If you’re wondering what to pack for New Zealand in summer, let me start by saying this: I am so jealous. New Zealand is my favorite country and no matter how many times I visit, I’m always dying to go back!
New Zealand summers are sunny, breezy, and not miserably hot, which makes it an absolute dream destination for outdoor lovers. Here’s the short answer for what should be on your New Zealand summer packing list: lightweight layers for warm, sunny days, trail shoes that can get wet and dry fast, a fleece for evenings, SPF 50+ sunscreen (the UV index is wild), and a swimsuit you can comfortably hike in (for when you want to hop in a gorgeous alpine lake to cool off while hiking or biking!).
After road-tripping the South Island in summer — penguin-watching, biking to wineries, hiking fjords, swimming with wild dolphins, and taking a campervan roadtrip — this list includes everything I was grateful I packed, and leaves off the things that I brought but didn’t touch once!
Here’s what you actually need to know about what to pack for New Zealand in summer.
What to pack for New Zealand in summer
This isn’t a “cute cafe outfits in Queenstown” packing list. It’s for an active trip: hiking, road trips, national parks, mountain biking, glacier walks, alpine lake swims, wildlife viewing, boating, and more!
The general vibe in New Zealand is outdoorsy, and you won’t feel out of place in your activewear even if you mix in a little R&R in your itinerary. In fact, I highly recommend it! One of my favorite days of the 6 weeks I spent on the South island was biking the Queenstown Wine Trail, an absolutely picturesque ride through valleys, sparkling blue rivers, suspension bridges, and gently rolling vineyards. After all, what better motivation to bike than to reach wine and cheese? Definitely add this to your must-do list!
What is summer like in New Zealand?
Summer in New Zealand is from December-February, with January and February usually being the warmest months. Temps are comfortable and no where near scorching — while I was there it stayed in the 70-85 range, but alpine areas often felt cooler in the evenings.
One thing I underestimated when I was there in January and February was the really strong UV index. Even when it didn’t feel that hot, the UV index was usually around 9 so you could burn easily without realizing it! And if you’re visiting the West Coast or Fiordland, you’ll likely meet New Zealand’s tiny but infamous sandflies, which love damp areas near water (more on that in the FAQs later).
My South Island New Zealand summer packing list
Clothing
- 2–3 quick-dry hiking tops
- 2-3 bottoms
- quick drying shorts
- biker shorts
- lightweight pants or leggings
- Swimsuits (2–3)
- Athletic bikini tops or a quick-drying sports bra you can hike or bike in, then hop in a river! The water in New Zealand is sparkling clean, and hopping in a lake or river was something we did multiple times a day, every day
- High-rise bottoms for movement
- Light sweater, fleece, or jacket layer
- Lightweight rain jacket
- Lightweight puffer jacket
- Casual town outfit
- the vibe in general is outdoorsy and down to earth, so the only “town outfit” I brought was non-athletic shorts and a casual top. If there’s anything I can convince you to leave off your New Zealand summer packing list, I hope it’s dressy/trendy outfits. You won’t get much use out of them and they take up so much space!
Shoes
- Hiking shoes or trail runners – grip matters, and some trails have water flowing over them depending on recent rainfall
- Water shoes – I love my Bedrock sandals and have had them for years. You’ll be glad to have a shoe like this so you can hike and swim with them on. Supportive, protective from rocky river bottoms, and no wet feet while you’re hiking!
- Casual sandals – If I wasn’t hiking I was usually wearing my casual slim Teva sandals. Comfort is king for me, and these are one of those chameleon sandals you can wear with almost anything. I find shoes are what most overpackers waste most of their precious space on!
Essentials
- SPF 50+ sunscreen
- SPF lip balm
- Hat + sunglasses
- Bug spray (DEET)
- Refillable water bottle
- Daypack – I use this small Osprey Daylite pack and love it! It’s just big enough if I’m out for the day (and has water bottle pockets, which a lot of these smaller packs don’t!)
- Travel towel
- Dry bag
- Power bank
Hiking packing list (my day pack for hiking in New Zealand)
If your “big” bag is packed, great! Next, you’re probably wondering exactly what to wear hiking in New Zealand in summer and what to include in your day pack.
- Lightweight, quick-dry layers: Sports-bra style swim top, biker shorts, and a hiking top to toss over the swimsuit
- Quick drying hat
- Light sweater, jacket, or fleece for alpine winds, early morning starts, or after a swim
- SPF 50
- Lip SPF
- Compact, quick drying towel
- Sunglasses
- Bug spray
- Snacks, electrolytes, phone
What NOT to pack for New Zealand in summer
- Heavy winter coat – no matter where I’m going, I always bring a light, compact NorthFace puffer as a “just in case.” In New Zealand, I only used it occasionally when I went on the glacier heli-hike and on the boat after swimming with wild dolphins. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and was HANDS DOWN the best thing I did when I was there (and one of the best things I’ve done anywhere, for that matter). Definitely check it out!
- Too many “cute” outfits, heels, jewelry, etc
- Full hiking boot if only doing short walks
- Denim and other heavy fabrics
FAQs: New Zealand summer packing list
Are sandflies bad in New Zealand?
Everyone will tell you the sandflies are bad in New Zealand in summer, but of the 6 weeks of summer I spent there, I only noticed bugs for a few days while camping on a river outside of Fiordland National Park. Regardless, I was happy to have bug spray with me just in case, if only for the peace of mind.
Location-wise, the sandflies will be the worst near Fiordland, on the west coast, and near lakes and rivers. If you’re heading to those places, bring the bug spray just in case!
Is New Zealand’s South Island hot in summer?
Yes, the South Island of New Zealand is typically hot in summer (December–February) with temps from 70-85. For me, this was perfect for being active outside all day without overheating. It’s not hot in a tropical way — I didn’t experience have any humid days and it was on the dryer side in general. Evenings were sometimes a bit chilly, so don’t forget to pack a sweatshirt or light jacket.
Can you swim in New Zealand in summer?
Definitely! We stayed with a local friend, and him and his family went swimming in the lakes and rivers every day! Being from America, we couldn’t believe how clean and crystal clear the water was in the rivers running through towns. The water was on the chillier side though, but it was lovely and refreshing!
Do I need a rain jacket in New Zealand in summer?
On New Zealand’s South Island in summer, the central Otago region is dryer than the west coast. We used Wanaka as a base for a few weeks, then toured the whole island in a campervan. Over those 6 weeks, we had maybe 3 rainy days, but of course this can vary by summer month and year to year. I recommend bringing a rain jacket for the peace of mind. And if you’re planning to do a cruise in Milford Sound, DEFINITELY be prepared with full rain gear- read about my experience here and what I wish I’d known before I went!
This is embarassing, but...
Remember the little email newsletter I mentioned earlier? I really, really want to send it to you. You deserve all the things, including fun stories, adventures of your own, tips on sick travel destinations, and a giggle or two. We could all use that.
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