Travel guide · New Zealand
Wellington travel guide
A compact, windy harbour capital of museums, coffee and craft beer
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: russellstreet, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
New Zealand's capital wraps around a deep harbour at the southern tip of the North Island, with a compact, walkable centre squeezed between the waterfront and steep green hills. The national museum, Te Papa, sits on the harbour, a red cable car climbs from Lambton Quay to the Botanic Garden, and Zealandia's fenced valley shelters native birds a few minutes from downtown. Cuba Street and Courtenay Place hold much of the café, bar and craft-beer scene, the Wētā Workshop in Miramar celebrates the city's film industry, and the Interislander ferry crosses to the South Island. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are December–March.
Key facts
- Country
- New Zealand
- Best time to visit
- December–March
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- WLG
- Mid-range daily budget
- $180–$320 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Te Papa, Wellington Cable Car, Café culture and Craft beer
Why visit Wellington
- Te Papa, the national museum, is free to enter and covers Māori and Pacific culture, natural history and New Zealand art on the waterfront.
- Zealandia, a fenced ecosanctuary about 10 minutes from the centre, gives close views of rare native birds such as takahē and kākā.
- The central city is small enough to walk, from Lambton Quay and the Beehive to Cuba Street and Oriental Bay.
- Wellington has one of the densest concentrations of cafés, craft breweries and cocktail bars in New Zealand.
- Martinborough's vineyards, Cape Palliser's seal colony and the ferry to the Marlborough Sounds are all within reach.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Museum · Te Aro
Te Papa Tongarewa
The Museum of New Zealand, opened in 1998 on the waterfront, covers Māori and Pacific culture, the country's history, natural history, earthquakes and New Zealand art across six floors.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Rainy day
- Kids
- History
- Art
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Experience · Lambton Quay and CBD
Wellington Cable Car
Running since 1902, the red funicular climbs about 120 metres from Lambton Quay to Kelburn in roughly five minutes, ending at a lookout over the city and harbour.
- Time needed
- 1 hour with the lookout
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- History
Garden · Kelburn
Wellington Botanic Garden
Spread over a hillside between Kelburn and Thorndon, the garden combines native forest, exotic trees, playgrounds and the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, which blooms from about November to April.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
Museum · Kelburn
Space Place at Carter Observatory
Next to the top of the Cable Car in the Botanic Garden, this small observatory and planetarium has full-dome shows on the southern sky, interactive exhibits and a historic telescope used for evening viewing sessions when the sky is clear.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- After dark
Nature · Karori
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne
A predator-proof fence encloses a 225-hectare forested valley around old reservoirs, where native species including takahē, kākā, tīeke (saddleback), hihi and tuatara live largely free from introduced predators.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
- After dark
Viewpoint · Mount Victoria
Mount Victoria Lookout
The summit lookout, about 196 metres above the harbour, gives a 360-degree view over the city, harbour, airport and Cook Strait.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Couples
Where to stay
Te Aro is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, food lovers and solo travellers
Te Aro
Cuba Street cafés, Courtenay Place bars and Te Papa on the waterfront
$$$ · Best for first-timers, families and shopping
Lambton Quay and CBD
The main shopping street, government buildings and the cable car terminal
$$$ · Best for quiet stays, couples and culture
Thorndon
Wooden villas, embassies and Wellington's oldest streets
$$$$ · Best for couples, beach, families and luxury
Oriental Bay
Art deco apartments and a city beach on the harbour
What to eat
- Flat white — Wellington claims a share in the invention of the flat white, espresso with velvety steamed milk and thin microfoam, and takes coffee seriously, with many roasters and independent cafés.
- Craft beer — The city has a dense concentration of small breweries and taprooms making hazy IPAs, sours and experimental beers; Garage Project in the Aro Valley is the best known.
- Martinborough Pinot Noir — The Wairarapa town of Martinborough, about an hour over the hill, is known for structured, cool-climate Pinot Noir and aromatic whites.
- Fish and chips — Battered fish such as tarakihi, gurnard or blue cod with thick-cut chips, wrapped in paper and eaten by the sea.
- Pāua fritter — Minced pāua (New Zealand abalone) bound with egg and fried into a dark, rich fritter, often served in a bun or with salad.
- Green-lipped mussels — Large New Zealand mussels steamed with white wine, garlic and herbs or served in a creamy chowder.
When to go
The best time to visit Wellington is December to March, when days are warmest, the evenings are long and calm days on the harbour are most likely. Spring (September to November) is often the windiest season. Winter is cool and wet but mild, with a busy August food festival and indoor sights such as Te Papa that make the city enjoyable in any weather.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | December–February | Warm, long days around 19–21°C, swimming at Oriental Bay and outdoor events; the most settled weather. |
| Autumn | March–May | Often calm, mild early autumn days in March, becoming cooler and wetter by May; CubaDupa in March. |
| Winter | June–August | Cool and wet with occasional clear, still days; seals on the south coast and the August food festival. |
| Spring | September–November | Blossom and lengthening days, but changeable and frequently very windy; World of WearableArt in late September. |
Getting there and around
Wellington Airport is in Rongotai, about 8 km south-east of the centre. The Metlink Airport Express bus runs to the railway station via Courtenay Place and Lambton Quay in about 20–30 minutes, and a taxi takes about 15–20 minutes.
Central Wellington is compact and walkable: Parliament to Te Papa is about 20 minutes along the waterfront. Metlink buses, suburban trains, the Cable Car and harbour ferries cover the rest, and the airport is only about 8 km from the centre.
Plan your days
Two days covers Te Papa, the cable car and Botanic Garden, the waterfront, Cuba Street and Mount Victoria. A third day adds Zealandia and the Wētā Cave; with four or five days include Martinborough, Cape Palliser or Matiu/Somes Island.
Practical information
- Currency
- NZD
- Language
- English and Māori
- Plugs
- Type I sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink and free in cafés and restaurants.
- Emergency number
- 111 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected; prices include tax and service.
Wellington is generally relaxed for visitors. Strong winds can make walking on exposed streets difficult and disrupt ferries and flights; New Zealand is seismically active, so learn the 'Drop, Cover, Hold' drill, and use strong sunscreen even on cool days.
Flights to Wellington
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Wellington?
Two days covers Te Papa, the cable car and Botanic Garden, the waterfront, Cuba Street and Mount Victoria. A third day adds Zealandia and the Wētā Cave; with four or five days include Martinborough, Cape Palliser or Matiu/Somes Island. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Wellington?
The best time to visit Wellington is December to March, when days are warmest, the evenings are long and calm days on the harbour are most likely. Spring (September to November) is often the windiest season. Winter is cool and wet but mild, with a busy August food festival and indoor sights such as Te Papa that make the city enjoyable in any weather.
+What is Wellington known for?
Te Papa, Wellington Cable Car, Café culture, Craft beer, Wind, Film industry and Wētā Workshop and Parliament and the Beehive. Te Papa, the national museum, is free to enter and covers Māori and Pacific culture, natural history and New Zealand art on the waterfront.
+Is Wellington expensive?
Wellington is expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $180–$320 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Wellington?
No for the city, where walking, buses and the cable car work well. A car helps for Martinborough, Cape Palliser and the Kāpiti Coast, or for continuing to the South Island on the car ferry.