Your guide to summer in Wellington

Long daylight hours and a city buzzing with life, there’s no shortage of ways to soak up the best of summer in the capital. A must-do is the iconic Wellington Cable Car. You’ll get a dose of history and some of the best views of the harbour and hills beyond. For more than 120 years, the Cable Car has trundled up and down the Kelburn hillside. It ferries commuters, students, and tourists between Lambton Quay, Victoria University, and the Botanic Gardens. After taking in the view, head into the Wellington Cable Car Museum. It showcases a century of engineering, innovation, and technology behind the famous transport system.

For those seeking a deeper connection with Aotearoa’s wild side, visit Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne. A true jewel in the crown of Te Whanganui a Tara's natural environment, this pest-proof ‘urban island’ is a sanctuary like no other. It was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 greatest places in the world. It invites visitors to wander lush forest tracks and encounter more than 40 native bird species. Expect to see the rare songbird hihi, prehistoric takahē, and kākāriki — the brightest bird in Aotearoa’s bush. On sunny days, keep an eye out for tuatara basking in the sun. It’s a reptile that pre-dates dinosaurs. There is also a selection of tours, including Dawn Walks (running April to September) and Twilight Tours (running October to March). You might encounter cave wētā, ruru, glowworms and the elusive little spotted kiwi.

Fair-weather days are perfect for another favourite local pastime: enjoying brunch by the beach. Several seaside cafés offer views of the water and mouthwatering brunch menus. Top picks include Maranui Café in Lyall Bay, the bright and bustling Scorch-O-Rama in Scorching Bay, and Oriental Bay favourite Beach Babylon. If you’re not hungry enough for a full meal, each spot still serves up a killer iced coffee. 

For harbourside lunch or dinner, try Dockside, perched on a wharf with a sprawling deck that juts over the water. Its retractable roof means alfresco seaside dining is an option, rain or shine. Nearby Shed 5 is one of Wellington’s premier seafood restaurants. It offers an elegant, sophisticated atmosphere, flooded with natural light. For a more casual (but no less delicious) option, head to St Johns. Claim a beanbag on the sunny lawn, and settle in. It’s the perfect spot to relax and people-watch as the city hums around you.

Looking to venture a little further afield? You can’t beat a trip to Kapiti Island. One of New Zealand’s oldest and most important nature reserves, Kapiti Island is a sanctuary for endangered species. If you prefer something a bit more central, book a spot on the East by West ferry to Mātiu/Somes Island. Sitting in the middle of Wellington Harbour, the island boasts 360-degree views and a long list of historic and ecological attractions. You’ll find native forest, WWII gun emplacements, old quarantine buildings, and a quaint lighthouse. 

Every other year, the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts takes over. Running from February through March, it showcases innovative live theatre, dance, music and multi-disciplinary performance. It attracts international talent, world premieres, and celebrates local artistic practice. Over its four decades, it’s built a reputation to challenge and delight audiences to wide acclaim.