Aoraki Mount Cook vs Queenstown: which is better, month by month

Aoraki Mount Cook beats Queenstown in 9 of 12 months — its lead peaks in January (82 vs 13) — while Queenstown wins July; they are within 3 points in June and August.

Each place is scored under the lens that suits its type — they are different kinds of destination, so the scores are each place at its own best. Comfort is SeasonMap's 0–100 estimate from ERA5 climate normals, not a forecast.

Aoraki Mount Cook

🇳🇿 New Zealand · mild climate

Best month: February 84/100
Months won: 9 of 12

Queenstown

🇳🇿 New Zealand · mild climate

Best month: July 72/100
Months won: 1 of 12

Aoraki Mount Cook vs Queenstown — all 12 months

Month	Aoraki Mount Cook	Queenstown	Winner	Gap
January	82Anice, soaked, clean air	13Fnice, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	69
February	84Anice, soaked, clean air	19Fnice, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	65
March	81Anice, soaked, clean air	17Fnice, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	64
April	72Bcool, soaked, clean air	26Fcool, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	46
May	63Ccold, soaked, clean air	44Fcool, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	19
June	59Dcold, soaked, clean air	60Ccold, rainy, clean air	Tie	1
July	55Dcold, soaked, clean air	72Bcold, rainy, clean air	Queenstown	17
August	61Ccold, soaked, clean air	64Ccold, rainy, clean air	Tie	3
September	60Ccold, soaked, clean air	56Dcool, soaked, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	4
October	67Ccold, soaked, clean air	39Fcool, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	28
November	74Bcool, soaked, clean air	24Fnice, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	50
December	77Bnice, soaked, clean air	15Fnice, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	62

A month is a tie when the two are within 3 points. The widest gap is January (82 vs 13). Tap a month for that month's temperature, rain, humidity and air quality side by side.