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Wellington

The Windy Capital: Te Papa, Cafés and the Cook Strait Ferry

Plan this trip
2 daysIdeal stay₹7,700From / night₹2,750Food / dayFreeEntry

The compact capital on a harbour at the bottom of the North Island, and the port for the Interislander and Bluebridge ferries to Picton. Te Papa, the national museum (free), is the best introduction to New Zealand; the red cable car climbs to the Botanic Garden; Zealandia is a fenced valley of native birds. Weta Workshop shows how the Lord of the Rings props were made. Famous for coffee, craft beer and wind.

Highlights

  • Te Papa national museum
  • Cable car and Botanic Garden
  • Zealandia ecosanctuary
  • Mt Victoria lookout
  • Weta Workshop tour
  • Cuba Street cafés
  • Waterfront walk to Oriental Bay

Things to do

  • Te Papa museumMorning · 3h
  • Cable car up, Botanic Garden walk downAfternoon · 2h
  • Zealandia ecosanctuary (night tour for kiwi)Evening · 2h 30m
  • Weta Workshop tourAfternoon · 2h
  • Mt Victoria lookout at sunsetEvening · 1h

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Wellingtonvia GetYourGuideTours & tickets in Wellingtonvia Klook

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When to go

Best time: November – April

Heads up

Cook Strait Sailings Can Be Cancelled

Southerly gales cancel Interislander and Bluebridge sailings a few times each winter, sometimes for a day or more. Book a flexible fare, and don't plan a tight connection at Picton or a flight home the same day.

  • Waitangi Day — New Zealand's national day, marking the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. The Treaty Grounds at Waitangi hold dawn services, a waka (war canoe) launch, speeches and a festival, free that day; Paihia's rooms book out weeks ahead. Expect political protest as well as celebration.
  • Matariki (Māori New Year) — The rising of the Matariki (Pleiades) star cluster, a public holiday since 2022: dawn ceremonies, light shows, kai (food) festivals and star-viewing events across the country, biggest in Auckland and Wellington. A long weekend: domestic flights and ski towns are busier.
  • World of WearableArt (WOW) — A three-week run of stage shows of extraordinary costume and wearable sculpture, from late September into October. Tickets and Wellington hotels sell out early.