Comments on: Autumn colours now on in Central Otago South Island NZ

By: NZTravelInsider

NZTravelInsider — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 22:27:01 +0000

When I left, the colours in Queenstown were approximately 20% off from reaching peak. I think that for Queenstown itself, you’ll be fine. You should still get to see mostly yellows.

The trees on Highway 6 driving into Queenstown were not looking healthy to me, though. In addition, when I was there, it rained a lot and there were very high winds, which blew many leaves off the trees.

All in all, this autumn season was off to a slow start, so theoretically speaking it should still be displaying colour when you’re there.

By: Chris Gin

Chris Gin — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 08:41:46 +0000

I’m off to Queenstown in a week, hope there are still some nice colours left! I wanted to avoid the Arrowtown festival due to the tourists, but I guess if that’s the peak time then maybe next year I’ll have to go earlier.

By: NZTravelInsider

NZTravelInsider — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:58:58 +0000

I’m not sure which photo you’re referring to. If it’s the one of the foliage on the fruit trees, I can tell you that the fruit trees aren’t currently displaying that kind of colour. Somehow they have gone from green to brown. However, you should still be able to enjoy yellows in Arrowtown, Wanaka, and Queenstown. And don’t forget to drive up to the Clyde Lookout.

I don’t know how long the autumn colours will last – I wish I knew. In general, peak autumn colour lasts approximately 1 week, but the peak has not yet arrived, because some trees still have many green leaves. It is rare to still see good colours at the end of April, though; most trees are then either brown or don’t have leaves on them.

I’m heading back home tomorrow. Have a good trip and I hope you get to enjoy the colours!

By: Xin

Xin — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:51:40 +0000

Thanks for your advice. So am I right that at least we can see the yellow and brown colours, like the photo you took in central otago in your article’ Top 5 best place to visit to see autumn colors’ how long these colors will last?

Regards,
Xin

By: NZTravelInsider

NZTravelInsider — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 03:01:00 +0000

The autumn colours have not reached their peak yet. Today I was in Wanaka and Queenstown again, and I think it will still take a day or 4-5 before all of the yellows set in. You might miss the reds in between, though, because those have already reached their peak. 24 April is a bit late for Central Otago, but if the colours take a week from now to really set in, you’d arrive only 4 days after they hit their peak. If the peak sets in earlier, you might wind up seeing mostly yellow and brown colours, though. Nature is unpredictable, so I cannot really say when the peak will hit. If you can move the flights to 5-6 days earlier that would be great. Otherwise, I’d just stick with the current plan if I were you. And if you do miss the autumn colours this year, the positive side is that there is always next year…