Discover Wellington
Everyone needs to get acquainted with New Zealand's capital city. There's a very social vibe to this compact metropolis, with countless restaurants, cafés and bars offering superb dining experiences. Catch a show, visit museums and galleries, get out on the harbour, wander the waterfront or raise your heart rate on a nature walk close to the city with spectacular harbour views from the hills.
Air NZ flights to Wellington
Air New Zealand operates non-stop flights to Wellington from Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Dunedin and regional ports around New Zealand. With all our New Zealand domestic airfares you can choose seat, seat+bag, flexichange or flexirefund fare types. Flexichange gives you the flexibility to change your flight with no change fees while flexirefund is fully refundable. Find out more about our New Zealand domestic seat options.
From the top of the Cable Car you can wander through the Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā or catch a free shuttle bus to Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, Wellington's must-visit wildlife eco-sanctuary.
Where to go and what to do in Wellington
To experience the buzz of Wellington, simply hit the CBD streets or head to the waterfront promenade. Everything's within easy walking distance and there's always something new going on. You'll soon discover why Wellington is such a popular destination for a refreshing short break or weekend away.
Enjoy creative arts and culture
A walk down bohemian Cuba Street will connect you with Wellington's creative roots. You'll see art galleries, boutique shops, vintage clothing stores, one-of-a-kind cafés, street performers and the iconic Bucket Fountain. The city is also sprinkled with street art and a great collection of public art - to view 19 sculptures within a 3km area, follow the Wellington Sculpture Trust's City Walk.
Our national museum, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, is one of Wellington's top attractions and an absolute must-do for any visitor. Explore the museum's six-storeys of interactive exhibitions and immerse yourself in Māori and Pacific culture, New Zealand history, natural wonders, contemporary art and more.
Another must-see is Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War, featuring larger-than-life Wētā Workshop figurines. Discover the tragedies and triumphs of the Gallipoli campaign, as told through the eyes and words of the ordinary New Zealanders who were there, in this hugely moving (and hugely popular) exhibition.
Te Taiao Nature, Te Papa's ground-breaking nature zone, is a bold and immersive journey through the natural world of Aotearoa New Zealand, combining cutting-edge science with mātauranga Māori. The exhibition has something for all ages and features the return of some of Te Papa's favourite exhibits including a revamped Earthquake House and the famous colossal squid.
Continue your Wētā experience with a Wētā Workshop Tour, where you'll go behind-the-scenes to learn the secrets of movies like The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, Avatar and many more. You'll get to see artists at work, as well as miniatures, props, armour, weapons, vehicles, creatures, and models.
Live performances are a big part of the Wellington lifestyle and there are always several great shows on offer. When you're planning a trip to Wellington, check ahead on WellingtonNZ.com to see what will be on when you visit and book early to avoid missing out.
Discover delicious flavours
The creativity of Wellington continues in its innovative restaurant kitchens and craft beer brew bars. Eating out in Wellington is pure pleasure. From award-winning breakfast cafés and harbour-side seafood lunches to fine dining establishments and food markets, you're never far from a delectable eating experience. For inside tips, sign up for a food tour of Wellington.
If you like coffee, you'll love visiting Wellington. There are around 20 coffee roasteries in the Wellington region and a café on almost every corner. Craft beer is another celebrated beverage. Keep an eye out for craft beer bars, breweries and restaurants that specialise in matching each dish to the perfect brew.
Get active in nature
Wellington's tree-lined hills provide great opportunities to raise your heart rate and enjoy spectacular views. A local favourite with walkers, runners and mountain bikers is the Mount Victoria Lookout Walkway - it takes about one and a half hours to complete if you're walking.
From the top of the Wellington Cable Car, you can wander through Wellington's 25-hectare Botanic Garden or catch a free shuttle bus to Zealandia, Wellington's must-visit wildlife sanctuary. This world-first fully fenced, eco-sanctuary covers a 225-hectare forested valley and reservoir lake. It's home to more than 40 native bird species, as well as native reptiles and countless native plants. To get the most from your visit, book a guided tour. They operate during the day, at twilight and at night.
Experiencing the city from the water is another great way to approach Wellington sightseeing. You can hire kayaks or paddle boards from the wharf area or take a guided kayak tour. If you'd rather keep your feet dry, pack a picnic and catch a ferry to Matiu/Somes Island in the middle of the harbour. The island is a predator-free scientific reserve with a 40-minute loop track, 360° harbour and city views, historic quarantine buildings and a vintage lighthouse.
Catch one of Wellington's best events
Wellington's vibrant social life includes an events calendar that has something for everyone. Here are just a few fantastic excuses to visit New Zealand's creative capital:
- Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, February - March, every two years - experience extraordinary arts experiences from around the globe
- Jim Beam Homegrown, mid-March - an epic festival of homegrown New Zealand music held across multiple stages on Wellington's stunning waterfront
- CubaDupa, late March - this annual street festival transforms Cuba Street, Wellington's most colourful street, into an immersive interactive playground of music, dance, circus, theatre and art.
- Beervana, mid-August - this massive celebration of craft brewing brings brewers from all over New Zealand and the world together to let you taste their ales, pilsners, stouts and lagers.
- Visa Wellington on a Plate , August - the ultimate excuse for a food-oriented winter break, New Zealand's biggest culinary festival celebrates the best talent and produce the Wellington region has to offer.
- World of WearableArt® (WOW) Show , September/October - a world-class theatrical experience combining works of wearable art with theatre, art, fashion, music and performance.
- Toast Martinborough, mid-November - raise a glass to Martinborough's world renowned wines with a day of celebrating amongst the vines.
- Tākina Exhibitions – Wellington's new convention and exhibition centre hosts an exciting programme of blockbuster pop-culture exhibitions throughout the year.
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Keep exploring Wellington
Essential information
Best time to visit Wellington
You can feel confident about visiting Wellington in any season. Summer is usually quieter in the CBD, because business travellers are fewer, and in spring the city pulses with excitement as the World of Wearable Art Show takes to the stage at TSB Arena. Average highs range from 20°C in summer to around 12°C in winter. The city experiences a lot of glorious weather but can be windy, so pack a rain jacket and a robust umbrella.
How much will it cost?
This will depend on your tastes and what you want to do. As a rough guide, not including air travel and hotels, you should allow about NZD $100 to $150 a day per person for food and entertainment.
Visas
If you're visiting Wellington from overseas you might need a visa to holiday in New Zealand, depending on where you're from and how long you're staying. Please check you meet all entry and transit requirements for your travel.
| Flight route | Flight time* | Stops** | Days | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland (AKL) to Wellington (WLG) | 1h 5m | Non-stop | Daily | Find flights |
| Christchurch (CHC) to Wellington (WLG) | 50m | Non-stop | Daily | Find flights |
| Queenstown (ZQN) to Wellington (WLG) | 1h 20m | Non-stop | Daily | Find flights |
| Dunedin (DUD) to Wellington (WLG) | 1h 10m | Non-stop | Daily | Find flights |
Cheap flights to Wellington
Auckland (AKL) to Wellington (WLG)
Christchurch (CHC) to Wellington (WLG)
Queenstown (ZQN) to Wellington (WLG)
Dunedin (DUD) to Wellington (WLG)
*Flight times are based on the fastest route available.
**Indirect flights may also be available for this route.
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