Queenstown in July: Weather, What to Do, & What to Pack
July is peak winter season in Queenstown.
The mountains are usually covered in snow, the ski fields are in full swing, and the whole town feels properly wintry. Think snowy mountaintops, puffer jackets everywhere, steaming coffees, and people walking around town carrying skis at 8am.
As a Queenstown local, I can also say that July is one of the busiest times of year to visit. Winter in Queenstown can be incredibly beautiful, but it’s definitely not a quiet season here.
In this guide, I’m covering everything you need to know about visiting Queenstown in July, including weather, snow, crowds, what to pack, and the best things to do during winter.
FYI: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). I only share products & services I use, love & would recommend to a friend.
What is July like in Queenstown?
July falls in the middle of winter in Queenstown, meaning it’s the time of year for skiing and snowboarding, and snowy alpine scenery.
While the rest of New Zealand quiets down during the winter months, Queenstown is different. In fact, Queenstown is one of the most popular places to visit in New Zealand in winter, and July is one of the busiest times of year here.
July lines up with school holidays in both New Zealand and Australia, which means families pour into Queenstown for ski trips and winter holidays. The atmosphere can be really fun during this time, especially if you’re visiting with kids or planning a ski holiday yourself.
However, it can be really busy. Restaurants can book out. Accommodation prices go up. The ski fields get very crowded. And traffic around town definitely increases compared to shoulder season.
So, if you’re a skier or snowboarder who dislikes crowds, I’d probably aim for the end of July or even August instead if you have flexibility. You’ll often still get great snow conditions, but with slightly fewer people around.
That said, July can still be a fantastic time to visit Queenstown even if you don’t ski or snowboard at all.
Winter is one of the prettiest times of year here if you’re craving snow-capped mountain scenery, and there’s still plenty to do beyond the ski fields.
I’d just make sure you book your accommodation, vehicle rental, and activities in advance so you don’t miss out.
Weather in July in Queenstown
July is one of the coldest months of the year in Queenstown, with daytime temperatures usually sitting somewhere around 5°C to 8°C (41°F to 46°F), while mornings and nights often drop below freezing.
One thing that almost nobody mentions about Queenstown in winter is how little sun the town itself gets in July.
Because Queenstown sits so low between the mountains, parts of town can stay in shadow for huge chunks of the day during midwinter. So even if the forecast says it’ll be sunny, it can still feel very cold, especially if you’re visiting from a warmer climate.
The good news is that while it rarely snows in the town centre itself, the surrounding mountains usually have plenty of snow by July. So, you’ll still get those beautiful snowy views without necessarily dealing with snow-covered roads around town every day.
Getting around Queenstown
For the most flexibility and freedom on your trip, it’s easiest to have your own set of wheels.
It’s a requirement to carry chains in your vehicle in Queenstown in winter, so check with your rental company to make sure they include chains (and can show you how to use them if need be).
You don’t necessarily need a 4WD vehicle, but I do find it helpful if you plan to drive yourself up to the ski fields.
🚙 Where to hire a car in Queenstown ⤵️
I use Discover Cars to compare prices on car rentals in New Zealand.
I’m also a big fan of Apex Rentals—they have a depot just a short walk or shuttle ride from the Queenstown Airport, and I often find their prices to be the best around.
🚐 Where to hire a campervan in Queenstown ⤵️
I recommend using Motorhome Republic to compare prices on campervan rentals in New Zealand.
That said, you can also get around quite easily using a combination of the public bus, Uber, ski shuttles, and tour providers.
If you’d prefer not to drive, check out my guide to visiting Queenstown without a car.
Where to stay in Queenstown
I recommend staying near the Queenstown town centre so you can easily walk to cafes, restaurants, and activities.
🛏️ Here are some accommodation options I recommend ⤵️
$$ – Holiday Inn Express for the convenient location and complimentary breakfast
$$ – Garden Court Suites for comfortable rooms with kitchenettes
$$$ – The Glebe for luxury apartments
Camping – If you’re planning on a winter campervan adventure, check out my guide to the best campsites in Queenstown.
Things to do in July in Queenstown
Go skiing or snowboarding
I don’t think I could write a guide to Queenstown in July without first mentioning the top activity here—hitting the slopes!
If you’re a skier or snowboarder, you’ll have two ski fields right at your doorstep: the Remarkables (my favourite) and Coronet Peak (which also has night skiing on certain evenings in July!).
Further afield near Wanaka, there’s also Cardrona and Treble Cone.
Play in the snow
Even if you don’t ski, you can still enjoy the snow around Queenstown. And I think the easiest way to do that is to head up to the ski fields!
It’s completely free to visit the Remarkables and Coronet Peak without a lift pass. You can play around in the snow, and grab a coffee to enjoy while soaking up some sunshine and views.
At Coronet Peak, you can also book a ticket to ride the gondola if you’d like to experience even more of the mountain scenery.
Cruise on Lake Wakatipu
One of the best year-round activities in Queenstown is taking a scenic cruise on Lake Wakatipu.
In the winter, you can stay warm and cosy inside your cruise of choice whilst taking in the epic scenery from the water.
My top choice for lake cruises is the TSS Earnslaw, a historic steam ship and true Queenstown icon. Pairing the cruise with the BBQ lunch or dinner at Walter Peak Station is a fantastic idea—the food is incredible, and the whole experience is just really nice.
Other options for lake cruises are the Million Dollar Cruise and Spirit of Queenstown, which are excellent choices, too!
Enjoy the cosy cafes
There are so many good cafes in Queenstown, and I think winter is arguably the best time to enjoy them. Sleeping in and enjoying a leisurely brunch is my perfect idea of a relaxing morning in Queenstown!
In the town centre, a few of my favourite cafes are Bespoke Kitchen, Vudu, and Odd Saint. All of these spots have great food and coffee, and a nice atmosphere.
Just beyond town in the Queenstown Marina is another place I recommend: Boat Shed Cafe, where you can enjoy your food and coffee with stellar views over Lake Wakatipu.
Go on a winter walk
In winter, you might not be able to do every hiking trail around Queenstown, particularly higher-elevation trails like Ben Lomond (unless it’s a super mild winter, or you’re an experienced alpine hiker).
That said, there are still plenty of walks you can do! Bundle up, wear sturdy shoes, and hit the trails—which will be mostly quiet and peaceful this time of year.
Here are some of my favourite walks in winter.
Queenstown Gardens
The Queenstown Gardens are located just a short walk from the town centre. They’re beautiful (and free!) to visit year-round. I highly recommend walking the peninsula track around the gardens for beautiful views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.
Queenstown Marina to the Kawarau Falls Bridge
This section of the Frankton Track offers a gentle stroll along Lake Wakatipu. I like to start in the Marina and have breakfast and coffee at the Boat Shed Cafe or Boat Shed Bakery, then walk it off along the trail.
You can continue past the Kawarau Falls Bridge towards Kelvin Heights if you’d like—the trail continues all the way to the Kelvin Peninsula Track (more on that below).
Kelvin Peninsula Track
Located in Kelvin Heights, the Kelvin Peninsula Track is an easy, beautiful walk and one I think is underrated. The trail gets year-round sun and is a great option if you want something mellow.
Bob’s Cove
Bob’s Cove is a short but beautiful walk to a sandy beach cove on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. This trail is usually fine to do in winter, but it can occasionally get icy, so I’d wear good boots.
Lake Sylvan
Lake Sylvan is located past Glenorchy in Mount Aspiring National Park, so it’s best to plan for this one as a full day outing. This is one of my favourite easy hikes around Queenstown, with a gentle loop trail under beech forest leading to peaceful Lake Sylvan.
Ride the Skyline Gondola
For epic views over Queenstown, ride the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak.
From Bob’s Peak, you’ll get a panoramic view of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the snow-capped Remarkables.
At the top of the gondola, there’s also a cafe, bar, and luge. The luge is honestly a lot of fun, but I definitely recommend wearing gloves in winter, because your fingers will get very cold otherwise!
It’s really nice to grab a coffee or drink at the cafe or bar to sip on while soaking up the incredible views.
Visit Arrowtown
Arrowtown is a historic gold mining town that looks like something out of a Hallmark movie.
You can either drive from Queenstown to Arrowtown in about 20 minutes, or take the public Orbus bus to get there.
This is a fun place to just go for a wander, pop into shops and cafes, and enjoy the scenery. If you’re after a meal, the Dishery is a great spot for brunch, and Slow Cuts is my favourite place for a casual lunch (their chicken burger is so good).
For a relaxing activity in Arrowtown, catch a movie at the charming Dorothy Brown cinema. Or grab a drink at the Fork and Tap or the Blue Door Bar.
Right near Arrowtown is another worthy destination: Ayrburn, a food and dining precinct with impressive grounds. Keep an eye out for events at Ayrburn in July, like their Winter Wonderland Lights event.
Day trip to Wanaka
Wanaka is an excellent road trip from Queenstown no matter the time of year.
Like Queenstown, Wanaka is a beautiful lakeside town surrounded by alpine scenery, with ski fields close by.
To drive from Queenstown to Wanaka, you can either go via the Crown Range Road or Highway 6 through Cromwell.
The Crown Range Road is a gorgeous drive, but it’s New Zealand’s highest main road and is winding and steep—and it can sometimes close on winter days when the conditions aren’t safe. So, check up on the road conditions before setting out.
In Wanaka itself, you can go for a stroll along the lakefront to see the famous Wanaka Tree (which will be bare of leaves in winter), catch a movie at the iconic Cinema Paradiso, or enjoy a meal at one of the many excellent eateries around town. The Brownston Street Food Trucks and Big Fig are my favourite spots for a casual lunch.
If you’re keen to hit the slopes over this way, there are two ski fields near Wanaka: Cardrona and Treble Cone. Alternatively, if you’d prefer more mellow snow-based activities like cross-country skiing or tubing, head to Snow Farm near Cardrona.
Go wine tasting
There are two wine regions close to Queenstown: Gibbston Valley and Bannockburn. The vines might be bare in winter, but you can still enjoy some wine in the cold weather!
In Gibbston, I love Mt Rosa and Kinross for wine tastings and platters. And in Bannockburn, Mt Difficulty and Carrick are great spots to visit.
I know this should go without saying, but if you’re sampling some wine, it’s better to let someone else do the driving. There are a number of different wine tours you can choose from around Queenstown—I like the Wine Hopper Bus for a casual option.
Drive to Glenorchy
The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is one of the most scenic roads in the South Island, and one I always recommend to visitors.
The drive takes about 45 minutes one-way without stops, with epic views of Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps along the entire drive.
There are some good stops to make along the way, including Bob’s Cove and the Bennett’s Bluff Lookout.
Once you reach Glenorchy, you can visit the Glenorchy Wharf and historic red boat shed, walk the peaceful Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway, and grab lunch at Mrs Woolly’s or Casa Jaguar.
And if you’re keen to extend your day trip, continue driving past Glenorchy to Mount Aspiring National Park for scenery that will make your jaw drop.
Indulge in après-ski
You don’t have to ski to partake in one of the best winter activities around Queenstown: après-ski!
Après-ski is basically just the tradition of relaxing after a day well-spent by enjoying good food and drinks in a cosy setting.
There are so many good places for après-ski around Queenstown.
You could head to a brewery like Altitude or Canyon Brewing for a craft beer and hearty pub food, or visit a cocktail bar like Little Blackwood, Ferg’s Bar, the Wharf Bar, or Little Mez.
For a cosy dinner, I recommend the Cow for pizza and pasta, Tanoshi for Japanese share plates, or Sundays for woodfired pizzas. Steamer Wharf has lots of options, including Saigon Kingdom, Flame, and Atlas Beer Cafe.
Many bars around town will have live music, too, which adds to the festive atmosphere.
Warm up in a hot pool or sauna
Is there anything better than soaking in a hot pool on a cold winter’s day? Luckily, you’ve got quite a few options around Queenstown!
The most famous of them all is the Onsen Hot Pools in Arthur’s Point, which feature woodfired hot tubs overlooking the Shotover River. I do recommend booking these far in advance because they often sell out.
Right in town, there’s Bathe by Aluume and the Bathhouse Spa.
There’s also the Watershed Sauna, a floating sauna on Lake Wakatipu where you can experience contrast therapy by alternating heating up in the sauna with a cold plunge in the lake.
Visit Deer Park Heights
Deer Park Heights is a self-drive excursion that offers a unique combination: it’s an animal encounter, scenic drive, and Lord of the Rings filming site all-in-one.
The views from up here are absolutely incredible, and it’s a fun activity for all ages. I highly recommend packing a picnic and thermos of tea or hot chocolate to enjoy while soaking up the views.
You’ll need to book your visit ahead online, although do note that you’ll need to enter your vehicle registration and model at the time of booking. You can typically visit Deer Park Heights in winter, unless the conditions require them to close for the day.
Bring $2 coins to purchase animal feed near the entrance.
Visit Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a highlight for many visitors to the South Island, and a place I wholeheartedly recommend you see for yourself.
With impressive mountains, countless waterfalls, and a fiord filled with inky-blue water and marine life, it’s a place that will stay etched in your memory forever.
This is one of the best day trips from Queenstown in winter, with one caveat: I don’t recommend that you drive yourself.
Milford Sound is located 4 hours from Queenstown and makes for a very long day trip any time of year, but especially in winter with short daylight hours.
Instead of driving yourself on a day trip, I highly recommend booking a tour to visit Milford Sound from Queenstown via a scenic flight or coach tour.
If you’d prefer to self-drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound, I recommend allocating at least 2 full days for your trip (and using Te Anau as a base).
The road from Te Anau to Milford Sound can periodically close in winter due to snow, ice, and/or avalanche risk, so make sure to stay flexible with your plans if you plan to drive yourself, and keep an eye on the road conditions before setting out.
What to Wear in Queenstown in July
As obvious as it sounds, the main thing to consider is dressing warm. Layers are essential!
Queenstown is quite a casual place, and you don’t need to pack a lot of fancy things unless you want to.
I’m a huge fan of merino wool layers, which keep you warm and dry without feeling bulky or itchy.
If you forget to pack anything or don’t have the right things, there are plenty of places to shop for good quality gear around Queenstown. Icebreaker is great for merino base layers, and Patagonia or Outside Sports have a fantastic selection of gear.
Here’s what I’d pack for a July visit to Queenstown:
- Base layer top and bottom (merino is my go-to!)
- Pants you can wear with your base layer under
- Leggings or joggers for walks/hikes
- Long-sleeved tops and sweaters
- A midlayer like a fleece
- Puffer jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- Beanie
- Gloves
- Scarf
- Warm socks
- Boots (I love my Blundstones)
- Sneakers or other comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Swimsuit & sandals for hot pools/sauna
And if you’re planning to ski or snowboard, you’ll want to pack any gear you’ll need for that, unless you plan to rent your gear in town.
Tips for visiting Queenstown in July
Book accommodation early
July is one of the busiest months of the year in Queenstown, especially during the New Zealand and Australian school holidays.
Accommodation prices rise quickly, and good hotels, holiday parks, and apartments can book out far in advance. If you already know your travel dates, I’d lock accommodation in as early as possible.
Consider a 4WD vehicle
You don’t need a 4WD vehicle to visit Queenstown in July.
However, if you’re planning to drive up to the ski fields regularly, having a 4WD does make life easier, especially after fresh snowfall.
Whether you hire a 2WD or 4WD, make sure your rental car includes snow chains. Your rental company should provide them and show you how to use them if needed.
Queenstown in July FAQs
Is Queenstown good to visit in July?
July is a good time to visit Queenstown if you’re keen to go skiing or snowboarding and don’t mind crowds.
Even if you don’t ski, July is a beautiful time of year for experiencing snow-capped mountain scenery around Queenstown.
Does it snow in Queenstown in July?
It rarely snows at the town level in Queenstown, but the mountains around Queenstown will usually have snow in July.
That said, this does depend on the conditions from year to year. Even if there isn’t natural snowfall, though, the ski fields will make their own snow to ensure adequate coverage for skiers and snowboarders.
Thanks for reading my guide to Queenstown in July!
I truly hope this has helped you plan your winter visit to Queenstown.
As always, please leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback for me—I really love hearing from you!
Some Queenstown itineraries for you
If you’re planning a visit to Queenstown, these itineraries might help get you started:
