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.
Nau mai ki Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui
At the centre of New Zealand you’ll find Wellington, a region with so much to offer. Nestled between green hills and a sparkling harbour, the city is full of things just waiting to be discovered.
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.
Treat your taste buds at one of these new cafés, restaurants, and bars in Wellington.
Wellington is a great place to treat yourself. Throughout the region, these hotels and hosted stays offer beautiful and immersive experiences that are distinctly Wellington.
If you want to have a fun day or night out in Wellington there are plenty of options in the city. Why not think outside the box and try something different.
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.
You bring the friends and the wine, and these restaurants will take care of the rest. Wellington has a wide variety of BYO spots. Head out, enjoy some great food, and sip on your favourite drop at the same time.
Whether you’re a family that likes to get outdoors or prefers art and culture, there are plenty of things to do in Wellington. Here are eight things that kids and adults alike will love.
Here’s the scoop on some family-friendly spots within Wellington’s vibrant foodie scene. From cosy cafés to beach breweries, you and your children can enjoy a tasty meal together.
The largest culinary festival in the southern hemisphere is back, and taking over the city for all of August. How many burgers, events, and pop-up restaurants can you fit into one month? You’re about to find out, when the city’s favourite foodie fest returns.
1 to 31 August
Order upThink 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 dark, art-filled corridor off Ghuznee Street leads to a stylish bar you can relax in.
Housed in a prominent heritage building, Salty Pidgin provides bistro food and a local gathering point in Brooklyn Village.
Experience yum cha and community at this award-winning family-run restaurant.
Level up your breakfast at this hidden gem dedicated to the humble bowl of porridge.
Sometimes all it takes to change your day is a really good sandwich. Luckily, Wellington has you covered with a range of dedicated shops and specialist bakeries providing the goods. Focaccia, sourdough, baguettes and buns, whatever way you like it, here’s where to get two slices and fillings galore.
The capital takes its coffee seriously. Whether you’re after a creamy flat white, a jet-fuelled long black, or something in between, Wellington has plenty of places to keep you caffeinated. These standout roasters and award-winning baristas are here to kick-start your morning.
The quality of Wellington’s cafés, restaurants, and bars is not confined to the inner city. There’s a raft of great options hidden away in neighbourhoods and suburbs beyond the city lights.
Visit the home of movie-making magic in the heart of Wellywood, and see behind the scenes of world-renowned films and television.
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 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.
New Zealand’s national museum reflects the country’s identity, history, and culture.
The first carboNZero-certified zoo in the world, Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo puts conservation at the centre of everything it does.
Delve below ground and find a bustling world bursting at the seams with entertainment and places to eat.
This pest-proof ‘urban island’ is the closest thing you’ll find to experiencing what New Zealand was like before humans.
One of the city’s most iconic experiences, Wellington Cable Car leads to some of the best views of the capital.
Space Place is home to a digital full-dome planetarium, the historic Thomas Cooke telescope, and interactive galleries and exhibitions.
1 – 31 August 2024
15 August – 1 September 2024St James Theatre
26 September – 13 October 2024TSB Arena
18 May – 14 December 2024Michael Fowler Centre
1 June – 28 October 2024Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
23 – 24 August 2024Sky Stadium
23 February – 27 October 2024St James Theatre
Wellington’s big backyard is packed full of outdoor adventures and unmissable experiences.
With two harbours, extensive trails, and a beating cultural heart, Porirua is worth exploring.
Sandy beaches, spectacular landscapes, and friendly people are all just a short drive from Wellington.
Whether you walk, bike, hike, or horse ride, discover trails for all walks of life across the region.
Everything you need to plan your ultimate stay in Wellington.