The Tongariro Crossing in New Zealand
It is called the most beautiful walk in New Zealand, the Tongariro Crossing. The official hiking season starts late October until end of April.
December in Invercargill sees daytime temperatures around 18°C (64°F) and lows of 10°C (50°F) at night. With around 120 mm (4.7 in) of rainfall expected, it's worth packing a rain jacket.
So this is a great month to visit if you prefer dry days with pleasant temperatures.
Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Invercargill - and find the best time to visit.
48-year average (1976-2025)
Based on our historical records, temperatures in Invercargill typically stay consistent throughout December, with daily highs averaging around 18°C (64°F). Nights are cool, with lows around 9°C (48°F).
Browse day-by-day weather records for Invercargill spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.
The extremes listed below come from historical weather data collected in Invercargill from 1997 through 2025.
Find out more about the weather in New Zealand and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of New Zealand in December →
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).
Pleasant temperatures in December mean you can pack light but flexibel pieces. Think cotton t-shirts, comfortable walking shorts, and one warmer layer for evenings. A light sweater or denim jacket works well. Prepare for significant rainfall with proper waterproof clothing and shoes. The water temperature sits at about 12°C (54°F), which is too chilly for most people to enjoy swimming. Leave the swimsuit at home unless you love cold water. And with plenty of sunshine hours, don’t forget sunglasses, sunscreen, and maybe a sun hat.
We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.
Temperature Rainfall Sunshine Humidity Wind Speed Water Temp
See the full Invercargill climate overview or explore weather in New Zealand.
Where to go in December - average daytime high across popular destinations.
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The Tongariro Crossing in New Zealand
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