Wellington, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, is New Zealand’s capital, a compact harbor city at the southern tip of the North Island, squeezed between green hills and a deep natural harbor on Cook Strait. Houses cling to steep slopes linked by zigzag paths and a red cable car, and the waterfront promenade runs from the railway station past Te Papa, the national museum, to the sandy curve of Oriental Bay. For its size, the city packs in a lot: Parliament and the Beehive, a famously strong café, craft-beer and restaurant scene, theaters and festivals, the Weta Workshop studios behind The Lord of the Rings films, and Zealandia, a fenced valley sanctuary where rare native birds live minutes from downtown. Wellington is also the North Island terminal for the ferries to the South Island, so many travelers pass through; it is worth at least a day or two. Its one big drawback is the wind: “Windy Wellington” sits in the gap of Cook Strait, and gales are common, especially in spring. On a still, sunny day, though, few cities are prettier.
Right now in Wellington
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Wellington at a glance
- Best months: December to April for the warmest, most settled weather; February and March are often the calmest. Winter (June to August) is cool, wet and good for museums and festivals.
- Time needed: one full day for Te Papa, the cable car and the waterfront; two or three days to add Zealandia, Weta Workshop and the south coast.
- Getting there: Wellington Airport (WLG) is about 8 km (5 miles) from the center; the Interislander and Bluebridge ferries connect with Picton in about 3.5 hours.
- Costs (as of October 2026): prices in New Zealand dollars; the cable car is NZ$7 one way for adults (about US$3.90), and Te Papa charges international visitors aged 16 and over NZ$35 (about US$20).
- Before you go: entry rules, the NZeTA and visitor levy, and biosecurity are in our New Zealand travel guide.
Wellington’s areas and who each one suits
Lambton Quay and the CBD
The business district along Lambton Quay, the “Golden Mile”, runs from the railway station and Parliament to the cable car and shopping streets. Hotels here are close to the ferry shuttle, the station and the waterfront. Good for business travelers and short stays.
Te Aro, Cuba Street and Courtenay Place
The lively southern half of downtown has Cuba Street’s bohemian cafés, vintage shops and the Bucket Fountain, and Courtenay Place’s bars, restaurants and theaters. It is also next to Te Papa. The best base for food and nightlife; side streets can be noisy late on weekends.
Oriental Bay and Mount Victoria
East of the center, Oriental Bay has a sandy city beach, Art Deco apartments and harbor views, and Mount Victoria rises behind it with walking trails and a lookout. A scenic, quieter base within walking distance of Te Papa.
Thorndon and Kelburn
North and west of the center, Thorndon has 19th-century wooden houses, Old St Paul’s church and the writer Katherine Mansfield’s birthplace; Kelburn, at the top of the cable car, has the Botanic Garden and Victoria University. Peaceful bases with steep walks.
Top things to see in Wellington
Te Papa Tongarewa, the Museum of New Zealand
The national museum on the waterfront tells the story of New Zealand’s land, people and art over six floors: Māori treasures and a contemporary marae, Pacific collections, a colossal squid, earthquake and volcano galleries, and the national art collection. The Gallipoli exhibition, with giant figures created by Weta Workshop, is unforgettable. Te Papa is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except Christmas Day). Entry is free for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand; international visitors aged 16 and over pay NZ$35, and some exhibitions cost extra. Allow at least half a day.
The Wellington Cable Car and Botanic Garden
The little red cable car has climbed from Lambton Quay to Kelburn since 1902, a ride of 3 to 5 minutes with cars every 10 minutes. At the top are a lookout, a free cable car museum, the Space Place observatory and the entrance to the Wellington Botanic Garden, with its Lady Norwood Rose Garden and paths that wind back down to the city through Thorndon. Adult fares are NZ$7 one way and NZ$13 return (children 5–15 NZ$3.50 and NZ$6.50). It runs from 7:30 a.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. on weekends, until 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
The waterfront and Oriental Bay
Walk or cycle the harbor promenade from the railway station past Queens Wharf, the Wellington Museum, the Frank Kitts Park lagoon and Te Papa to Oriental Bay. Look out for sculptures, the jumping platform where locals leap into the harbor in summer, and the Writers Walk quotes set into the path.
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne
Ten minutes from downtown, a 225-hectare (556-acre) valley surrounded by a predator-proof fence has been turned into a sanctuary where some of New Zealand’s rarest birds and reptiles, including takahē, kākā, hihi (stitchbird) and tuatara, live wild. Walking tracks follow old reservoirs through regenerating forest. It is open daily (except Christmas Day) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last entry at 4 p.m.; night tours give a chance to see little spotted kiwi. A free shuttle runs from the city.
Parliament and the Beehive
New Zealand’s Parliament buildings include the Edwardian Parliament House, the Gothic Revival Parliamentary Library and the round “Beehive”, the executive wing. Free guided tours run from the visitor center, and you can watch debates from the public gallery when the House is sitting.
Mount Victoria lookout
Drive, bus or walk up through pine forest (used for scenes in The Lord of the Rings) to the 196 m (643-foot) summit for a 360-degree view over the city, harbor, airport and Cook Strait. It is especially good at sunset.
Weta Workshop and the Wētā Cave
In the suburb of Miramar, 20 minutes from the center, the special-effects company behind The Lord of the Rings, Avatar and many other films runs guided tours of its workshop, showing how props, costumes and creatures are made. Book ahead.
Other things to do in Wellington
- Cuba Street and the laneways: street art, vintage shops, buskers and cafés.
- Wellington Museum: a free museum on Queens Wharf about the city’s maritime and social history.
- The south coast: drive or cycle round to Lyall Bay’s surf beach, Island Bay, the Taputeranga marine reserve and Ōwhiro Bay, then walk to the Red Rocks fur-seal colony (seals are usually there from May to October).
- Matiu/Somes Island: a predator-free island in the harbor, reached by the East by West ferry, with old quarantine buildings and birdlife.
- Craft beer: Wellington has dozens of breweries and taprooms within walking distance.
- Performing arts: the St James and Opera House theaters and the Embassy Theatre, where The Lord of the Rings premieres were held.
Food and drink
Wellington claims more cafés and bars per head than New York, and it takes its coffee seriously; the flat white is an art form here. The city is known for craft beer, inventive casual restaurants on Cuba Street and around Courtenay Place, food trucks and the weekend Harbourside Market at the waterfront for produce and street food. Try local seafood, especially pāua (abalone) fritters and fish and chips at Oriental Bay, and wines from nearby Martinborough.
Day trips from Wellington
Martinborough and the Wairarapa
About an hour northeast over the Remutaka Hill Road, Martinborough is a small wine village known for Pinot Noir, with cellar doors you can visit by bike. Further southeast, the coastal drive to Cape Palliser passes the eerie Putangirua Pinnacles (another Lord of the Rings location), a fur-seal colony and a lighthouse.
Kāpiti Coast and Kāpiti Island
Forty-five minutes north, the Kāpiti Coast has long beaches. Licensed boats cross to Kāpiti Island, one of the country’s oldest nature reserves, for a day of birdwatching or an overnight stay with a chance to hear kiwi; visits must be booked.
Hutt Valley and Remutaka Rail Trail
The Hutt Valley has the Remutaka Cycle Trail, Kaitoke Regional Park (Rivendell in the films) and the Hutt River Trail, all reachable by train and bike.
Across Cook Strait
Take the ferry to Picton for the Marlborough Sounds and Blenheim’s wineries; you can do a long day trip by ferry and back, but it is better as the start of a South Island journey.
Nearby destinations
- Tongariro National Park242 km
Getting there and getting around
From Wellington Airport (WLG)
The Airport Express (AX) bus runs between the airport and Wellington Station via Kilbirnie, Courtenay Place, Manners Street, Willis Street and Lambton Quay, every 10 to 20 minutes, seven days a week; the trip takes about 25 to 35 minutes. Taxis and rideshares take about 15 to 20 minutes.
| Airport Express fare (October 2026) | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Cash or contactless card | NZ$12 | NZ$6 |
| Snapper card | NZ$9.23 | NZ$4.62 |
Contactless payments on the AX are a flat fare: tap once when you board. Off-peak discounts and free transfers don’t apply to the AX, and children under 5 travel free.
The Cook Strait ferries
Interislander sails from its Kaiwharawhara terminal, five minutes north of the center, and Bluebridge from a terminal opposite the railway station. In October 2026, Interislander passenger sailings left Wellington at 8:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., taking about 3.5 hours to Picton. Book ahead in summer, and expect cancellations in big storms.
Metlink buses, trains and ferries
Metlink runs Wellington’s buses, suburban trains (to the Hutt Valley, Kāpiti Coast and Wairarapa) and the harbor ferry. Tag on and off with a Snapper card or a contactless bank card on the Snapper readers. Central Wellington is small and hilly but very walkable; most sights are within 20 minutes on foot.
Driving
Driving in the center is slow, with one-way streets and limited, expensive parking. A car is useful for the Wairarapa and south coast. The North Island’s State Highway 1 starts here, heading north along the Kāpiti Coast.
When to go and how long to stay
Wellington’s climate is mild, with few frosts or very hot days, but windy and changeable. Summer (December to February) brings highs of about 20 °C (68 °F) and the most settled spells. Autumn (March to May) has some of the calmest days. Winter (June to August) is cool and wet, with highs around 12 °C (54 °F) and cold southerly storms. Spring (September to November) is the windiest season. Strong northwesterly winds blow on many days of the year, and gusts above 100 km/h (60 mph) are not unusual.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rain days (≥1 mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20 °C (69 °F) | 14 °C (57 °F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 7 |
| Feb | 21 °C (69 °F) | 14 °C (57 °F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 7 |
| Mar | 19 °C (66 °F) | 13 °C (55 °F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 9 |
| Apr | 17 °C (62 °F) | 11 °C (52 °F) | 127 mm (5.0 in) | 10 |
| May | 15 °C (58 °F) | 9 °C (49 °F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 13 |
| Jun | 12 °C (54 °F) | 7 °C (45 °F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 13 |
| Jul | 12 °C (53 °F) | 7 °C (44 °F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 13 |
| Aug | 12 °C (54 °F) | 7 °C (45 °F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 12 |
| Sep | 14 °C (56 °F) | 8 °C (47 °F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 11 |
| Oct | 15 °C (59 °F) | 9 °C (49 °F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 12 |
| Nov | 17 °C (62 °F) | 10 °C (51 °F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 10 |
| Dec | 19 °C (66 °F) | 12 °C (54 °F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 10 |
| Year | 16 °C (61 °F) | 10 °C (50 °F) | 1,319 mm (51.9 in) | 128 |
Figures are NIWA’s 1991–2020 climate normals for Wellington. The city receives about 2,090 hours of sunshine a year, more than many inland towns.
Events worth planning around
- Wellington Anniversary Day (observed Monday 25 January 2027).
- New Zealand Festival of the Arts in February and March (in its festival years).
- World of WearableArt (WOW) in September and October, a spectacular fashion and costume show.
- Visa Wellington On a Plate in August, a citywide food festival.
- Matariki (Friday 25 June 2027), with events at Te Papa and along the waterfront.
Dates change every year; check the organizers’ sites before you book.
How long to stay: 1, 2 and 3 days
- One day: Te Papa, the waterfront, the cable car and Botanic Garden, Cuba Street in the evening.
- Two days: add Zealandia, Parliament and Mount Victoria at sunset.
- Three days: add Weta Workshop and the south coast, or a day in Martinborough.
Where to stay in Wellington
- Te Aro and Courtenay Place: hotels and apartments close to Te Papa and nightlife.
- Lambton Quay and Thorndon: business hotels close to the station, Parliament and the ferry shuttle.
- Oriental Bay: apartments and boutique hotels with harbor views.
- Kelburn and Mount Victoria: B&Bs in old villas.
- Near the ferry: budget hotels and hostels near the station for early sailings.
Prices include 15% GST. Rooms can be scarce during big conferences, sports events and festivals.
Typical costs in Wellington
| Item (as of October 2026) | New Zealand dollars | About US dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Te Papa, international visitor aged 16+ | NZ$35 | US$20 |
| Cable car, adult one way / return | NZ$7 / NZ$13 | US$3.90 / US$7.30 |
| Airport Express bus, cash or contactless | NZ$12 | US$6.70 |
| Zealandia day entry, adult | about NZ$25 | about US$14 |
| Weta Workshop tour, adult | about NZ$60 | about US$34 |
| Craft beer in a taproom | about NZ$12–14 | about US$7–8 |
| Mid-range hotel room, per night | about NZ$180–300 | about US$100–170 |
Te Papa, cable car and Airport Express prices are official 2026 figures. Zealandia, Weta Workshop, beer and hotel prices are typical, not official, and should be checked. Conversions use about US$0.56 to NZ$1.
Safety in Wellington
- Wind: gusts can knock people off balance and make ferry crossings rough; take care on exposed ridges, wharves and the south coast in a gale.
- Earthquakes: Wellington sits on active faults. Learn the drill (drop, cover and hold), and if you feel a long or strong quake near the coast, move to high ground; blue lines painted on streets mark the tsunami safe zones.
- Cook Strait crossings: check sailing conditions before you go; sailings can be canceled or delayed in storms.
- Coast: the south coast has strong currents and cold water; swim at patrolled beaches.
- Driving: steep, narrow streets; drive on the left and watch for buses.
- City safety: generally safe; take normal care late at night in Courtenay Place.
- Emergencies: call 111.
Practical tips for Wellington
- Time zone: New Zealand Daylight Time (UTC+13) from 27 September 2026 to 4 April 2027.
- Dress in layers: the weather can switch from sunshine to cold wind and rain in minutes.
- Free things: the waterfront, the Botanic Garden, Parliament tours, Wellington Museum, Mount Victoria and the city art galleries.
- Ferry days: leave time between a ferry arrival and a flight; storm delays happen.
- Tipping: not expected.
What to pack for Wellington
A windproof, waterproof jacket is essential in every season, plus warm layers, comfortable shoes for steep streets and hills, sunglasses and sunscreen. In winter, add a warm coat, hat and gloves; leave the umbrella at home, as the wind will destroy it.
Wellington travel FAQ
How much does Te Papa cost?
Entry is free for New Zealanders and residents. International visitors aged 16 and over pay NZ$35; some special exhibitions cost extra. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
How do I get from Wellington Airport to the city?
The Airport Express bus runs every 10 to 20 minutes to the center and railway station in 25 to 35 minutes, for NZ$12 cash or contactless. Taxis take about 15 to 20 minutes.
How much is the Wellington Cable Car?
NZ$7 one way or NZ$13 return for adults, and NZ$3.50 or NZ$6.50 for children aged 5 to 15. Cars run every 10 minutes.
How long is the ferry from Wellington to Picton?
About 3.5 hours on the Interislander or Bluebridge. The last hour through the Marlborough Sounds is the most scenic.
Is Wellington always windy?
Not always, but it is one of the windiest cities in the world, especially in spring. Many summer and autumn days are calm and sunny.
What is Zealandia?
A fenced urban ecosanctuary 10 minutes from the center where rare native birds and tuatara live wild. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry 4 p.m.), with night tours to see kiwi.
Can I visit Weta Workshop?
Yes. Guided tours of the Weta Workshop in Miramar show how film props, costumes and creatures are made. Book ahead.
How many days do you need in Wellington?
One full day for the highlights; two or three days to add Zealandia, Weta Workshop, the south coast or Martinborough.
Is Wellington walkable?
Yes. The center is compact, and most sights are within 20 minutes on foot, though the hills are steep. The cable car saves the climb to the Botanic Garden.
When is the best time to visit Wellington?
February and March, when the weather is usually warmest and calmest; the arts festivals bring extra life in summer and late winter.
Plan your trip
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Sources · last reviewed 5 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 5 October 2026. Te Papa’s hours and international visitor ticket price come from Te Papa; cable car fares and hours from Wellington Cable Car; Airport Express fares, route and frequency from Metlink; Zealandia’s hours from Zealandia; ferry sailing times from Interislander; climate from NIWA’s 1991–2020 normals for Wellington; holiday and daylight saving dates from Employment New Zealand and Govt.nz; exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Heights, areas, travel times, event months, the cable car’s age, seal-season timing, and Zealandia, Weta Workshop, beer and hotel prices are general references and flagged for checking. Prices and schedules change, so check the official sites before you go. For entry rules, biosecurity and driving, see our New Zealand travel guide.
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Rates: ECB · Costs: World Bank ICP and price levels · Wikidata (CC0)