South Island late Mar - early Apr - what to pack?
 

I've read plenty about bringing layers and rain gear, and I'm all set for THAT. But in general, will it be warm-cool or cool-cold? I was pretty much planning to bring mostly cool weather clothing - but might I need some warmer weather clothing as well?

I'm from the Washington DC area, and in our early fall, say early-ish October, it can be quite warm, or pretty chilly - but not cold. When we visit Fox Glacier I'll just plan to wear every layer I've got, and I figure it could be damp and cold at Milford Sound as well. But Queenstown? Christchurch?

And yes, I know there are actual STORES in NZ so I can remedy any packing misjudgments, but still - I want to give it my best shot.

Thanks all,
Alice

Weather is very unpredictable in NZ. If you're going to the South Island, you should be prepared for a few frosty nights and some cold wind.

If you bring a warm layer such as a polyfleece jacket (eg Polarfleece type) and a windproof/waterproof layer, tops and bottoms, you should be fine.

I usually travel in spring, and a set of polyfleece long underwear has been handy and doesn't take up much space. That way, I can bring light weight separates. Long sleeved shirts and thin wool sweaters are usually what I wear on top, and bottoms might be something like khaki pants.

Hi Alice -

I'm in NZ at the moment - arrived in Christchurch Friday to sunny warm weather, which followed us down to Oamaru. We had concerns that it was going to be too warm for our tastes (we like cold), but in true NZ style, the weather changed rather quickly. Spent three days in the Catlins where we had four seasons in one day - we even had hail. Lots of wind and some blowing rain. Woke to torrential rain today, but now the sun is out and it's clear.

In other words, you just never know what the weather will do in NZ.

This is our 8th trip to the SI and we always pack a fleece jacket and a waterproof layer that fits over the fleece. We also have rain pants and hats for hiking. We've visted in August, September, March, April and May.

So far this trip (five days) we've worn the fleece, the waterproof jacket, our fleece hats and we could have used gloves while hiking the other day.

Layers are the way to go.

We have yet to wear the shorts we packed, but you just never know...

I find that the shorts are mostly used when doing laundry, as they are usually the one item that hasn't been worn.

Alice9...as melnq8 says, take various clothing, as NZ is so changeable. One would think that March/april is late summer/early autumn, so the weather would be still warm, but who knows.
We visited the south island of NZ last November, took jeans, jumper, in other words, warmer clothing, and just in case I took 2 pair of shorts, and some t-shirts, thinking I would never wear them, well as it turned out, we had 30 degrees at Queenstown & Alexandra, and I got sunburnt in Christchurch. However, down at Milford/Te Anau, yes the warmer clothing came out, so take a bit of both.

Well, it sounds like I should take a little bit of everything. I don't have rain pants, but I do have a fleece and a waterproof rainjacket with a BIG hood. I should buy some of that waterproofing stuff for my hiking boots.

I'll bring long and short sleeve tshirts, a wool sweater, and some lightweight, easily to dry pants (along with my jeans).

And just to be optimistic, I'll throw in a pair of capris and a pair of sandals.

We end our trip with 5 days in Sydney, and it should surely be warmer there. And possibly a little dressier I would think.

Thanks for all the good advice,
Alice

If you're going to spend any time hiking, even a cheap pair of waterproof pants are a really good idea. The also help with the mud situation.

Okay, I'll do an LLBean run this weekend, and see if I can pick up some waterproof pants - good suggestion.

Alice

mlgb -


We're currently in the Wash and Surf in Te Anau doing just that...

Hahaha!

I did have one famous day in Dunedin where I had to change outfits three times. Cold and rainy, to hot and sunny, back to cold and windy. At least it didn't snow.