Weather in Queenstown in January
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Book now, pay at pickup — compare Hertz, Avis, Budget, Sixt and 800+ rental companies for January in Queenstown.
Compare car hire prices → Affiliate link — we earn a commission at no extra cost to youIn January, Queenstown sees average highs of 21.5°C (70.7°F) and lows of 12.5°C. Conditions are pleasantly mild and fairly wet (9 rainy days on average), with roughly 11.8 hours of sunshine a day. Weather-wise, this is one of the most reliable months to travel. For the complete picture, see the best time to visit Queenstown — every month compared. Once you know when to go, find your Queenstown packing list at 247PackingList.
Get ready for Queenstown in January
Search flights to Queenstown
Compare 100+ airlines for January — one search, best price.
Search Flights →Travel clothing layers
Pack layers — temperatures can vary significantly between day and night.
Check Price →What to pack for Queenstown in January
- Light layers
- Sunscreen
- T-shirts and light trousers or shorts
- Light waterproof layer
Compare all months in Queenstown
| Month | High | Rain | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21.5°C | 85.5mm | 10/10 |
| February | 21.2°C | 121.9mm | 9/10 |
| March | 18.6°C | 85.5mm | 10/10 |
| April | 15.3°C | 94.5mm | 10/10 |
| May | 12.2°C | 117.5mm | 9/10 |
| June | 7.6°C | 114.5mm | 9/10 |
| July | 6.6°C | 131.0mm | 9/10 |
| August | 8.7°C | 118.8mm | 9/10 |
| September | 11.4°C | 202.3mm | 8/10 |
| October | 14.3°C | 131.5mm | 9/10 |
| November | 17.5°C | 94.9mm | 10/10 |
| December | 19.5°C | 114.3mm | 9/10 |
Full month-by-month guide: best time to visit Queenstown →
For facts about New Zealand — currency, language and dialling code — see our New Zealand country guide at 247CountryInfo. Travellers also find it useful to keep a Queenstown travel guide to hand. Check clothing sizes in New Zealand before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Queenstown?
January rates 10/10 for visiting Queenstown — excellent time to visit. Expect average highs of 21.5°C, 85.5mm of rain across the month and about 11.8 hours of daily sunshine.
What is the temperature in Queenstown in January?
In January, Queenstown has average highs of 21.5°C (70.7°F) and average lows of 12.5°C (54.5°F).
Does it rain in Queenstown in January?
Some rain is likely. Queenstown averages 85.5mm across about 9 rainy days in January, so a light waterproof layer is worth packing.
What should I wear in Queenstown in January?
For Queenstown in January (21.5°C highs / 12.5°C lows), pack light layers plus sunscreen, t-shirts and light trousers or shorts, light waterproof layer.
More essentials for Queenstown in January
Packing cubes
Keep the bag organised whatever the weather — compression cubes for every size.
Check Price →Travel first aid kit
Compact TSA-friendly kit for peace of mind wherever you travel.
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Climate data sourced from Open-Meteo (open source, open data licence). Monthly averages calculated from 2020–2023 historical data. Weather can be unpredictable — always check a live forecast before travelling.