Queenstown vs Rotorua: which is better, month by month

Rotorua beats Queenstown in 11 of 12 months — its lead peaks in January (86 vs 13) — and they are within 3 points in July.

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.

Queenstown vs Rotorua — all 12 months

Month	Queenstown	Rotorua	Winner	Gap
January	13Fnice, rainy, clean air	86Awarm, rainy, clean air	Rotorua	73
February	19Fnice, rainy, clean air	84Awarm, rainy, clean air	Rotorua	65
March	17Fnice, rainy, clean air	88Anice, rainy, clean air	Rotorua	71
April	26Fcool, rainy, clean air	84Anice, rainy, clean air	Rotorua	58
May	44Fcool, rainy, clean air	80Acool, rainy, clean air	Rotorua	36
June	60Ccold, rainy, clean air	76Bcool, rainy, clean air	Rotorua	16
July	72Bcold, rainy, clean air	73Bcold, rainy, clean air	Tie	1
August	64Ccold, rainy, clean air	79Bcool, rainy, clean air	Rotorua	15
September	56Dcool, soaked, clean air	79Bcool, rainy, clean air	Rotorua	23
October	39Fcool, rainy, clean air	85Acool, rainy, clean air	Rotorua	46
November	24Fnice, rainy, clean air	88Anice, rainy, clean air	Rotorua	64
December	15Fnice, rainy, clean air	87Anice, rainy, clean air	Rotorua	72

A month is a tie when the two are within 3 points. The widest gap is January (13 vs 86). Tap a month for that month's temperature, rain, humidity and air quality side by side.

Queenstown

🇳🇿 New Zealand · mild climate

Best month: July 72/100
Months won: 0 of 12

Rotorua

🇳🇿 New Zealand · mild climate

Best month: March 88/100
Months won: 11 of 12

Compare in the month you're travelling

January February March April May June July August September October November December

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