Season guide · Wellington · New Zealand
Wellington in summer
December–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Szilas, Public domain
Quick answer
Warm, long days around 19–21°C, swimming at Oriental Bay and outdoor events; the most settled weather. Expect highs up to 21°C (70°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F), with about 23 rainy days across December–February. December–February are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- December–February
- Temperatures
- 12°C (54°F) to 21°C (70°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 23
- Sea
- 15°C (59°F) to 17°C (63°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in summer
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C (68°F) | 13°C (55°F) | 7 | 14.8 h | 4/5 |
| February | 21°C (70°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 7 | 13.8 h | 4/5 |
| December | 19°C (66°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 9 | 15.1 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 20°C (68°F) against a yearly 16°C (61°F), and 23 of the year's roughly 121 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in summer
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Wellington Lantern Festival — Lunar New Year celebrations on the waterfront (usually January or February)
- February: New Zealand Festival of the Arts (in some years, usually February–March)
Good choices for summer
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
Museum · Lambton Quay and CBD
Wellington Museum
Housed in the 1892 Bond Store on Queens Wharf, this museum tells the city's story through its harbour, maritime trade, Māori settlement and the 1968 Wahine ferry disaster.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
Day trips in summer
- Martinborough (About 1 hour 15 minutes by car) — Over the Remutaka Hill in the Wairarapa, the small town of Martinborough is surrounded by vineyards known for Pinot Noir, many within cycling distance of its central square.
- Cape Palliser and Putangirua Pinnacles (About 2 hours by car) — The southernmost point of the North Island has a red-and-white lighthouse reached by about 250 steps and a fur seal colony beside the road.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is summer a good time to visit Wellington?
Yes: December–February are among the best months. Warm, long days around 19–21°C, swimming at Oriental Bay and outdoor events; the most settled weather.
+What is the weather like in Wellington in summer?
Highs of up to 21°C (70°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F), with about 23 rainy days over the season.