Travelling to Wellington: What you need to know

Flights

Getting to Wellington is easy with frequent connections to all the major cities and tourist hotspots of New Zealand such as Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown and also numerous regional destinations. Two airlines operate the bulk of domestic routes out of Wellington with Air New Zealand being the biggest player with up to 14 daily services to Auckland whilst Jetstar operate approximately half the services whist less frequent services operate to other destinations. When flying from elsewhere in NZ expect travel time to generally be under 1.5 hours.

Wellington also hosts a modest but handy amount of international connections as well with a handful of daily departures to Australia’s eastern capitals of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane operated by both Air New Zealand and Qantas whilst Fiji Airways operates services to Nadi. If travelling from other countries you’ll most likely have to transit via Auckland or Christchurch airports instead. Expect a flying time of around 3-4 hours.

Another great way to get to Wellington is via the InterIslander or Blueridge Ferry service which crosses the cook strait connecting the North and South Islands. This is a great option for travelling around the South Island by road whereby you can can catch the ferry from Picton before arriving in Wellington for a short stay before continuing your New Zealand holiday around the North Island (or vice versa)

Accommodation

It is no surprise due being New Zealand’s capital, the city attracts a lot of business and leisure and therefore there is a good variety of quality accomodation options that cater to a wide range of traveler clientele. Prices do tend to be on the higher side although there is a range of accommodation options to suit all tastes.

In Wellington there are numerous hostels both independent and through chain or franchise networks catering towards budget travelers. Expect to pay from $30-$50 per night for an established hostel such as the Nomads Wellington Hostel . There are also numerous budget hotels and motels and also university accommodation which may offer short stay arrangements with prices usually starting from around $100 per night. Several holiday parks are also available in Wellington and even more along its outskirts for those touring by road and perhaps camping or caravanning. Plenty of the mid range and high end hotel chains are also present all up to the most luxurious of properties. Whilst prices tend to be on the higher side than elsewhere in New Zealand good specials can still be had when booking in advance or during off peak periods.

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Weather

Wellington has a classic temperate maritime style climate which is generally cool and windy most of the year with rainfall fairly even distributed across the year. In winter expect maximum temperatures around 12 degrees whilst summer average maximums average around 20 degrees although there can certainly be warmer days sunny days during the summer season. Due to the cool winters and mild summers we’d recommend bringing a jacket even in the warmer months as it can still be cool.

How to get around

Getting around Wellington is a breeze with all the major tourist attractions and cultural institutions within easy walking distance of all the main accomodation options in the CBD. For journeys into the suburbs, Wellington’s public transport operator Metlink operates a reliable network of buses, trains and harbour ferries. In a win for visitors, all trips on Metlink services are currently half price until 31st January 2023 making it incredibly affordable to get around the city.

Recommend 3 Day Wellington Itinerary

Day 1: Orientate yourself around the Wellington CBD and Waterfront

Explore the Wellington Waterfront and CBD

A great way to start your Wellington trip is by taking a walk along the Wellington Waterfront where you can take in the views of the city skyline and its lovely harbour. On foot you can explore many of Wellington’s famous attractions such as Queens Wharf, Te Papa, Chaffers Marina and Oriental Bay.

Take the Wellington Cable Car up to Kelburn for stunning city views

One of the most popular things to do in Wellington is to take the famous cable car from the heart of the Wellington CBD situated Lambton Quay right up to the summit of the hillside suburb of Kelburn. The 5-minute ride from the heart of the city centre, takes you up through the hillside terraced houses of Kelburn, to the prime vantage point and lookout perched high above the city. Once at the summit you can also enjoy easy access to the Botanic Gardens, Cable Car Museum, Space Place Observatory and Zealandia via the free shuttle).

Day 2: Museums and New Zealand’s cultural institutions

Visit Te Papa Musuem

An absolute must for any particularly first time visitor to Wellington is paying a visit to the Museum of New Zealand known as Te Papa Tongarewa. New Zealand’s national museum has 6 floors of cutting edge and interactive exhibits where you can learn everything about New Zealand’s history, culture and geography and more. Entry is free except for select special exhibitions. The museum is open almost every day of the year.

Take a guided tour of the Beehive and NZ Parliament

Another thing well worth doing whilst in the New Zealand’s capital is paying a visit to the country’s national parliament often simply referred to as the Beehive due to unique design of one of its main buildings. A variety of free guided tours operate daily with it recommended to book online first to secure your spot on the New Zealand Parliament website. On sitting days it is also possible to visit question time whilst in action but again you’ll first have to reserve your spot first.

Day 3: Enjoying the best of Wellington outdoors

Visit Zealandia Ecosanctuary

One of Wellington’s most popular tourist attractions is a visit to the Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary where you’ll find a massive eco-sanctuary home to over 40 rare native species and 32km of walking tracks. This is a great place to see lots of New Zealand’s native wildlife and natural habitat tat. Expect to allow at least a half day to fully enjoy your visit. Zealandia is open daily from 9am to 5pm with general admission costIng $24 or $10 for children ages 5-17 and free for the younger ones. A variety of guided tours are also available including special Twilight tours.

Take a hike up Mount Victoria

Another great thing to do in Wellington is to take a short hike or drive up to the summit of Mount Victoria which offers a fantastic alternative to the Wellington Cable Car for a different vantage point of the city and its harbour. From the summit of Mt Victoria you’ll be treated to 360 degree panoramic views of Wellington including of the city skyline, harbour and also all the activity of Wellington International Airport.

Visit Oriental Bay

Located only a short walk from Wellington’s CBD Oriental Bay is best regarded as the city’s favourite beachside destination. Here you’ll find a pristine beach and plenty of shops and restaurants along the foreshore promenade. It is well worth spending a few hours here.

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