New Zealand is particularly spectacular during the Autumn months.

Sunny days, crisp nights- and every shade of yellow and red fill the trees. Whether you want to go hiking in the sunshine or cosy up for a warm meal, here are the very best spots to witness the country's changing seasons.

What is Autumn like in New Zealand?

Autumn in New Zealand is between the months of March and May, and is a great time to explore our beautiful country. Like Autumn in other parts of the world, the trees are filled with golden leaves and is a magical time of year.

The temperature may vary depending on where you’re located in the country, but it’s normally somewhere between 7 - 21 degrees Celsius. So, you can still go for a swim during the warmer days, and rug up for a cosy night.

Autumn is also considered as shoulder season, meaning less people are travelling around compared to peak tourist season.

In this blog we cover the following autumnal hotspots:


Arrowtown  •  Arthur’s Pass  
•  Queenstown  •  Marlborough  •  Matakana  •  Christchurch  •  Tongariro National Park

Ready to soak up New Zealand's autumn beauty?

Witnessing New Zealand's changing seasons is a site to behold, and the shoulder season is the perfect time to explore. Great Journeys offers a range of tours and packages to showcase the very best off the beaten track locations. 

Book your rail journey today.

Explore autumn on a dramatic escape by rail

Journey off the beaten track to discover a world filled with autumnal colours and gentle falling leaves