Wellington · New Zealand

Wellington

The capital of New Zealand, set between a natural harbour and hills, with the national museum Te Papa, the Kelburn cable car, the Zealandia bird sanctuary and the ferries to the South Island.

Lower North Island

In the photo: Oriental Bay

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Wellington (Te Whanganui-a-Tara, in Māori) sits at the southern tip of the North Island, on the shores of a natural harbour ringed by hills, facing the Cook Strait that separates the two main islands. It has been the capital since 1865, is home to Parliament and government ministries, and has about 440,000 residents in the urban area.

The centre is compact and walkable, between the waterfront and the hills where wooden houses climb steep streets. Along the waterfront are the national museum Te Papa, wharves, plazas and the city beach Oriental Bay. The red cable car runs from Lambton Quay, the main shopping street, up to Kelburn and the Botanic Garden, and Mount Victoria offers the most popular viewpoint over the city.

The city is known for its wind, cafés, craft beer and cultural scene, with theatres, festivals and the film industry that created the effects for The Lord of the Rings. In the valley beside the centre, the Zealandia sanctuary protects rare native birds behind a predator-proof fence.

Ferries depart the harbour across the Cook Strait to Picton on the South Island in about 3.5 hours, and trains and roads north link Wellington to Auckland and the island’s central region.

This destination brings together 1 city: Wellington.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Wellington is

Boundaries: Stats NZ / geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Wellington

✈ Aeroporto de Wellington (WLG), in Rongotai · 8 km to Wellington

Wellington Airport (WLG), about 8 km from the city centre, handles domestic flights and services from Australia and Pacific islands. From Auckland it’s roughly 640 km by car, or you can take the scenic train in a day trip. From Picton on the South Island you arrive by ferry across the Cook Strait.

Wellington · Wellington Capital

Wellington

Wellington, the capital of New Zealand and of the region of the same name, sits in a natural harbour surrounded by hills on the southern North Island. Along the waterfront to Oriental Bay are the national museum Te Papa and the Museum of Wellington. The cable car runs from Lambton Quay to the Botanic Garden, and Mount Victoria is the city viewpoint. Parliament, with the Beehive, offers guided tours, and the Zealandia sanctuary protects native birds.

The local experience

Things to do in Wellington

Wellington · Wellington · Museum

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

The national museum of New Zealand, on Wellington’s waterfront, with galleries about nature, Māori culture, the country’s history and art, the colossal squid, and the Gallipoli exhibition.

Wellington · Wellington · Cable car and garden

Wellington Cable Car and Botanic Garden

The red cable car that has run since 1902 from Lambton Quay up to Kelburn, with a viewpoint over the city, a cable car museum, an observatory and the Botanic Garden, which you can walk down to return to the center.

Wellington · Wellington · Viewpoint

Mount Victoria

A 196‑meter hill east of central Wellington, with a 360‑degree lookout over the harbor, the city and the airport, and forest trails used as a filming location for The Lord of the Rings.

Wellington · Wellington · Wildlife sanctuary

Zealandia (Karori Sanctuary)

A bird and wildlife sanctuary in a Wellington valley protected by a predator‑proof fence, home to rare birds like the takahē and kākā, tuatara, and night walks to see kiwi and glow‑worms.

See 2 more places in Wellington

Wellington · Wellington · Public building

Beehive (New Zealand Parliament)

The parliamentary buildings in Wellington: the Beehive, the government wing shaped like a beehive, the Parliament House and the Gothic-style Library, with daily guided tours.

Wellington · Wellington · Waterfront

Wellington Waterfront and Oriental Bay

Seafront promenade along Wellington Harbour, from the Queens Wharf pier to the urban beach at Oriental Bay, with plazas, sculptures, the Wellington Museum and places to swim in summer.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From December to March, with warmer, longer days, typically between 18 °C and 22 °C as a maximum. Wind is strong year-round, and the weather changes quickly. Winter, from June to August, is cold and rainy, but museums and the cultural life generally carry on as usual.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days cover Te Papa, the waterfront, the cable car with the Botanic Garden, Mount Victoria and Parliament. With three days you can add Zealandia, including a night visit, and more time for cafés and neighbourhoods.

Which city to stay in

The centre, between Lambton Quay, the waterfront and Courtenay Place, is the most practical base with everything within walking distance. Te Aro, around Cuba Street, has restaurants, bars and more affordable accommodation. Thorndon, close to Parliament, is a quiet historic neighbourhood with wooden houses.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Wellington

How many days should you stay in Wellington?

Two days let you see Te Papa, the waterfront, the cable car and Mount Victoria. With three, include Zealandia and an extra night in the centre.

Do you need a car in Wellington?

No. The centre is walkable, and buses and the cable car reach neighbourhoods and viewpoints. A car is only necessary for areas outside the city.

Is Wellington very windy?

Yes. The city sits on the Cook Strait and is one of the windiest capitals in the world. Bring a windbreaker in any season.

How do you get from Wellington to the South Island?

By ferry to Picton across the Cook Strait in about 3.5 hours, or by plane to South Island cities.

How do you get from Auckland to Wellington?

By plane, about one hour; by car, around 8 hours; or on the scenic train as a full-day journey.

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Wellington

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.