Season guide · Wellington · New Zealand
Wellington in spring
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Blossom and lengthening days, but changeable and frequently very windy; World of WearableArt in late September. Expect highs up to 17°C (63°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F), with about 31 rainy days across September–November.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 8°C (46°F) to 17°C (63°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 31
- Sea
- 12°C (54°F) to 14°C (57°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 14°C (57°F) | 8°C (46°F) | 11 | 11.9 h | 3/5 |
| October | 15°C (59°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 11 | 13.3 h | 3/5 |
| November | 17°C (63°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 9 | 14.5 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 15°C (59°F) against a yearly 16°C (61°F), and 31 of the year's roughly 121 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: World of WearableArt — costume and design show (usually late September to early October)
Good choices for spring
Historic site · Thorndon
Katherine Mansfield House and Garden
Read one of her Wellington stories, such as 'The Garden Party', before you go.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
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
Museum · Kelburn
Space Place at Carter Observatory
Go on a clear evening to look through the telescope as well as seeing a planetarium show.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- After dark
Experience · Miramar
Wētā Cave and Wētā Workshop tours
In the film suburb of Miramar, the Wētā Workshop's visitor centre has a free mini-museum and shop of props, models and collectibles, while paid guided tours show how the company makes creatures, weapons and costumes for films including The Lord of the Rings.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours with a tour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Art
Architecture · Lambton Quay and CBD
Parliament and the Beehive
Join a free guided tour; when the House is sitting you can also watch debates from the public gallery.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Day trips in spring
- Days Bay and Eastbourne (About 25 minutes by ferry) — Across the harbour, Days Bay has a sheltered beach, a café, kayak hire and bush walks, with the seaside village of Eastbourne a short walk along the coast.
- Picton and the Marlborough Sounds (About 3 hours 30 minutes each way by ferry) — The Cook Strait ferry sails through the forested waterways of Queen Charlotte Sound to the small port of Picton, gateway to the Marlborough Sounds and the Marlborough wine region.
What to pack
- Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Wellington?
It is a trade-off: Blossom and lengthening days, but changeable and frequently very windy; World of WearableArt in late September. The best months overall are December–March.
+What is the weather like in Wellington in spring?
Highs of up to 17°C (63°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F), with about 31 rainy days over the season.