Arrowtown in spring & summer

Take me home / Plan your visit / Arrowtown in spring & summer

Spring and summer days are long and warm and often spent at the Arrow River

Spring and summer in Arrowtown equals long warm days and late sunsets, meaning more time to enjoy what the town and surrounding hills have to offer. Arrowtown is a working town with everything you need to stay, dine, eat, and shop. Take it slow, reset or perhaps enjoy some boutique shopping; or experience the pristine alpine air and sunshine, get outdoors and enjoy biking, hiking or some golf.

What to expect

Spring runs from September to November while summer is December to February. The temperature in Arrowtown ranges from 8 – 17ºC in spring and the weather can be changeable, while temperatures in summer are in the mid- high-20ºs and it is largely settled. The days and evenings get longer as it gets closer to summer, and dawn is as early at 5am while dusk is as late as 10pm at the height of summer.

Sunscreen, sunhats and water are recommended if you’re spending time outside (insect repellent too if you are near the river or lakes to avoid pesky sandfly bites). If you are planning to hike, bike or run in the trails, things can change quickly in our alpine environment even though it is warm and our nights can also still get cool. Check the weather conditions, tell someone about your plans, pack additional layers, a waterproof jacket, water and snacks, and wear appropriate shoes. Adventure Smart has lots of useful information on the New Zealand outdoors and you can also log your plans with them.

What’s on

At the start of spring the ski fields are still open, offering arguably the best skiing and a less busy option to get amongst the snow. The riverbanks bloom with flowers and the hills and valleys thaw and return to their green splendour, making it ideal for venturing out for an Arrowtown adventure. If you are near or crossing rivers, be aware that snow melt and spring rainfall mean rivers can rise quickly or be higher than normal.

Throughout spring and summer, the local Arrowtown Farmers Market is held at the Library Green offering local produce, delicious food and coffee, live music and local crafts. The market starts in Labour Weekend (late October) and runs through to mid-April.

Holiday fun

At the end of December and into January, Arrowtown bustles with Kiwis who come to town for their summer holiday break. The Arrow River (Haehaenui) becomes a hotspot for locals, visitors, dogs and kids to cool off and play in the long summer afternoons. With many other pop-up events making the most of the longer summer days, keep an eye on Arrowtown’s event schedule over the summer period.

Outdoor events

The Queenstown Marathon, is held in November each year and participants pass through the heart of Arrowtown on their way from Millbrook Resort and along the river trail towards Queenstown. There are also many other trail events throughout spring and summer that showcase Arrowtown and our backcountry offering.