Nau mai ki Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui

Welcome to Wellington

At the centre of New Zealand you’ll find Wellington, a region with so much to offer. Nestled between green hills and a sparkling harbour, the city is full of things just waiting to be discovered. 

Discover Wellington

A Pōhutukawa tree with red flowers and green leaves planted near a wharf, where a person is walking a dog by the waterfront, the city of Wellington sits behind.

Your guide to summer in Wellington

Visit an island, scream in a stadium, or indulge in ice cream. Here's how to enjoy some of Wellington's best summer days.

A group of people in Cuba Mall, looking at the Bucket Fountain, an iconic kinetic sculpture.

Top 10 Wellington must-dos

There’s much to see and do in the capital, but there are a few special experiences that shouldn’t be missed.

A person sorting through clothing on racks at Caughley.

Boutique shopping in Wellington

Showcasing a curated range of brands from Aotearoa and beyond, boutique shopping in Wellington is a one-stop fashion shop.

A table laden with plates of food with a glass of rosé wine and water glasses.

New and notable places in Wellington

Treat your tastebuds and find a new place to eat at one of these new cafés, restaurants, and bars in Wellington.

Wide shot over the wellington harbour of the Copthorne Hotel on Oriental Pde, sailboats sit on the water in front of the colourful boat sheds and the hotel behind. Photo is taken at sunset so streaks of light from the building can be seen.

Hotels by the beach for seaside views

Find accommodation as close to the water as possible and wake up to views of one of Wellington's beautiful seaside suburbs.

Members of the Akram Khan Company on stage posing with arms outstretched. The background is black but the floor and the performers are bathed in green light.

Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts

23 Feb – 17 Mar 2024

Family taking a photo with the Wellington sign.

Best things to do for free

There are plenty of things to do while you’re in Wellington that won’t cost a cent. Have fun for free while making the most of what the capital has to offer.

A poster for Marvel: Earth's Mightiest Exhibition. On the right are 3 versions of Spiderman, the original, Gwen Stacey and Miles Morales.

Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Exhibition

14 Dec 2023 – 28 Apr 2024Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre

Have a Wellington Advent-ure

The Wellington Advent Calendar is back. Make the most of your summer with a cracker of a deal every day leading up to Christmas.

Open the doors

Eat and drink

People sitting on lawn chairs and bean bags on a grassy lawn enjoying food and drinks on a lovely summers day.

Alfresco in the city

The capital has a great selection of outside dining options. Whether it’s day or night check out these spaces for summer dining and drinks.

Capital cool: iced coffee in Wellington

Whatever way you serve it, Wellingtonians love their coffee. Here’s where to stay cool, calm, and caffeinated in the capital.

Two people sitting up at the bar at Ascot, catching up for a drink whilst being served by a bartender.

Hidden bars of Wellington (and how to find them)

Up a flight of winding stairs, down a laneway, or tucked into the back of a hotel, here’s how to find Wellington’s best-kept secret bars.

Inside Rosella restaurant and bar. The large window on the ground floor lets in plenty of light with seats lining a narrow bench along the window.

Rosella Wine Bar

With a share-style menu inspired by the Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa, this Mount Victoria charmer is a quality dinner choice.

Outside the Wellington Chocolate Factory, 2 people stand enjoying a coffee. A large black wall is to the left with the business name on it.

Wellington Chocolate Factory

Wellington Chocolate Factory has your golden ticket to the city’s sweetest treats.

2 staff members preparing food inside Margot on a wooden bar.

Venture beyond the city to these neighbourhood spots

The quality of Wellington’s cafés, restaurants, and bars is not confined to the inner city. There are many great options in surrounding neighbourhoods.

The exterior of Rita in Te Aro valley at sunset with their yellow lighting shining through the glass.

Rita

Cute, compact, and top quality, the Aro Valley restaurant is practically perfect in every way.

Three cocktails sit in line on a wooden bar. Bottles of alcohol sit on shelves on the wall behind.

Elixir

An intimate bar that dispenses quality cocktail and wine advice, and a curated menu.

Experience Wellington

Wide of the cable car driving up the tracks with the sun setting over Wellington city and harbour in the background.

Wellington Cable Car

One of the city’s most iconic experiences, Wellington Cable Car leads to some of the best views of the capital.

A tūī stands on a tree branch, surrounded by green leaves.

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne

This pest-proof ‘urban island’ is the closest thing you’ll find to experiencing what New Zealand was like before humans.

Two people stand in the middle of a bird themed exhibition in Te Papa Museum in Wellington with bird skeletons visible in the background.

Fun activities for the whole family

Whether you’re a family that likes to get outdoors or prefers art and culture, these are fun family activities that kids will love.

A young family stop along a gravel path to admire a bird flying through the lush green trees of Zealandia.

Get close to nature in Wellington

From serene walks in the bush to daredevil antics in the treetops, animal encounters to nature reserves — Wellington gets you up close and personal with nature.

A red panda at the Wellington Zoo is surrounded by green leaves.

Wellington Zoo

The first carboNZero-certified zoo in the world, Wellington Zoo puts conservation at the centre of everything it does.

Image of a long narrow gallery space inside Toi Mahara. Art lines both walls. There is an angled wood panelled ceiling above.

Toi MAHARA

A local gallery with a nationally significant collection on the Kāpiti Coast.

The exterior of the City Gallery with 5-metre tall hand statue ‘Quasi’ standing atop.

City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi

Wellington’s contemporary art gallery is a dynamic cultural presence. You’ll find exhibitions that delight and challenge.

The exterior of the New Zealand Parliament building at 1 Museum Street, Pipitea in Wellington at sunset with pink-coloured clouds in the sky above.

New Zealand Parliament Tours

Walk the corridors of power and see where New Zealand laws and policies are made.

What’s on

Looking at the back of a DJ on stage at On A Good Day, with the large crowd facing the camera and cheering.

Your Wellington summer gig guide

Festivals, concerts, and gigs galore, music is in the forecast for Wellington’s summer. Here’s how to make the most of every event in the capital.

3 young children visit the Dinosaurs of Patagonia in Perth.

Dinosaurs of Patagonia

16 Dec 2023 – 28 Apr 2024Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

A police box inside the Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder exhibition.

Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder

1 Jun – 28 Oct 2024Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre

2 Cricket players high fiving on the field.

Summer of Cricket in Wellington

Sky Stadium | Cello Basin Reserve

The five band members of Queens of the Stone Age stand with cool and serious facial expressions.

Queens of the Stone Age

1 Mar 2024TSB Arena | 7pm

Looking over the large crowd towards Park stage at home Grown 2023.

Jim Beam Homegrown

16 Mar 2024Wellington Waterfront

Lead singer and guitarist Dave Grohl on stage for the Foo Fighters in Gilford NH.

Foo Fighters

27 Jan 2024Sky Stadium | $90.90

The rap-pop artist Macklemore stares directly at the camera in a close up of his face.

Macklemore

8 May 2024TSB Arena

Get out of the city

3 people walking along a swing bridge between 2 hillsides on the Escarpment track above the Kāpiti coast.

Find your wild on Wellington’s trails

Whether you walk, bike, hike, or horse ride, discover trails for all walks of life across the region.

Sun set with blue sky looking towards Kapiti Island from Raumati Beach.

Discover the charms of the Kāpiti Coast

Sandy beaches, spectacular landscapes, and friendly people are all just a short drive from Wellington.

3 people on bikes atop the hills on the Pencarrow coast, looking out into the Wellington harbour.

Explore the Hutt Valley

Wellington’s big backyard is packed full of outdoor adventures and unmissable experiences.