Month guide · Wellington · New Zealand
Wellington in August
What August is really like in Wellington: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tony Wills, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
August is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 12°C (54°F), lows of 7°C (45°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 10.5 hours of daylight. Cool and damp but busy with food events; hotels fill during the city's main food festival.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 12°C (54°F) / 7°C (45°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 10.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 12°C (54°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in August
August is the coolest month in Wellington: days average 12°C (54°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about 7°C (45°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with July (12°C (54°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs climb to around 14°C (57°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 07:11
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 17:40
- Daylight
- About 10.5 hours
- Sea
- 12°C (54°F)
Spring (September–November). Blossom and lengthening days, but changeable and frequently very windy; World of WearableArt in late September.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 3 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in January). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in August
- Wellington On a Plate — food festival with the burger competition (usually August)
- Beervana — craft beer festival (usually August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Market · Te Aro
Harbourside Market
Every Sunday morning, stalls beside Te Papa sell fruit and vegetables at low prices alongside bread, coffee and food trucks.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Shopping
- Outdoors
Museum · Te Aro
Te Papa Tongarewa
Pick two or three floors rather than trying to see everything; the Māori and nature exhibitions are good starting points.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Rainy day
- Kids
- History
- Art
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
Experience · Miramar
Wētā Cave and Wētā Workshop tours
Book a workshop tour if you are interested in film-making; the free Wētā Cave alone takes only about 20 minutes.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours with a tour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Art
What to pack
For highs near 12°C, lows near 7°C and 12 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Wellington?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, December–March are better overall. Compare every month.
Wellington in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Wellington?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cool and damp but busy with food events; hotels fill during the city's main food festival.
+How warm is Wellington in August?
Average highs are around 12°C (54°F) and lows around 7°C (45°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Wellington in August?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.