 66 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- —
What to expect
Daytime
Cool days in Queenstown: a jumper you can take off, a shell in the bag. Walking is fine. Lingering outside without a layer is optimism.
Mornings and evenings are colder than the postcard. Pack for both, especially if you leave the built-up centre.
Rain
December is a wetter month in Queenstown. Showers are part of the deal, not a spoiled surprise.
Waterproof shoes matter more than a rain plan for a beach, especially if a beach is not why you came. Build indoor hours into the afternoon.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What to pack
Rain jacket
A layer for cooler evenings
Where to stay in Queenstown
Dates are a starting point for December.
Travel guides for Queenstown
What to read before you book.
Average weather in Queenstown
TemperatureRainfall
Similar weather in December
Other destinations whose December averages sit close to this one.
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FAQs about Queenstown
Climate averages for Queenstown, 1991–2020.
The best time to visit Queenstown is between November and April, the most comfortable stretch of the year on these averages.
January is the hottest month, with an average around 16°C.
December is the wettest month, with about 66 mm of rain.
No. These are 1991–2020 climate normals from Meteostat, not a live forecast. Actual weather in any given week can differ.
