Early summer · Weather & things to do
Aoraki / Mount Cook in December
The year's rain peaks now, with about 7.8 in (197 mm) falling in Aoraki / Mount Cook, alongside highs near 56°F (13°C) and lows of 46°F (8°C).
It scores 54/100 for comfort, 5th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 56°F (13°C)
- Avg low
- 46°F (8°C)
- Rain
- 7.8 in (197 mm)
- Humidity
- 85%
- Cloud cover
- 70%
- Daylight
- ~15 h 15 min
- Comfort score
- 54/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Days are mild at around 56°F (13°C): comfortable for walking all day, with a layer for the evening.
Nights cool to an average low of 46°F (8°C).
Expect regular rain: about 7.8 in (197 mm) falls in the month.
Long days help: there are roughly 15 h 15 min of daylight mid-month.
Plan around December
December is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (February & March).
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, October – December.
- Longest days of the year, about 15 h 15 min of daylight.
- Comfort improves from 50/100 in November to 54/100.
- December sits inside the Nov – Mar window our South Island Alps & Fiords route recommends.
What to pack for December
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 46°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes7.8 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Aoraki / Mount Cook in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Kea Point Track
Easy walk from the village to a viewing platform over the Mueller Glacier moraine lake.
Why now Highs near 56°F keep it comfortable outside.
Hooker Valley Track
10 km return walk over three swing bridges to an iceberg lake below Aoraki.
Why now Mild enough in December to enjoy at an easy pace.
Tasman Glacier View
Short climb to a lookout over the Tasman Glacier's terminal lake and moraine.
Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Museum and planetarium at The Hermitage on Hillary and Aoraki climbing history.
Glacier Explorers
Boat tours among icebergs on Tasman Glacier's terminal lake.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best Sep–May.
Nearby in December
- Queenstown in December~114 mi · highs 66°F, 4.7 in rain · 6°C (10°F) warmer by day, drier
- Milford Sound in December~126 mi · highs 62°F, 8.0 in rain · 4°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Christchurch in December~128 mi · highs 72°F, 3.0 in rain · 9°C (16°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Aoraki / Mount Cook in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Aoraki / Mount Cook?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 54/100 against a best of 68 in February & March. Expect highs of 56°F (13°C) and 7.8 in (197 mm) of rain. December is inside the Nov – Mar window our South Island Alps & Fiords route recommends.
How cold is Aoraki / Mount Cook in December?
Average highs are 56°F (13°C) and average lows 46°F (8°C), making it the 4th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Aoraki / Mount Cook in December?
Yes: about 7.8 in (197 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 78.7 in (1998 mm).
What should I pack for Aoraki / Mount Cook in December?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 46°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (7.8 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Aoraki / Mount Cook
Routes in season in December
- South Island Alps & Fiords Nov – Mar
Planning Aoraki / Mount Cook in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.