Sight guide · Wellington · New Zealand
Visiting City Gallery Wellington
On Civic Square, the city's public art gallery shows changing exhibitions of contemporary New Zealand and international art in a converted 1940s library building.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: russellstreet, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
City Gallery Wellington is a gallery in Te Aro, Wellington. Allow 1 hour; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Gallery
- Area
- Te Aro
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- art and rainy day
- Best months
- June–August
About City Gallery Wellington
On Civic Square, the city's public art gallery shows changing exhibitions of contemporary New Zealand and international art in a converted 1940s library building. Some exhibitions are free; major shows may charge.
Tip: Cross the City to Sea Bridge from Civic Square afterwards to reach the waterfront.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Te Aro, cuba Street cafés, Courtenay Place bars and Te Papa on the waterfront.
Best time to visit City Gallery Wellington
City Gallery Wellington is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- June: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- July: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- August: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Wellington has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Wellington itinerary visits City Gallery Wellington on day 1, together with Te Papa Tongarewa, Cuba Street and Space Place at Carter Observatory.
- No. 12 of the 18 sights in our Wellington things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- One of the picks in museums in Wellington.
- One of the picks in wellington on a rainy day.
Near City Gallery Wellington
Also in Te Aro, so you can walk between them:
- Cuba Street — 1–2 hours, free
- Harbourside Market — 1 hour, low cost
- Te Papa Tongarewa — 3–4 hours, free
If you like City Gallery Wellington
- Wētā Cave and Wētā Workshop tours — Miramar, 1.5 hours with a tour
Staying near City Gallery Wellington
Stay in Te Aro ($$$) to walk here: cuba Street cafés, Courtenay Place bars and Te Papa on the waterfront. All areas to stay in Wellington.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at City Gallery Wellington?
Plan 1 hour. With Cuba Street nearby, it fits a half-day in Te Aro.
+Is City Gallery Wellington free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit City Gallery Wellington?
June–August, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Cross the City to Sea Bridge from Civic Square afterwards to reach the waterfront.
+Do I need to book City Gallery Wellington in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.