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. 

The laugh is half-full

The nights are getting longer but resist the urge to stay in. The NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo rolls into town from 3 to 26 May. There are so many reasons to go out for a laugh. The Kiwi comic contingent is a balance of well-known faces and rising stars. Among the luminaries look out for Guy Montgomery, Hayley Sproull, Tom Sainsbury, Pax Assadi, and Melanie Bracewell. The people who’ve flown here include Ireland’s David O’Doherty, Schalk Bezuidenhout from South Africa, Olga Koch from UK, and fan favourite American, Wilson Dixon. The Australians have sent their best too. Check out the extensive programme.

The exterior of The Rogue and Vagabond, a bar located in Glover Park in Te Aro, Wellington.
A scenic view of Porirua Harbour from Colonial Knob Walkway on Mount Rangituhi. A cyclist is riding their mountain bike on the trail.
The bar at St Johns Bar & Eatery, a restaurant on Cable Street on Wellington's waterfront. A person wearing a white collared shirt is ordering a drink, two bartenders are behind the bar, one of them is pouring a draft beer into a large pint glass.
Light Cycles is an outdoor digital art experience that will transform the Wellington Botanic Garden. Colourful lights are projected through the trees and silhouetted figures are seen in the background.

Let there be light

Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā will bask in a whole new light after dark this season. ‘Light Cycles’ by Moment Factory runs from 11 May to 9 June. Billed as an illuminating outdoor experience, the gardens’ pathways will be filled with different multimedia experiences. Light installations, video projections, and an original soundtrack will form a sensory journey. Each area highlights the garden's lush backdrop. Through lighting and soundscapes, you can connect with the natural world.

Climb every mountain

If you’re more of an all-day athletic challenge than an all-day festival-goer, there are options for you, too The hills and trails around Wellington will provide an epic adventure playground for athletes to test themselves in April. Faultline Ultra dishes out the ultimate endurance challenge. Both mountain bikers and runners have six possible routes to push their limits on. You can tackle races ranging from 5km to a massive 100 miles. An epic event requires epic surroundings. Participants will negotiate trails around Kāpiti, the Hutt River, Porirua, Karori, and Wellington City. 

Two people posing and taking a selfie with The Incredible Hulk statue at Marvel: Earth's Mightiest Exhibition at Tākina.

Dive into the Marvel universe at Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Exhibition.

A trip to see your Heroes

For some indoor fun, head to Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre. Pop culture wouldn’t be the same without the stories and characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. ‘Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Exhibition | Te Whakaaturanga Mārohirohi o Te Ao’ dives into the Marvel Universe. Catch your favourite Super Heroes and Villains — from Spider-Man to Black Panther, Deadpool, Groot, the Avengers, and more.

A sip’s just the trick 

With a jam-packed itinerary of events, make sure you save some time to refuel. The settled weather in autumn allows for some visits to Wellington’s outside watering holes. The Rogue & Vagabond opens straight out onto Glover Park on Ghuznee Street and provides beanbags as seating for a relaxed vibe. A couple of doors down the street and two floors above, Ascot provides a sheltered patio to enjoy the combination you never knew you needed — natural wine and a hot dog. The waterfront boasts an abundance of restaurants with outside areas. St Johns Bar on Cable Street has a healthy selection of small and large plates depending on the size of your appetite. Foxglove on Queens Wharf does everything from bar food to a mean Wagyu rump steak.

Seek the serenity

After all the hype of music, street fairs, and festivals you might like a moment to reflect. The autumn leaves will be turning every shade of red, yellow, and orange. Head out to one of the hundreds of trails around the region. Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush offers walks ranging from gentle 10-minute strolls to 2.5-hour hikes. If you have half a day then the Skyline Walk in the outer town belt offers spectacular vistas. For those up for a big challenge, the Escarpment Track runs from Paekākāriki to Pukerua Bay. Narrow pathways, ridgelines, and swing bridges lead to more amazing views. 

Autumn adventures await

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Three friends hike in Ōtari-Wilton's Bush surrounded by native trees.

Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush

There’s a wide variety of walks available at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, ranging from gentle 10-minute strolls to 2.5-hour hikes. Original forests and native botanic gardens attract plenty of native birds.

Two people sitting up at the bar at Ascot, catching up for a drink whilst being served by a bartender.

Ascot

Hot dogs and wine are the combination you didn’t know you needed at this relaxed rooftop bar.

A vinyl record player with a pair of headphones laying on top at Xreeps Record Parlour, a record store in Petone, Lower Hutt, New Zealand.

Independent listening in Wellington

Every great city needs a great music scene. Whether it’s bleeding onto the streets from your favourite record stores or the rumble of a good back alley venue, Wellington has you covered. Help keep independent music alive with this list of where to get your wax or find your favourite artists.

Two smiling people sit on a wooden bench petting a lemur during a Close Encounter experience at Wellington Zoo.

Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo

The first carboNZero-certified zoo in the world, Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo puts conservation at the centre of everything it does.

Four people sharing pints of craft beer and some appetizers at Garage Project Taproom.

Garage Project

Established in a former petrol station garage, the Garage Project brewery is fuelled by a love of creativity. It applies to everything including business, brewing, and labels.

The Large concrete exterior of Te Papa, with 4 large globe statues outside.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Te Papa’s unique conference and meeting spaces offer the flexibility to host a vast range of events through one single contact.

Three people walking at the summit of Mount Victoria with a view of Wellington city in the background.

Top five trails in the Wellington region

The best of the best, the crème de la crème, the pick of the litter — you get the drift — these are the best trails in the Wellington region.

A close-up of two dishes, two menus, and two cocktails in animal-shaped cups on a pale green table at Mr. Go's.

Mr Go’s

There’s a whole world of flavour on offer at Mr Go’s.

A parent taking of a photo of their child posing in the Well_ngton sign on the waterfront.

Getting around Wellington — your guide to seeing the city

When you’re in Wellington the world around you always has something to look at. In and around the city there are many modes of transport where you can slow down and take in a view. Get around with the options below.

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.