SeasonMapKaikōura vs Queenstown: which is better, month by month
Kaikōura beats Queenstown in 9 of 12 months — its lead peaks in January (83 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.
Kaikōura vs Queenstown — all 12 months
| Month | Kaikōura | Queenstown | Winner | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 83Anice, a little rain, clean air | 13Fnice, rainy, clean air | Kaikōura | 70 |
| February | 82Anice, rainy, clean air | 19Fnice, rainy, clean air | Kaikōura | 63 |
| March | 80Anice, a little rain, clean air | 17Fnice, rainy, clean air | Kaikōura | 63 |
| April | 70Bnice, rainy, clean air | 26Fcool, rainy, clean air | Kaikōura | 44 |
| May | 63Ccool, rainy, clean air | 44Fcool, rainy, clean air | Kaikōura | 19 |
| June | 57Dcool, rainy, clean air | 60Ccold, rainy, clean air | Tie | 3 |
| July | 57Dcool, rainy, clean air | 72Bcold, rainy, clean air | Queenstown | 15 |
| August | 66Ccool, a little rain, clean air | 64Ccold, rainy, clean air | Tie | 2 |
| September | 72Bcool, a little rain, clean air | 56Dcool, soaked, clean air | Kaikōura | 16 |
| October | 75Bnice, rainy, clean air | 39Fcool, rainy, clean air | Kaikōura | 36 |
| November | 78Bnice, rainy, clean air | 24Fnice, rainy, clean air | Kaikōura | 54 |
| December | 77Bnice, rainy, clean air | 15Fnice, rainy, clean air | Kaikōura | 62 |
A month is a tie when the two are within 3 points. The widest gap is January (83 vs 13). Tap a month for that month's temperature, rain, humidity and air quality side by side.