Your Wellington spring guide

If you can’t see your breath when you’re outside anymore it’s likely spring is on the way. Wellington knows how to entice you out of winter hibernation with a cheery collection of events and plenty of fun to be had.

As spring takes hold, changing seasons can mean a mixed bag in the weather department. The region offers things to do both inside and out. The biggest inside event is the World of WearableArt (WOW) Show: BEYOND. The Wellington Jazz Festival offers 100 gigs to enjoy. For the sporty, the WXV 1 Tournament will light up Sky Stadium with the best women’s rugby players from around the world.

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Go big or go home

Described as Broadway meets Cirque Du Soleil, the 2023 WOW Show: BEYOND will see the TSB Arena stage come alive with incredible works of wearable art. Seen by an audience of over 60,000 annually, the show takes you on a journey to a futuristic world. Accompanied by dancers, aerialists, musicians, and fabulous light displays, the three-week run from 20 September to 8 October will take your breath away.

Keeping to an inside theme, Wellington Jazz Festival saunters into town for five days from 25 October. American multi-Grammy award-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant leads the festival. Rolling Stone magazine said the American is “regularly and rightly considered one of the greatest jazz singers of her generation.” Also, headlining is GoGo Penguin, an experimental jazz trio from the United Kingdom. Australian ethno-jazz group Zela Margossian and The Rodger Fox Big Band will collaborate with hip-hop legend King Kapisi.

Out, out and about

Heading outside and over the hill to Wairarapa, Toast Martinborough is back. The esteemed wine and food festival returns for its 30th instalment on Sunday 19 November. The full-day celebration of wine, food, and entertainment takes visitors to eight festival sites. Twelve local vineyards are taking part, along with fourteen delicious eateries and twenty-five talented musicians

Back in Wellington, On a Good Day brings Anderson Park at the Wellington Botanic Gardens to life. The summer celebration of music begins Thursday 30 November and spreads across three nights. So far internationally acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy and indie-rock band The War On Drugs have been announced, with a third act to follow.

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

Don’t kick it, pass it

Watch the world’s women’s rugby superstars in action when they take the field in Wellington over Labour Weekend. The inaugural WXV 1 tournament is an exciting addition to the global women’s rugby calendar. In 2023, six of the best teams in the world will slog it out across Wellington, Dunedin, and Auckland over three consecutive weekends. The tournament is a springboard for teams eyeing the next Rugby World Cup in 2025. The first Friday night test will kick off at Wellington’s Sky Stadium on 20 October featuring England against Australia. The next day will have a doubleheader with Canada taking on Wales, and France up against the Black Ferns.

For the birds

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is an incredible slice of wilderness just minutes from Wellington’s city centre. Spring is an ideal time to visit as there’ll be hatchlings and new birdlife aplenty in the ecosanctuary. The 225 hectares of regenerating forest has an 8.6-kilometre predator-proof fence allowing native birdlife and other species to flourish. Make sure to visit during one of the feeding times so you can catch a flurry of wings.

The brunch bunch

With warmer days beckoning it’s time to have a lazy weekend brunch. Whether it’s bacon and eggs or a vege feast you can’t go wrong with Maranui in Lyall Bay. The coffee is strong and the views of the cook strait spectacular. The food and views are similar at Seashore Cabaret on the Petone foreshore. This time the view is of Wellington Harbour. On Taranaki Street, August serves up a warm Mediterranean twist on flavour. Its Istanbul Eggs are famous.

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.

The exterior of Maranui Café, inside the Lyall Bay surf lifesaving club. The building is white with red accents and cars are parked outside.

Drink in the views at Maranui Café

Hearty breakfasts come with a side of incredible views and retro décor at this quintessential Wellington experience.

The interior of Seashor Cabaret, a diner located on The Esplanade and Sidney Street in Petone, with four vintage arcade games, two taxidermy deer heads on the wall, two large tables with eight chairs each and three wood booths with eight customers seated.

Seashore Cabaret

Eclectic and quirky, Seashore Cabaret serves up fun and fast diner food with views across the Petone foreshore.

August Eatery

From the glow of its walls to the menu, August serves up a warm Mediterranean twist on flavour and feel.

Two people walk along Wellington's waterfront on a sunny winter day. The city centre is visible in the background.

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.

Two children climbing on a half-sphere climbing structure on a playground in Cobham Court, Porirua.

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.

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

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

The patio at Golding's bar located in Te Aro in Wellington, with four tables, twelve stools and eight people sitting enjoying beer and pizza.

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.

2 people airbrushing a large gorilla mask in the SFX area of the Wētā cave workshop tour.

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.

A group of dancers in silver costumes are preforming on the street at CubaDupa.

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.

People enjoying the sun on Oriental Parade, with the sun shining and Wellington city behind them.

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.

Two people sit in tall grass and admire a scenic vista with Kapiti Island in the background.

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.

A drone shot of the runway at Wellington International Airport with a plane on the runway, a parking lot filled with cars located at Stewart Duff Drive, Rongotai with Hataitai, Evans Bay and Miramar seen in the background.

How to get to Wellington

Located in the middle of New Zealand, it’s easy to get to Wellington. By plane, train, car, or boat, here’s how you can cruise into the capital.

Two people sit in the grass with their bicycles lying nearby at Mount Victoria lookout in Wellington, New Zealand with a view of the city centre, the bay and rolling hills in the distance.

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.

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 Wellington Isite next to the Michael Fowler centre, with its easy to spot signage a vibrant iconic yellow colouring.

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.

A person wearing a yellow sweater is buying something at Schoc Chocolates, a chocolatier in Greytown, Wairarapa. The worker is handing them the bag as another shopper is browsing in the background.

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.

Two people at the Wellington Zoo on a sunny summer's day.

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.

Illustrated city map of Wellington city centre.

Wellington maps and guides

Plan your visit to and from Wellington with handy maps and guides.