Visiting New Zealand in August: The Best Things to See and Do

New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and is very popular with tourists who prefer to enjoy nature and the great outdoors.

For fans of nature, there is no better place than New Zealand: hills, waterfalls, glaciers, bays, and forests await — and this is just a small sample of what to expect!

From taking in the beautiful scenery to rejuvenating yourself at a truly local New Zealand hot spring, hiking up to mountain peaks, or simply strolling around an ancient crater lake, there is an entire range of activities to enjoy. Even better, travelers from more than 60 countries can easily obtain the New Zealand eVisa as long as they meet the NZeTA requirements.

If you’re planning to travel to New Zealand in August, be sure to save this article — it includes the average temperatures, as well as the best things to see and do.

New Zealand Weather in August

August is one of the coldest months in New Zealand, especially since it is considered to be the last month of winter in the country.

The temperature in August hovers between 5 and 15°C on the North Island and between 0 to 7°C on the South Island. The coldest areas are the mountainous regions, with severe frost and a high chance of chilly winds.

Despite such cold weather, tourists from all over the world come to New Zealand (even in August!) to enjoy a skiing trip or to go bathing in the country’s famous hot springs.

After stocking up on warm clothes and plenty of layers, it’s time to choose where to go. Here is just a small sample of what to do and where to go in New Zealand in August:

Enjoy the views on TranzAlpine

You don’t have to trek through the cold mountains to enjoy the beautiful views of New Zealand!

The TranzAlpine is considered one of the most jaw-dropping train routes in the world and, of course, the most beautiful in New Zealand.

The route starts in Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island, and ends in Greymouth. The total length of the route is 223 kilometers and the trip takes about 4 hours.

The train passes through many tunnels, viaducts, and photo-worthy spots during the trip. Travelers are treated to the beautiful scenery of mountains, lakes, plains, and waterfalls.

It is worth taking care of tickets well in advance, as this route is very popular among tourists and tickets are not always available at the station.

Hot springs

Natural hot springs are one of the main tourist attractions of New Zealand, especially since there are more than 110 hot pools located around the country!

These pockets of hot water appeared thanks to ancient volcanoes and are reported to have many health benefits.

Relaxing and recuperating in hot springs is a great way to spend time on a cold August day, no matter which part of the country you’re in.

Hot Water Beach

While we’re on the topic of hot springs, there’s one unique attraction that definitely deserves a spot on your itinerary: Hot Water Beach!

Just like the name notes, there are two hot springs hidden under the sand of a local beach. Visitors typically dig a shallow hole, which fills up with warm water, and create their own makeshift ‘hot tub!’

It’s important to note that the deeper you dig, the water will get hotter. Sometimes, tourists even dig a channel to connect the cool ocean water to the hot spring tub.

Lake Taupo

Lake Taupo is considered the largest lake in New Zealand, with a depth of up to 160 meters. The lake was formed by a volcanic eruption many years ago and was untouched by humankind for a long time.

Tourists from all over the world come here to admire the local nature and go fishing. Thanks to the increased geothermal activity, resort complexes with hot mineral springs and healing mud baths are located near the lake.

Wai-O-Tapu

Wai-O-Tapu, which stands for ‘sacred waters’ in Maori, is rightly called New Zealand’s “thermal wonderland.” This sprawling complex is home to dozens of different geothermal pools in bright orange, blue, and green colors.

Despite the fact that you can’t swim in the thermal springs due to the high temperatures and chemical components, the park is very popular among tourists due to its incredible picturesqueness and unique landscapes.

 Milford Sound

The Milford Sound fjord is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world — even Rudyard Kipling, the famous British writer, noted that this attraction should be the 8th wonder of the world.

The bay around Milford Sound is surrounded by majestic rocky mountains covered with lush trees, while the tops are hidden behind fluffy clouds. Putting all of this together creates a truly surreal picture that will make even the pickiest travel gasp in awe.

In fact, August is one of the best months for traveling to this attraction: the water begins to flow from the mountains and form dozens of small waterfalls.