Our lucky guides get to travel all over New Zealand in all seasons. When we asked what their favourite month was to show off the country, we weren’t at all surprised when several chose November. November has all the benefits of summer; but with lighter traffic on the roads, fewer visitors at popular attractions, and good availability of accommodation, it feels like the country’s best-kept secret. Here are some of the reasons we all love November in New Zealand, and some travel tips to make the most of a November visit.
NOVEMBER WEATHER IN NEW ZEALAND
November is the last month of spring in New Zealand.* With summer just around the corner, the days are becoming long and warm. Rainfall is low, yet earlier spring rains have left the countryside freshly rinsed and looking positively edible (as our woolly residents can attest). New Zealand weather is changeable regardless of the season and you will get rainy days, but this is the beginning of a more settled period.
Daytime temperatures are mild, around 20˚C (68˚F), falling to around 6˚C (43˚F) at night, with regional variations. The far north and eastern coast of the North Island and parts of the South Island, including Nelson and Christchurch, can get markedly warmer.
* Reminder: seasons are the opposite here in the Southern Hemisphere—spring is September to November, summer December to February, autumn March to May, and winter June to August. Also, temperatures are typically warmer in the north than in the south.
NOVEMBER SCENERY IN NEW ZEALAND
November is a dream month for professional and pocket photographers alike, with New Zealand at arguably its most photogenic. One of our guides’ most anticipated sights is the arrival of lupins in the South Island. From mid-November, the river valleys of Canterbury, Otago and Fiordland flow with pink and purple blooms, while snow-capped peaks create an irresistible backdrop for even the most selfie-averse. And then there’s those rolling, green hillsides dotted with lambs…trust us, buy an extra SD card for your camera and start making room on your phone now.
NOVEMBER EVENTS IN NEW ZEALAND
The 5th of November is Guy Fawkes, a fireworks and bonfire event to celebrate the foiled plot to blow up the British Parliament over 400 years ago. For New Zealanders, the reason for the celebration is less important than the excuse to get together with friends and family and start the summer fun with a bang. Some larger centres put on public fireworks displays, but you’re likely to hear at least a few whistles and pops from homegrown celebrations wherever you are.
November is when Farmers’ Markets become a regular weekend destination. It’s also the beginning of the summer’s garden and food & wine festivals around the country. Below are links to popular events happening this November:
Food & Wine Classic Hawke’s Bay
Toast Martinborough
The New Zealand Cider Festival
The Dunedin Craft Beer and Food Festival
NOVEMBER ACTIVITIES IN NEW ZEALAND
With milder weather, this is a great month for hiking and cycling, and New Zealand has a huge range of trails for enjoying both. This is also a favourite month for garden enthusiasts, with urban parks and gardens a kaleidoscope of blooms. Snowmelt means rivers are swift and swollen, perfect for white water rafting. For anglers, this is one of the best fishing months for brown trout. Pretty much every summer activity you can think of is happening from November onward, so the sky’s the limit (and there’s plenty of ways to enjoy it up there, too).
NOVEMBER VISITOR NUMBERS IN NEW ZEALAND
November is the final month of the tourism shoulder season. Despite the excellent weather, summer tourist crowds have yet to arrive, so it’s a great time to visit popular tourist destinations like Milford Sound. There’s still a good range of accommodation choices around the country, though we highly recommend booking as soon as your plans are known.
NOVEMBER PRICES IN NEW ZEALAND
While November is no longer considered low season for accommodation prices, they aren’t at the dizzying heights found in December and January when overseas visitors and Kiwis are both vying for room at the inn (or even space in the manger in popular destinations like Queenstown). The same goes for flights. Though airfares are now based on loading and will depend on availability at time of booking, November flights can be as much as half to a third of the price of those in December when seats are at a premium.
