Weather in South Island in December

Average Temperatures in the South Island in December

December is generally warm in the South Island, with hotter temperatures in the northern and eastern regions (like Nelson, Marlborough and Christchurch) and more mild, spring-like temperatures in the mountains and further south (such as in Queenstown and Dunedin). Overall, it’s generally a time for t-shirts and shorts, with plenty of days where you might just feel like taking a dip! 

In terms of variation between different regions, here’s what to expect from average temperatures across the South Island in December:

Average Sunshine Hours Per day in the South Island in December

December is officially the start of summer, and it’s the month with the longest days of the year. Thanks to its deep southern latitude, the extremes of these long, sunny evenings and extended daylight hours are felt at their most extreme the further south you go (such as Dunedin and Queenstown). Wherever you are, though, chances are you can look forward to plenty of sunshine and daylight hours across the South Island for the whole of December.

Average rainfall in the South Island in December

December rainfall in the South Island is spread around across the regions. In some cities and areas, December can be a rainy month, with almost as many wet days as clear, sunny days and cloud. However, in others, this is the start of the driest period of the year, with hardly any rain and relatively low humidity. 

Therefore, knowing where you plan to go will affect how much rain (or not) to expect on any South Island holiday during December:

Best Things to do in the South Island in December 

Enjoy the Marlborough Sounds

December is a beautiful time to visit the Marlborough Sounds, with lovely long, sunny summer evenings providing the perfect setting to enjoy the natural beauty of these picturesque landscapes. The long days also make it a great time to walk some of the Queen Charlotte Sound Track, or explore into the Sounds’ different coves and bays on a boat cruise or kayak tour. If you need some sustenance along the way, Marlborough is also home to some of New Zealand’s best wineries and world-class seafood, with the historic town of Havelock proclaiming itself the “Greenshell Mussel Capital of the World”!

South Island Wine & Food Festival 

From Sauvignon Blanc to merino lamb, world-renowned hops to famous apricots, the South Island is renowned for a wide array of first-rate food and drink. It can usually be quite hard to get a taste of it all in one place – except for in December.  For one weekend in early December, central Christchurch’s Hagley Park gets taken over for one incredibly delicious and enjoyable festival celebrating all that South Island Food & Wine has to offer. Whether for the full family or just a fun day out, this is a day that is bound to impress.

Abel Tasman National Park

With iconic landmarks like Split Apple Rock and the sandy expanse of Golden Bay, the Tasman region is a wonderful place to visit during the long, warm days of December. Take a boat trip, hire a kayak or get your walking boots on and explore the many beautiful secluded coves and bays of Abel Tasman National Park, or head into nearby Motueka and Nelson, at the heart of a major hop-growing region, for a look into New Zealand’s world-famous craft beer scene

If you’re ready to start planning your trip, you can contact FLT’s South Island travel experts directly, and they can help you put together your itinerary. FLT also offers a wide range of prescribed South Island self-drive itinerary and tour packages, covering different durations and destinations, this is a great place to start your travel plans.