New Zealand Travel Forum

I have few questions regarding the autumn color in South Island.
- Is it the last two weeks of April or 1st two weeks of May, the fall colors (fall foliage) start to peak ? I know this is unpredictable due to the weather but I just hope I can get a rough answer.
- Which driving route is the best route to enjoy the fall colors, let say from Christchurch to Queenstown, or in the South island overall ? How is the weather at that time of the year , just roughly guessing.

Thanks.

I love autumn in Arrowtown and Wanaka. See my website for some awesome photos taken in Wanaka - http://www.worldsouroyster.com/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=73 They were taken around the 24-25 April. So in answer to your questions the colours are awesome. The autumn colours are awesome in Christchuch as well.

The weather can be very changeable...warm one day, cold the next to snow the next. In fact you can get four seasons in one day.

I spend a lot of time helping my friends from overseas work out the best way to see the South Island...it really does depend on where you are starting and need to finish in the South Island, what you like, how much time you have and your mode of transportation and accommodation. A lot of people travel by campervan. I am not sure how cold it will be at night in May in a campervan. They do provide heating in some of the campervans. A good website that we use is http://www.aatravel.co.nz/what-to-see-newzealand/

Fully agree with Arrowtown and Wanaka, not so much about Christchurch. Sure, you can have a look at my silver birch in the garden and be delighted by its yellow autumn leaves, or in the Botanic Garden where they have quite some exotic trees that change the colour of the leaves in autumn. But most trees are green year-round, so I would not expect too much in Christchurch, except the Botanic Garden and adjoining Hagley Park with an oak-lined avenue.

But you really have the golden autumns in Otago. If you drive from Christchurch to Queenstown, it starts at about Twizel, and it gets amazing in the Lindis Pass, right through to Queenstown. They have planted a lot of poplars there, and also the willows turn golden. As said, our autumns are golden. We do not have Indian summers with all colours from yellow to orange and red as the autumn nights are not cold enough to produce this dramatic effect, and there are not many maple trees and such - but two or three in Christchurch's Botanic Garden ;-)

The most fantastic place for autumn colours is Lake Hayes which is close to Arrowtown. (I have posted some pictures of it on my Otago page.) At the end of April there is an autumn festival in Arrowtown. And yes, the best time normally is the last two weeks of April and the first two weeks of May, always depending on the temperatures, and how long the previous winter lasts.

The temperatures can be rather low at night. You will need winter clothes in Queenstown at this time of the year if you want to walk around in the evening, or go on a jetboat ride. The air is fresh and clear, with normally not a lot of rain. But as you know, you never know... ;-)

The inland route is certainly the most colourful route in autumn. On the West Coast, for example, you might not see a single tree with yellow leaves as it is pure rainforest, and this stays green. But this time of the year is very nice over there as it rains less than in summer.

I'd definitely say you're right about the timing. Christchurch is very beautiful in the Autumn. Yep Hagley park etc but also if you fancy a nice walk there's the Beckenham loop in south Christchurch. In fact theres lots of river walks where you might be up to your waist in dead leaves but it can be breathtaking. About 5pm in the evening is nice.

Also would agree that you should get out to Central Otago if you want to see a real Autumn Beautyscape. Nothing like it