NZ Rotorua, New Zealand

Best Time to Visit
Rotorua

Rotorua, geothermal wonderland — geysers, hot springs and living Maori culture.

Updated: March 2026 · Open-Meteo · 10 years · 12 months compared · -38.14°N 176.25°E
JanuaryBest month
73°FOptimal temperature
39%Rainy days

When to visit Rotorua?

🌞 Best time overall
January
🌡️ Optimal temperature
57°F–73°F in January
🌧 Least rain
39% rainy days in January
🌧 Wettest month
July (43%)
📅 Best score
7.8/10

Best time by type of trip

♨️Geysers & hot springsYear-round — Te Puia, Wai-O-Tapu, bubbling mud pools.
🏛️Māori cultureYear-round — haka, hangi, Tamaki Village, cultural shows.
🌲Redwoods & mountain bikingYear-round — redwood forest, 130+ km of MTB trails.
🛶Lakes & kayakingNov–Mar — Lake Tarawera, blue water, Hot Water Beach kayak.

Rotorua weather month by month

MonthMin °FMax °FRainy days (%)Precip. in/dSun h/dScore
🌤️ January57°F73°F39%0.1in13.0h7.8/10
🌤️ February59°F73°F41%0.2in12.1h7.6/10
🌤️ March55°F70°F33%0.1in11.0h7.5/10
🌤️ April50°F64°F36%0.1in9.4h7.1/10
⛅ May46°F59°F31%0.2in8.7h6.5/10
⛅ June45°F55°F39%0.2in7.9h4.8/10
🌦️ July41°F54°F43%0.2in7.7h4.4/10
🌦️ August41°F54°F40%0.1in9.0h5.0/10
🌦️ September45°F57°F46%0.2in9.8h5.2/10
🌦️ October48°F61°F46%0.1in10.5h6.7/10
🌦️ November52°F66°F48%0.2in12.0h7.1/10
🌦️ December55°F70°F45%0.2in12.9h7.4/10
Ideal Fair Challenging climate Source: Open-Meteo · 10 years

What to expect each season

🌸 Spring (Mar–May) — Good time

Average 18°F, 33% rainy days, 9.7h sunshine/day. Score: 7.0/10.

☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug) — Challenging climate

Average 12°F, 41% rainy days, 8.2h sunshine/day. Score: 4.7/10.

🍂 Autumn (Sep–Nov) — Acceptable

Average 16°F, 47% rainy days, 10.8h sunshine/day. Score: 6.3/10.

❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb) — Good time

Average 22°F, 42% rainy days, 12.7h sunshine/day. Score: 7.6/10.

Find a place to stay in Rotorua

Check availability during the recommended period

Tip : off-peak months (July, August) are cheapest but weather is significantly worse.

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Activities and tours in Rotorua

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and local experiences. Browse activities on GetYourGuide

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Detailed weather by month

Frequently asked questions

January is ideal with 39% rainy days and 23°F.
July is the wettest month with 43% rainy days.
Yes, January is the best month with an average of 23°F.
In winter, the average score is 7.6/10. Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.

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