Best Time to Visit Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
Month-by-month climate guide for planning a trip to Dunedin.
Dunedin does not have a month that clearly fits our sunny profiles. Its practical travel window centres on its warmest (January, 15.1°C / 59.2°F) and driest (September, 56 mm / 2.2 in) months. The drier stretch runs through April and August–November and January–February; the wetter half falls in March and May–July and December. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from 5.9°C / 42.6°F in July to 15.1°C / 59.2°F in January, with rainfall from 56 mm / 2.2 in (September) to 82 mm / 3.2 in (December). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Dunedin's climate is broadly seasonal. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| February | 15°C59°F | 60 mm2.4″ | — |
| January | 15.1°C59.2°F | 68 mm2.7″ | — |
| November | 12.3°C54.1°F | 64 mm2.5″ | — |
No month at Dunedin matches our sunny profiles. The three above are the driest-and-warmest fallback.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Dunedin?
Dunedin doesn't have a month that clearly matches our sunny profiles. The practical travel window centres on September (driest, ~56 mm / 2.2 in) and January (warmest, 15.1°C / 59.2°F). Because these are point values at the city, they can differ substantially from New Zealand's national average.
When is the rainy season in Dunedin?
The rainy season at Dunedin, Otago runs through March and May–July and December, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 68 mm / 2.7 in. The wettest single month is December (82 mm / 3.2 in).
What is the driest month in Dunedin?
The driest month in Dunedin is September, averaging about 56 mm / 2.2 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages 8.8°C / 47.8°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Dunedin?
The least comfortable months for travel to Dunedin — based on point-value climate at the city — are March, May, June, July, August, December. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 82 mm / 3.2 in in December, and the coldest month averages 5.9°C / 42.6°F.
Is Dunedin climate different from New Zealand overall?
Yes, usually. Our Dunedin figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our New Zealand figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Dunedin specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.