Visit Wellington - WellingtonNZ

Your guide to winter in Wellington

‘Brr’, you say? Yes, it’s winter in Wellington, so the chills are multiplying. Don’t worry, though — the city has plenty of fun to warm you up. So, grab your coat and scarf and head out the door.

A smiling server brings a couple of coffees to two friends at a patio table.

New and notable places in Wellington

Treat your taste buds at one of these new cafés, restaurants, and bars in Wellington.

Cosy restaurants for winter dining

Think roaring fireplaces, candles, warm service, and hearty soul food. Just add a glass of local Martinborough pinot noir, and you have a perfect winter’s evening.

A person in a long striped gown walks through a boutique clothing store.

Shop for local labels in Wellington

The capital is home to some of New Zealand’s best designers. Shop their wares at flagship stores dotted around the city centre. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to see the faces behind the brands in store.

Three people are taking a selfie at the Mount Victoria Lookout with a view of Wellington harbour and city centre behind them.

Top 10 Wellington must-dos

There’s so much to see and do in the capital. To get you started, here are the top 10 things to do when you visit.

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.

24 hours in Wellington

If you’ve only got a day in Wellington and want to get a feel of what the city is like – get ready for a whirlwind tour of tastes, sights, and sounds. If you don’t fit everything in, you can always come back for more.

The exterior of Te Papa Tongarewa, half glass and half concrete.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

New Zealand’s national museum reflects the country’s identity, history, and culture.

Waiter serving smiling customers at an outside table of August Eatery, with other customers and green plants in the foreground.

Using Te Reo in Wellington

Hei whakanui i te wiki o te Reo Māori, anei ētahi kīanga paku hei āwhina i a koe ki te huri haere, kia whānui ake hoki tō mōhio mō Te Whanganui a Tara.

Sketchbook Coffee

In Wellington’s vast coffee scene, a small café is mixing passion, expertise, and coffee beans into a fine art.

Two people sitting on the front steps of Pizza Pomodoro eating pizza.

Best pizza in Wellington: Get your slice of heaven

It’s the power of flour — pizza dough topped with quality ingredients (and plenty of cheese) is all you need. At many of Wellington’s best pizza places, you can watch bakers tossing dough and smell the wood-fired ovens. Whether you’re looking for a cheeky slice or hungry for a whole pizza, check out these Wellington spots.

Three people sit around a table covered in foot plates at Charley Noble. They are clinking wine glasses.

Spoilt for choice — your list of special occasion spots

Got something to celebrate? Or just feeling fancy? Wellington restaurants know how to make you feel special.

A server delivers coffee and food to a table of three outside Picke & Pie.

Pickle & Pie

A Kiwi version of a New York delicatessen brings classic Jewish tastes to an inner-city eatery.

A person in a red sweater cuddles their dog sitting on a beanbag, on the grass at Glover Park, outside Rogue & Vagabond.

Paws-itively dog friendly dining

Wondering where to eat with dogs in Wellington? These dog-friendly cafés and bars are a great place to start. If you’ve got a furry friend with a taste for a puppuccino, or you’re a dog lover hoping to spot a good boy/girl, these cafés and bars are great spots for dogs and humans alike.

A waiter hands a beer to a table of three inisde Garage Project. The wall behind them is covered in hand drawn art.

Garage Project Taproom

Established in a former petrol station garage, Garage Project is a brewery fuelled by a love of creativity.

Capital classics: Long-lasting restaurants

Wellington is fortunate to have a batch of fantastic restaurants that have stood the test of time.

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne

This pest-proof ‘urban island’ is a great way to experience what New Zealand was like before humans.

Young children pointing up at the Earth projected onto the digital planetarium and Space Place.

Te Ara Whānui ki te Rangi Space Place

Space Place is home to a digital full-dome planetarium, the historic Thomas Cooke telescope, and interactive galleries and exhibitions.

Two people look at the art on display at Te Whanganui a Tara exhibition, Wellington Museum.

What to do on a rainy day in Wellington

When it’s wet outside, the capital provides plenty of indoor activities to keep you occupied. Head to these Wellington attractions to stay warm, dry, and entertained.

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.

A family of four sits in the colourful steps leading to Wellington Chocolate Factory in Hannahs Laneway.

Keep the kids entertained these school holidays

Whatever the weather, the Wellington region has plenty to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays. Explore an ecosanctuary, take a trip to space, or learn about history at the capital’s many things to see and do for kids of all ages.

Two smiling people sit on a wooden bench petting a lemur during a Close Encounter experience at Wellington Zoo.

Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo

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

Wellington’s boutique cinemas

The capital is a film lover’s dream destination. It has a thriving movie industry, is a UNESCO City of Film, and is home to many independent cinemas. Sit back in a plush chair and view a movie in style.

The interior of Te Whanganui a Tara exhibition at the Wellington Museum with two people admiring the colourful artwork displayed.

Travel back in time with these unique Wellington experiences

The heritage and history of a place helps ground us as we look to the future. Te Whanganui a Tara has a wealth of institutions dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of the city, region, and country.

Wellington Museum

Experience the stories of Wellington and its people. From maritime history, early Māori settlement, and the city’s evolution since becoming the capital in 1865.