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Lupin season at Tekapo: Lupins usually flower from mid-November into December. Ask us to fit Tekapo into your trip.Ask about it
A red alpine hut in fresh snow under a bright blue sky
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Winter

Snow on the mountains for skiing, hot pools to warm up in, and clear, cold nights for the stars.

  • Aurora Australis glowing red and green above the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo
  • Mist over the orange-rimmed Champagne Pool at Wai-O-Tapu under a bright sky
  • Mitre Peak rising through cloud above Milford Sound
  • The snowy Remarkables ridgeline against a deep blue sky
  • Aoraki/Mount Cook's snowy valley under a blue sky with big clouds
  • A glacier flowing between steep valley walls below snowy peaks
  • Upturned boats on snow beside a lake with snowy ranges behind
  • The Milky Way over the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo

North Island

  • Steam and hot pools in Rotorua
  • Skiing on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu
  • Matariki, the Māori New Year, a public holiday in June or July
  • The glowworm caves at Waitomo

South Island

  • Skiing at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Cardrona, near Queenstown and Wanaka
  • Starry skies over Lake Tekapo, and sometimes the aurora australis
  • Hot pools at Tekapo and Hanmer Springs
  • Milford Sound under snow-capped peaks

What to wear

Warm layers: thermal underwear, a wool or fleece top and a warm, waterproof jacket. A hat, gloves and a scarf, and waterproof shoes with a good grip.

Ski clothing and equipment can be hired at the ski areas.

Good to know

  • Mountain roads can have snow and ice, and some need snow chains. Leave extra time for the drives.
  • Days are short: in Queenstown the sun sets around 5 pm in June.
  • Ski areas usually open in June and close in early October, depending on the snow.

Experiences for this time of year

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Emma Song
Emma Song
Director and Licensed Immigration Adviser
Tina Liu
Tina Liu
COO and education consultant

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