Your guide to winter in Wellington
It’s cold? Well, the winter season in Wellington is hot. Rug up warm and head out the door to enjoy some huge music, sports, and food events.
Unable to render element
By plane
Wellington International Airport has direct connectivity to the rest of New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji, across various airlines. Domestic air services are regular and fast. Flights leave for Auckland and Christchurch international airports hourly, and travel time is usually an hour. Queenstown is an hour and a half away, with multiple flights daily. Flights to Rotorua take just over an hour.
By ferry or cruise
The capital is a coastal gateway between the North and South Islands. There are regular ferry services across the Cook Strait to and from Picton. The three-and-a-half-hour journey takes you through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds. You can sail with either Interislander or Bluebridge. Taking a vehicle is easy, just drive on and off.
Cruise ships often stop in the city. The port hosts over 120 ships every year and is a ten-minute drive from the central city.
By car
If you are driving, Wellington is connected to two of the country’s major state highways, SH1 and SH2. The drive time from Auckland is approximately nine and a half hours, and Rotorua is five and a half hours.
Wellington is also part of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. Keep an eye out for the brown road signs displaying grapes as you travel along the scenic driving route.
Unable to render element
By train
The train station is in the centre of the city.
Great Journeys of New Zealand have a regular Northern Explorer train service, which connects Auckland and Wellington. The scenic 648km journey takes one day and includes multiple stops along the way.
If you’re heading to the South Island via ferry, jump on a Coastal Pacific train from Picton to Christchurch.
Once you’re here
You’ve arrived! Find out how you can get around once you’re in the capital.
Looking for more?
Twelve hours in Porirua
From dawn until dusk Porirua has you covered. Spending a day in the city will give you your fill of beautiful walking tracks, outdoor activities, and great food.
You can’t beat Wellington on a good weekend
Come late September, you’ll want to be in the capital for an ultimate weekend of fun. With world-class sports, top-quality eats, a theatrical spectacular, and more shopping than you can fit in your wardrobe, here’s how you can make the most of three days
A long weekend in Wellington
How much hospitality, arts, culture, nature, and wildlife can you fit into three days? Come to Wellington to find out.
Welly-would: a film buff’s guide to Wellington
Lights, camera, and action. With special effect tours, huge production studios, and boutique cinemas, get a taste of movie magic in Wellington.
Your guide to autumn in Wellington
The autumn leaves are numerous and so are the gigs, sports events, and festivals in Wellington. Head out into the crisp air and enjoy the buzz.
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.
24 Hours in the Kāpiti Coast
If you only have a day to spend in the Kāpiti Coast then you’ll need to get cracking. The sunny coast has a great selection of things to see, do, and eat.
Your Wellington spring guide
In spring, Wellington bounces to life with nature in bloom, fun activities, and plenty of unforgettable events.
48 hours in Wellington
It’s compact and walkable, has a calendar full of events, and is stacked with great bars and restaurants. Wellington is the perfect weekend getaway.
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.
Wellington isite Visitor Information Centre
The Wellington isite Visitor Information Centre is your first stop for travel advice and bookings for tours, activities, and accommodation.
What to do in Wairarapa
Wairarapa has plenty of reasons to visit. Make it a day trip — there are some great champions of food, art, and experiences on offer around the region.
What to do around Berhampore
The hills of Berhampore overlook the suburbs of Island Bay and Newtown. There’s plenty to do in these southern suburbs, so head out to one of these neighbouring places.
Wellington maps and guides
Plan your visit to and from Wellington with handy maps and guides.