Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Australia & New Zealand cruises in November
Jacarandas peak and the Melbourne Cup, on the first Tuesday of the month, is a public holiday in Melbourne with hats and horse racing. The full season is running, and Australia warms up quickly. In Queensland, the stinger season and tropical wet season begin, while New Zealand is still cool and fresh.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 71°F
- 14 hrs daylight
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Australia & New Zealand in November: Best time to go
Jacarandas peak and the Melbourne Cup, on the first Tuesday of the month, is a public holiday in Melbourne with hats and horse racing. The full season is running, and Australia warms up quickly. In Queensland, the stinger season and tropical wet season begin, while New Zealand is still cool and fresh.
Across Australia & New Zealand cruise ports, November brings average highs around 71°F (22°C) and lows near 59°F, with about 2.8 inches of rain over the month and roughly 14 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
- 71°F / 59°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.8 in
- Daylight
- About 14 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 November 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 November
| 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 |
November weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 74°F | 64°F | 3.4 in | 14 h |
| Auckland | 68°F | 58°F | 3.3 in | 14 h |
| Milford Sound & Fiordland | 63°F | 50°F | 6.9 in | 15 h |
| Melbourne | 71°F | 54°F | 3.1 in | 14 h |
| Hobart, Tasmania | 65°F | 50°F | 2.7 in | 15 h |
| Tauranga (for Rotorua) | 67°F | 58°F | 3.5 in | 14 h |
| Bay of Islands | 65°F | 61°F | 3.8 in | 14 h |
| Wellington | 61°F | 54°F | 3.2 in | 15 h |
| Port Chalmers (for Dunedin) | 58°F | 50°F | 2.2 in | 15 h |
| Akaroa & Lyttelton (for Christchurch) | 59°F | 52°F | 1.8 in | 15 h |
| Cairns | 92°F | 75°F | 1.6 in | 13 h |
| Brisbane | 82°F | 69°F | 3.2 in | 14 h |
| Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) | 86°F | 75°F | 1.7 in | 13 h |
| Napier | 70°F | 55°F | 3.3 in | 14 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 November
Australia & New Zealand in November: FAQs
Is November a good time to cruise Australia & New Zealand?
Yes, it's one of the best months. Jacarandas peak and the Melbourne Cup, on the first Tuesday of the month, is a public holiday in Melbourne with hats and horse racing. The full season is running, and Australia warms up quickly. In Queensland, the stinger season and tropical wet season begin, while New Zealand is still cool and fresh.
What is the weather like on a Australia & New Zealand cruise in November?
Across Australia & New Zealand cruise ports, November brings average highs around 71°F (22°C) and lows near 59°F, with about 2.8 inches of rain over the month and roughly 14 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Australia & New Zealand cruise in November?
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 November?
November is also a top month for Mexican Riviera & Baja, Galápagos Islands, Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles, Japan, Africa & the Indian Ocean.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.