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Queenstown, New Zealand

Full City Profile

2.1 /5.0
C Fair
10,442 Population 2/sq mi density
1,076 ft Elevation 328 meters
46°F Avg Temperature 8°C
C
Overall
2.1 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$24,180 median income, 0.4% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$260,000 home value, $1,300/mo rent
Queenstown experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 36°F in July. The area gets 210 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 69.7 inches. The area receives 4.9 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

56°F Jan (13°C) 36°F Jul (2°C)
Annual Average46.1°F
15% below US avg
January Average56°F (13°C)
July Average36°F (2°C)
Sunny Days210 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,076 ft (328 m)
Area5,008.8 sq mi (12,972.7 km²)
Population Density2/sq mi
Coordinates-45.0302°N, 168.6627°W
TimezonePacific/Auckland

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 69.7"
83% above US avg
Snowfall 4.9"
Wettest Month (Oct) 7.91"
Driest Month (Feb) 4.13"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

510 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.2. Most recent: M4.3 on Jul 21, 2025.

Aug 21, 2003 56 km NW of Te Anau, New Zealand M7.2 120 km
Aug 10, 1993 63 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand M7.0 139 km
Nov 1, 2000 67 km NW of Te Anau, New Zealand M6.1 130 km
Aug 21, 2003 53 km W of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.9 131 km
Dec 7, 2001 59 km NNW of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.8 91 km
Aug 21, 2003 56 km NW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.7 120 km
Jun 24, 2020 87 km NNW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.6 103 km
Aug 11, 1993 71 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.6 143 km
May 4, 2015 28 km NW of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.6 59 km
Sep 30, 2003 53 km W of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.6 136 km
Sep 4, 2003 53 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.5 123 km
Jun 7, 2016 75 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.5 145 km
Jan 20, 2008 80 km NW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.5 133 km
Aug 12, 2019 80 km NW of Queenstown, New Zealand M5.4 80 km
Nov 12, 2000 59 km NW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.4 119 km
Feb 24, 2002 79 km NW of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.4 103 km
May 2, 2005 83 km N of Wanaka, New Zealand M5.4 123 km
Aug 21, 2003 63 km WNW of Te Anau, New Zealand M5.3 138 km
Nov 29, 1991 97 km NW of Queenstown, New Zealand M5.3 97 km
Jun 12, 2011 86 km NW of Arrowtown, New Zealand M5.2 90 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 4.0 m (13 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
2003 SOUTH ISLAND Eruption + Earthquake 4.0 m — 120 km
2002 ALBERT TOWN Meteorological — — 56 km
1987 DEEP COVE Meteorological — — 128 km
1886 JACKSON BAY, SOUTH ISLAND Meteorological — — 119 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 56°F (13°C) 5.6 in Warmest
February 56°F (13°C) 4.1 in Driest
March 53°F (11°C) 6.5 in
April 47°F (9°C) 5.4 in
May 42°F (5°C) 6.4 in
June 37°F (3°C) 5.5 in
July 36°F (2°C) 4.9 in Coldest
August 38°F (3°C) 4.9 in
September 42°F (5°C) 6.9 in
October 46°F (8°C) 7.9 in Wettest
November 49°F (10°C) 5.5 in
December 53°F (12°C) 6.0 in

Queenstown has a seasonal temperature swing of 20°F / from 36°F in July to 56°F in January. Total annual precipitation is 69.6 inches, with October being the wettest month (7.9") and February the driest (4.1").

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