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

Aoraki Mount Cook beats Wānaka in 8 of 12 months — its lead peaks in January (82 vs 14) — while Wānaka wins July; they are within 3 points in June, August and September.

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: 8 of 12

Wānaka

🇳🇿 New Zealand · mild climate

Best month: July 71/100
Months won: 1 of 12

Aoraki Mount Cook vs Wānaka — all 12 months

Month	Aoraki Mount Cook	Wānaka	Winner	Gap
January	82Anice, soaked, clean air	14Fnice, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	68
February	84Anice, soaked, clean air	18Fnice, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	66
March	81Anice, soaked, clean air	16Fnice, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	65
April	72Bcool, soaked, clean air	27Fcool, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	45
May	63Ccold, soaked, clean air	41Fcold, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	22
June	59Dcold, soaked, clean air	57Dcold, a little rain, clean air	Tie	2
July	55Dcold, soaked, clean air	71Bcold, rainy, clean air	Wānaka	16
August	61Ccold, soaked, clean air	62Ccold, a little rain, clean air	Tie	1
September	60Ccold, soaked, clean air	59Dcold, rainy, clean air	Tie	1
October	67Ccold, soaked, clean air	45Fcool, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	22
November	74Bcool, soaked, clean air	25Fnice, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	49
December	77Bnice, soaked, clean air	12Fnice, rainy, clean air	Aoraki Mount Cook	65

A month is a tie when the two are within 3 points. The widest gap is January (82 vs 14). Tap a month for that month's temperature, rain, humidity and air quality side by side.