By air
Wellington (WLG), ~8 km
Australia & New Zealand · New Zealand
Wellington, New Zealand
A harbour capital of museums and coffee
Getting there
Best time to visit
December to March — summer
Don't miss
Te Papa
The Wellington Cable Car
The Mount Victoria lookout
The Beehive
Things to do
Te Papa museum
The cable car
Weta Workshop
Cuba Street
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: russellstreet · CC BY-SA 2.0
What to pack
A windproof jacket
A quieter corner
Zealandia, a fenced sanctuary of native birds inside the city
Questions travellers ask
When should I visit Wellington, and what should I pack?
December to March, in summer. Pack a windproof jacket.
What are Wellington's highlights?
Te Papa museum, a ride on the Wellington Cable Car, the Mount Victoria lookout, the Beehive and Weta Workshop.
Where can I see native birds in Wellington?
At Zealandia, a fenced sanctuary of native birds inside the city.
What's the food and drink scene like in Wellington?
Think coffee culture, craft beer and Cuba Street's eateries.
About Wellington
- Coastal
- Hills
Where it is
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, at the south-western tip of the North Island on Cook Strait, wrapped around a deep natural harbour, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, and climbing steep green hills.
History
Māori tradition says the explorer Kupe was the first to reach the harbour, and Te Āti Awa and other iwi were living here when New Zealand Company settlers arrived in 1840. Wellington replaced Auckland as the capital in 1865 for its central position, and much of its waterfront stands on land raised by the earthquake of 1855 and on later reclamation.
People
Wellingtonians include public servants, students and a large creative community, and English and te reo Māori are both widely used. The city is known for its coffee, craft beer and film industry, with Weta Workshop and film studios in the suburb of Miramar.
Known for
- Te Papa, the national museum
- The Wellington Cable Car
- The Beehive and Parliament
- Cuba Street's cafés and bars
- The Zealandia wildlife sanctuary
Did you know?
Wellington is the southernmost capital city of any sovereign state in the world.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.