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Destinations / New Zealand

Wellington

Windy, creative capital on a harbor

artfoodnaturebudget
Plan your trip to WellingtonSee the top 10
215,000Population
440,000Metro area
English, MaoriLanguage
NZDCurrency
3 daysIdeal stay
$170-260Typical day

Wellington is New Zealand's compact capital, wrapped around a harbor and hills. Te Papa museum, the cable car and a strong coffee and craft beer scene are highlights. Film fans visit Weta Workshop. It is famously windy.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. The national museum, covering nature, Maori culture and history. Entry is free except for special exhibits.

    3 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead
    Official siteSee on the map

  2. A walkway along the harbor with sculptures, cafes and swimming spots. It links the main sights.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free to walk.

    Tip. Stroll at sunset.
    See on the map

  3. A red funicular from 1902 climbing from Lambton Quay to Kelburn. The top has views and the Botanic Garden.

    1 hourTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.

    Tip. Cars run every 10 minutes; ride up and walk down.
    Official siteSee on the map

  4. A lookout on Mount Victoria above the city with 360 degree views over the harbor and airport. You can walk up through the town belt or drive.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free to visit.

    Tip. Walk up from Oriental Bay or drive.
    See on the map

  5. An urban eco sanctuary with a predator proof fence, home to rare native birds. Guided tours run at night.

    2 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.

    Tip. Book night tours early.
    Official siteSee on the map

  6. The workshop behind props and effects for many famous films. Tours show behind the scenes.

    2 hoursTime needed
    recommendedBook ahead

    Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.

    Tip. Book a tour in advance.
    Official siteSee on the map

  7. A hillside garden with native forest, exotic plants and a rose garden. It connects with the top station of the Wellington Cable Car.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead
    See on the map

  8. New Zealand's Parliament, including the round Beehive building. Free tours run daily.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead
    See on the map

  9. A bohemian street of cafes, bars and vintage shops, with the quirky Bucket Fountain. It is lively at night.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free to walk.

    Tip. Visit on a weekend for buskers and markets.
    See on the map

  10. A small wine village known for pinot noir, about 1.5 hours away. Cycling between vineyards is popular.

    Full dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Car about 1h15.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Short on time?

Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Wellington in three days

Day one city, day two Zealandia and Weta, day three Martinborough.

  1. Te Papa Tongarewa3 hours · Free
  2. Wellington Waterfront1 hour · Free
  3. Wellington Cable Car1 hour
  4. Mount Victoria Lookout1 hour · Free
  5. Zealandia2 hours
  6. Weta Workshop2 hours
  7. Wellington Botanic Garden1.5 hours · Free
  8. Parliament (Beehive)1 hour · Free
  9. Cuba Street2 hours · Free
  10. MartinboroughFull day · Free
Beyond the city

Day trips

Kapiti Island

Bird sanctuary.

37 mi · Car and boat, about 1.5 hours

Cape Palliser

Seal colony.

68 mi · Car, about 2 hours

Martinborough

A small wine town with walkable cellar doors.

50 mi · Drive over the Remutaka Hill, about 1.5 hours

Kaitoke Regional Park

River and forest, used as a film location.

28 mi · Drive, about 50 minutes

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: December to March. Warmest months.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.9JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

66°F
Typical daily high
Average62°F
Rain2.0 in
About6 rainy days
Sun strength6.7 kWh/m²

Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Sep

World of WearableArt

September to October (17 September to 4 October in 2026)

Wearable art competition staged as a theatrical show.

Mar

CubaDupa

March

A two day street party on Cuba Street.

Aug

Visa Wellington on a Plate

August

The country's biggest food festival.

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Know before you go

At a glance

5/5
Safety

New Zealand is at US State Department Level 1 (exercise normal precautions); crime is low; earthquakes are a natural risk.

5/5
Walkability

Compact and walkable.

4/5
Public transport

Buses, trains and cable car.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
123456

1. Te Aro

$$$

Best for: first-timers

Central.

2. Waterfront

$$$

Best for: couples

Harbor views.

3. Thorndon

$$

Best for: couples

Historic.

4. Wellington CBD

$$$

Best for: first-timers, business

Close to the waterfront and museums.

5. Cuba Street and Te Aro

$$

Best for: food, nightlife

Cafes, bars and shops.

6. Oriental Bay

$$$

Best for: couples, quiet stays

Seaside with walking paths.

Getting there and around

Main airportWellington Airport (WLG), 5 mi from the center
To the centerAirport Express bus to the center in about 25 to 35 minutes, or taxi 15 to 20 minutes.
Around townWalk and use buses.
Ride appsUber, Ola
Taste it

What to eat

Flat white

Coffee.

Pavlova

Meringue dessert.

Craft beer

Many breweries.

Seafood

Fresh fish and green lipped mussels.

Good to know

PlugsType I, 230 V
Tap waterSafe to drink
TippingTipping is not expected.
PaymentsCards and tap payments are standard.
EtiquetteRespect Maori customs at marae and sacred sites.
  • Wind can delay flights.
  • Interislander ferries cross to the South Island.
  • Wellington is windy, so pack a windproof jacket.
  • Te Papa is free for New Zealanders but visitors pay for entry.
  • Cable car runs late on weekends.
  • Book Zealandia night tours ahead.

A short history

Maori tradition says the harbor, Te Whanganui a Tara, was found by the explorer Kupe, and iwi such as Te Atiawa settled around it. The New Zealand Company brought British settlers in 1840. Wellington replaced Auckland as capital in 1865 because it was more central. A large earthquake in 1855 raised the shoreline, and the land later became part of the downtown. Today it is the seat of government and a center of the film and arts industries.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Wellington