New Zealand Travel Blog

Discover the unparalleled beauty of New Zealand's South Island on a self-drive vacation. From the towering peaks of the Southern Alps to the crystal-clear waters of Milford Sound, this itinerary will take you to the heart of the country's most iconic sights. Experience the charm of quaint towns and the thrill of outdoor adventures, all while surrounded by some of the world's most spectacular landscapes.

Every trip through New Zealand is a real voyage of discovery and this part of the country is often called the jewel in the crown. Expect high rugged mountains, charging jet boats through deep river gorges, vineyards with wines to put a tilt in yer kilt, people leaping off things, first class shopping, ohistoric buildings with stories seeping from their rock coatings, world class golfing and skiing opportunities and locals as vibrant and busy as you’ll find anywhere. Destination is Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. Hold onto your frillies and get set for the ride of your life.

We're heading south from Omarama on State Highway 8 towards Queenstown. While it's not a huge haul at 170kms distance, it's a journey through time. The long straight road out of town heads towards rolling hills beyond a flat barren landscape. This is the very southern end of the vast Mackenzie country before entering the twists and turns of the Lindis Pass and its distinctive geology.

The weather is beautiful around the North Island of New Zealand throughout February, the height of “true summer” in New Zealand. For many kiwis, February is the best time of year, with peak temperatures, beautiful long evenings, relatively low rainfall, and smaller holiday crowds than in December and January.

For specifics on what to expect in terms of temperature, rainfall, sunshine, and anything else to do with the weather in New Zealand’s North Island during February, read on to help you plan your own perfect North Island itinerary.

As a classic “shoulder season” in New Zealand, April is, typically, mild across the entire North Island, with the arrival of autumn bringing cooler periods than in the previous few months, and a bit more cloud and scattered rainfall.

The end of May marks the end of autumn in New Zealand, and the weather across the North Island throughout May moves vaguely in this direction, with temperatures getting cold and daylight hours short.

July is peak winter in New Zealand, and with that come the coldest average temperatures of any month in the year. It is also usually the wettest, or one of the wettest, months of the year in many parts of the North Island, and average sunshine hours are relatively low compared with other times of the year.

The long, cold nights and dark skies also make for great stargazing, for warming up in a natural thermal hot pool, or cosying up in front of the fire at a quaint holiday cabin or luxury lodge.

September marks the transition from winter into spring in New Zealand, and this is clearly felt through changes in weather across the North Island. In the subtropical northern regions, the tail-end of the rainy season is still felt earlier in the month, as is peak ski season in the central plateau and subalpine regions.