Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Australia & New Zealand cruises in March
Early autumn brings warm, stable weather and the start of the grape harvest in Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay. Seas are usually calmer than in spring, though the Tasman can turn stormy late in the month. Temperatures in New Zealand still reach around 70°F (21°C), and crowds are lighter than in summer.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 74°F
- 12 hrs daylight
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Australia & New Zealand in March: Best time to go
Early autumn brings warm, stable weather and the start of the grape harvest in Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay. Seas are usually calmer than in spring, though the Tasman can turn stormy late in the month. Temperatures in New Zealand still reach around 70°F (21°C), and crowds are lighter than in summer.
Across Australia & New Zealand cruise ports, March brings average highs around 74°F (23°C) and lows near 63°F, with about 3.9 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- October to April; December to March best for New Zealand; some ships year-round from Sydney and Brisbane
- Average high / low
- 74°F / 63°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.9 in
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 10 to 14 nights between Sydney and Auckland; 3- to 10-night coastal cruises from Australia
What to pack: warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes.
How March compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Best time to go
- Feb: Best time to go
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Good time to go
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Shoulder season
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Good time to go
- Nov: Best time to go
- Dec: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Australia & New Zealand weather in March
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 7625 | 7624 | 7423 | 6921 | 6518 | 6116 | 6016 | 6116 | 6418 | 6720 | 7122 | 7423 |
| Low °F (°C) | 6518 | 6518 | 6317 | 6015 | 5613 | 5312 | 5111 | 5111 | 5312 | 5613 | 5915 | 6217 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.0101 | 3.897 | 3.998 | 3.179 | 3.077 | 3.179 | 3.486 | 2.871 | 2.769 | 2.872 | 2.871 | 3.588 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
March weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 76°F | 69°F | 6.3 in | 12 h |
| Auckland | 73°F | 63°F | 3.2 in | 12 h |
| Milford Sound & Fiordland | 66°F | 54°F | 6.8 in | 13 h |
| Melbourne | 76°F | 59°F | 2.1 in | 12 h |
| Hobart, Tasmania | 69°F | 54°F | 2.3 in | 13 h |
| Tauranga (for Rotorua) | 71°F | 63°F | 3.9 in | 12 h |
| Bay of Islands | 71°F | 67°F | 3.3 in | 12 h |
| Wellington | 65°F | 58°F | 3.1 in | 13 h |
| Port Chalmers (for Dunedin) | 61°F | 53°F | 1.6 in | 13 h |
| Akaroa & Lyttelton (for Christchurch) | 62°F | 56°F | 1.9 in | 13 h |
| Cairns | 86°F | 77°F | 10.8 in | 12 h |
| Brisbane | 83°F | 72°F | 5.7 in | 12 h |
| Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) | 85°F | 77°F | 6.0 in | 12 h |
| Napier | 72°F | 59°F | 3.1 in | 13 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in March
Australia & New Zealand in March: FAQs
Is March a good time to cruise Australia & New Zealand?
Yes, it's one of the best months. Early autumn brings warm, stable weather and the start of the grape harvest in Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay. Seas are usually calmer than in spring, though the Tasman can turn stormy late in the month. Temperatures in New Zealand still reach around 70°F (21°C), and crowds are lighter than in summer.
What is the weather like on a Australia & New Zealand cruise in March?
Across Australia & New Zealand cruise ports, March brings average highs around 74°F (23°C) and lows near 63°F, with about 3.9 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Australia & New Zealand cruise in March?
Pack warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Australia & New Zealand?
October to April; December to March best for New Zealand; some ships year-round from Sydney and Brisbane. The best months are usually January, February, March, November, December.
Where else can I cruise in March?
March is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.