Queenstown in April: Weather, What to Do, and What to Pack
April is one of my all-time favourite months in Queenstown, and I say this as someone who lives here year-round.
Crisp days, colourful autumn leaves, and fewer crowds make April an ideal time to visit Queenstown. The cooler weather is usually perfect for hiking and biking, enjoying cosy cafes, and going on scenic drives.
In this guide, I’m sharing what Queenstown is really like in April, including the best things to do, events to be aware of, what the weather is like, and what to pack.
What is Queenstown like in April?
April is mid-autumn in New Zealand.
In Queenstown, this means that the weather is starting to cool but winter hasn’t yet arrived. The peak summer crowds have mostly dissipated, so the atmosphere feels quieter but still lively.
April is an ideal month for getting outdoors in Queenstown, since most hiking trails are snow-free and the weather isn’t too hot.
Queenstown and the wider Central Otago region come alive with autumn colours in April, with nearby Arrowtown being a hotspot for autumn leaf-peeping.
It’s the perfect time to go on scenic drives from Queenstown, with vibrant red and golden colours punctuating the landscape.
Accommodation, car rentals, and campervan rentals are generally easier to secure in April than in summer. The exception to this is school holidays and Easter, when accommodation and vehicle rentals should be booked well in advance.
Weather in Queenstown in April
Daytime temperatures usually sit somewhere between 15–16°C, while mornings and evenings can feel much cooler—often closer to 4–8°C, especially later in the month.
You can expect April in Queenstown to feel like this:
- Crisp, chilly mornings
- Mild, comfortable afternoons
- Cold evenings once the sun drops behind the mountains
- The occasional rainy day
Snow is unlikely in town in April, but you might see a dusting of snow on the tops of the mountains towards the end of the month (a little preview of winter in Queenstown).
April’s cooler but mostly mild temperatures are great for activities like hiking, biking, wine tasting, and going on scenic drives, as long as you pack layers.
Things to do in Queenstown in April
Enjoy the Queenstown Gardens
I’ll admit that this is an activity I’d recommend year-round, but in April, a walk through the Queenstown Gardens is particularly delightful.
The gardens are completely free to visit and are located just a short walk from town. To get there, follow the lakefront path, which circles the gardens and offers excellent views over the Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu.
In April in the Queenstown Gardens, there are usually some blooms still holding on to their branches, and the deciduous trees will be a kaleidoscope of autumn hues. It’s a tranquil place to go for a stroll, and you’ll probably emerge with lots of foliage photos on your camera.
Visit Arrowtown
Arrowtown is worth visiting any time of year, but it really comes alive in autumn.
This historic gold-mining town is just a 20-minute drive from Queenstown, and feels like something out of a Hallmark movie. In April, the hills surrounding Arrowtown burst into autumn shades of red and gold, providing a picturesque backdrop to the already-charming town.
It’s a lovely place to explore on foot. Stroll along Buckingham Street, walk along the Arrow River, or head higher into the hills on the Sawpit Gully Track.
There are also some great cafes in Arrowtown, including Provisions Cafe and the Dishery, where you can sit outside under the sun and soak up the autumn views. Or if you visit later in the day, head to the Fork and Tap or Slow Cuts for a great meal and pint.
Day trip to Glenorchy
The 45-minute drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is one of the most scenic roads in all of New Zealand, and autumn is a great time for it.
This road is lined with scenic viewpoints and detours to hiking trails, so I recommend allocating at least half a day for the drive if you can (although I usually make a whole day out of it!).
Along the drive, you can visit Bob’s Cove for a nice easy walk, or detour to Moke Lake for a beautiful loop walk around the lake.
Once you reach Glenorchy, head into Mrs Woolly’s General Store for a coffee and treat before checking out the historic Glenorchy Boat Shed and walking the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway, which has beautiful autumn foliage.
Go hiking
April is an excellent month for hiking in Queenstown.
Unless there’s an unusual weather event, pretty much all of Queenstown’s hiking trails will be open in April. The cooler weather means you won’t overheat on the trails, and there are fewer crowds than in summer in Queenstown.
There are some great hiking trails in Queenstown, and around Arrowtown and Glenorchy.
If you’re up for a challenge, you can tackle the Ben Lomond Track, which starts from the top of the Skyline Gondola (or the Tiki Trail, which I don’t recommend). Queenstown Hill is another popular hike that starts right in town and climbs up to a great viewpoint.
For something more mellow, there are lots of easy hikes around Queenstown. The Kelvin Peninsula Trail is lovely, as is the Moke Lake Loop Track. For a moderate hike, try the Mt Crichton Loop Track.
Around Arrowtown, you’ll find some lovely trails, including Sawpit Gully and the Lake Hayes Walkway.
Past Glenorchy are two of my all-time favourite trails: the Lake Sylvan Track, and the Routeburn Track (which you can do a day hike on to either Routeburn Flats or Routeburn Falls).
One more great option is the Bannockburn Sluicings walk, which is stunning in April with the surrounding vineyards in shades of gold and orange.
Go wine tasting
Queenstown is close to two beautiful wine regions, Gibbston Valley and Bannockburn, and there’s no better time to go wine tasting than in autumn.
In April, the vines will be shades of gold, orange, and red, and it’s so lovely to sit outside at a vineyard with a glass of wine while enjoying the scenery.
In Gibbston Valley, I recommend visiting Mora and Kinross for a wine tasting or platter and glass of wine. And in Bannockburn, Carrick Winery and Mt Difficulty are both wonderful.
While you can easily visit a winery with your own wheels, it’s best to let someone else do the driving if you plan to sample a few.
I recommend the Hop On, Hop Off wine bus for an easy way to get around the wineries.
Try Queenstown’s craft beer
Queenstown is home to several excellent breweries and some great craft beer bars. And April is fresh hop beer season, which means you can try some local, seasonal beers that are only available for a short period of time after the autumn hop harvest.
For local craft breweries, head to Altitude Brewing, Searchlight, or Canyon Brewing. And for craft beer bars (with beers from all over New Zealand), there are three great options in town: Atlas, Beechtree, and Smiths. All of these spots have good, hearty food available, too.
Visit Wanaka
Wanaka is a charming lakeside town located around 70 km from Queenstown. If you have extra time in your itinerary, I recommend spending a night or two in Wanaka. But it also makes for a great day trip from Queenstown.
To get from Queenstown to Wanaka, you can drive via the Crown Range Road or the Kawarau Gorge. Both are very scenic, especially in April when the autumn colours will keep you company along your drive.
You could even consider making a driving loop by driving to Wanaka via the Kawarau Gorge, spending the day in Wanaka, then returning to Queenstown via the Crown Range (or doing this in reverse).
There are so many things to do in Wanaka. If you’re a hiker, there are fantastic hiking trails around Wanaka—my favourite is the Rob Roy Glacier Track.
For a mellow stroll in town, walk along the waterfront to see the famous Wanaka Tree and then continue on to Waterfall Creek before turning around; the autumn foliage along this path is gorgeous.
If all of that driving and walking makes you hungry, pop into one of Wanaka’s excellent eateries. Scroggin is a great cafe, and the Big Fig makes fantastic Mediterranean-inspired mix-and-match plates of slow cooked meats, vegetables, and salads.
Another great dining option is the Brownston Street Food Trucks. I pretty much can’t go to Wanaka without getting chips, salsa and a burrito from the Burrito Craft food truck—it is so good.
Go on a scenic bike ride
The Queenstown area is laced with a network of scenic biking trails, and I’d argue that autumn is the best time of year to enjoy them.
One of the best bike rides in April is the Arrow Bridges River Trail to Gibbston Valley.
Starting in Arrowtown, you’ll cycle along the Arrow River, with suspension bridges and autumn foliage adding to an exciting but relaxed ride. You’ll then reach the Kawarau Gorge before continuing on to the Gibbston Valley wine region.
You can hire bikes in Arrowtown from Better by Bike, or in Queenstown from Around the Basin. I recommend going with the electric bike option to make things even easier. Both companies also offer shuttle services to help with one-way rides or pickups/dropoffs from your accommodation.
Cruise on the TSS Earnslaw
The TSS Earnslaw is a historic steamship and one of Queenstown’s most iconic attractions.
You can opt for a short cruise on the lake, or a longer day out that includes a BBQ lunch or dinner at Walter Peak Station.
If you have it in your budget to do so, I highly recommend going for the BBQ lunch option. It includes an excellent buffet lunch made with fresh, seasonal produce and a sheep-shearing demonstration that’s a lot of fun to see.
For me, a highlight is being able to wander around the gardens, which look gorgeous in autumn with lingering blooms and golden foliage surrounding the property.
Enjoy the cafes
There are lots of good cafes in Queenstown, and autumn is such a lovely time to enjoy them.
Linger over a hot coffee and breakfast at a cosy cafe before heading out on your adventures around town—is there any better way to spend an autumn day?!
The Boatshed is one of my top spots for brunch. Located in the Queenstown Marina, it’s set in a historic building with gorgeous lake views, and the food is great. After your meal, you can go for a stroll along the Frankton Arm, with willows dipping into Lake Wakatipu in autumn shades.
In the town centre, I also love Odd Saint, Bespoke Kitchen, Vudu, and Yonder for coffee and food. And in Arrowtown, you can’t go wrong with Provisions, the Dishery, or Mora Wines and Artisan Kitchen.
All of these spots have both indoor and outdoor seating and are great spots to fuel up before a day in Queenstown.
Holidays & events in Queenstown in April
- Easter: While it varies from year to year, Easter often falls in April in New Zealand. Easter weekend in New Zealand includes Good Friday and Easter Monday, making it a 4-day weekend for many kiwis. It can be a busy weekend around Queenstown, and you might encounter surcharges at cafes and restaurants.
- ANZAC Day: ANZAC Day falls on 25 April, and is a day to remember and honour all New Zealanders and Australians who have served their countries in wars. There are ANZAC Day services held across the wider Queenstown area, usually in the morning.
- School holidays: Autumn school holidays fall in April in New Zealand, with dates varying depending on the year. If you plan to visit Queenstown during school holidays, it’s wise to get your accommodation and vehicle rentals booked in advance.
- Arrowtown Autumn Festival: Held in late April, the Arrowtown Autumn Festival is a family-friendly event with food and entertainment. Most of the festival events are free to attend and it’s a fun way to get into the autumn spirit.
- Warbirds over Wanaka: This biennial airshow is held in Wanaka over Easter weekend. It’s a popular event and accommodation in the wider area often gets booked out, so plan ahead if you’re visiting when this event is on.
- Daylight saving: In New Zealand, daylight saving ends on the first Sunday in April. While this isn’t a Queenstown-specific event, I think it’s worth noting if you’re planning to visit Queenstown in April, because the daylight hours will start getting shorter once it switches over.
What to wear in April in Queenstown
Since temperatures can vary wildly throughout the day, it’s important to pack layers.
You might experience chilly mornings and evenings, and sunny, warm days. It’s not unusual to experience all four seasons in one day.
Queenstown is quite a casual place, so you don’t need a lot of fancy clothing unless you want to get dressed up for a nice dinner out (even then, heels are unnecessary). I’ll usually go out to dinner in a nice sweater, jeans, and boots and never feel out of place.
Here’s what I’d pack for your April visit.
- T-shirts (long and short sleeve)
- A warm jumper/sweater
- A midlayer like a fleece (something you can layer over a t-shirt and under a jacket)
- Pants, including a pair to hike or bike in
- Sun hat for hiking
- Beanie & gloves for cold mornings and evenings
- Raincoat
- Puffer jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hiking boots
- Swimsuit and sandals if you plan to visit any hot pools
If you forget anything, don’t worry. Queenstown has plenty of good shops so you can always pick up an extra layer.
Queenstown in April FAQs
Is April a good time to visit Queenstown?
Yes, April is a great time to visit Queenstown for mild weather, fewer crowds, and opportunities for hiking, biking, and autumn leaf-peeping.
Will it be snowing in Queenstown in April?
No, it doesn’t usually snow in town in April in Queenstown.
However, there may be a dusting of snow on the mountaintops, particularly towards the end of the month.
Is April peak season in New Zealand?
April is shoulder season in New Zealand, with fewer crowds than peak summer.
Thanks for reading my guide to Queenstown in April!
I truly hope this has helped you plan your visit to Queenstown in April.
If you have any questions or feedback for me, please let me know in the comments—I always love hearing from you!
Some Queenstown itineraries for you
Many of the itineraries on my site include Queenstown – here are a few of my favourite routes!
