Month guide · Wellington · New Zealand
Wellington in January
What January is really like in Wellington: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Musuems Wellington, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is one of the best months to visit Wellington. Expect average highs of 20°C (68°F), lows of 13°C (55°F), about 7 rainy days and roughly 14.8 hours of daylight. Summer holidays bring long evenings and warm, often breezy days; calm days on the harbour are glorious.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 20°C (68°F) / 13°C (55°F)
- Rainy days
- About 7
- Daylight
- About 14.8 hours
- Sea temperature
- 16°C (61°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in January
January is the 2nd-warmest month in Wellington: days average 20°C (68°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about 13°C (55°F). Rain falls on roughly 7 of its 31 days. Compared with December (19°C (66°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 21°C (70°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:06
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 20:54
- Daylight
- About 14.8 hours
- Sea
- 16°C (61°F)
Autumn (March–May). Often calm, mild early autumn days in March, becoming cooler and wetter by May; CubaDupa in March.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Wellington Lantern Festival — Lunar New Year celebrations on the waterfront (usually January or February)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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Experience · Lambton Quay and CBD
Wellington Cable Car
Ride up and walk back down through the Botanic Garden to Thorndon or the CBD.
- 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
Nature · Karori
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne
Book a guided night tour for the best chance of seeing kiwi; daytime visitors should go early when the birds are most active.
- 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
What to pack
For highs near 20°C, lows near 13°C and 7 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Wellington?
One of the best months to visit Wellington, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are February–March and December. Compare every month.
Wellington in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Wellington?
It is one of the best months to visit Wellington. Summer holidays bring long evenings and warm, often breezy days; calm days on the harbour are glorious.
+How warm is Wellington in January?
Average highs are around 20°C (68°F) and lows around 13°C (55°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Wellington in January?
Expect rain on about 7 days of the month.