Wellington flights and travel guide

In 1865, Wellington replaced Auckland as the capital of New Zealand. Named in honour of Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, this capital city located at the tip of the Northern Island quickly became the heartbeat of the country.

Today, Wellington is New Zealand's political centre. All government ministries, including Parliament and a plethora of foreign diplomats, are based here. But travellers booking flights to Wellington will experience more than a democracy; Wellington is considered the arts and culture capital of New Zealand. Home to New Zealand's film and theatre industry, the city also hosts the "Te Papa Tongarewa" (the Museum of New Zealand), the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the biennial International Festival of the Arts. Along with culture and art, the city also boasts a nightlife not to be missed.

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Wellington climate

Wellington is known for being windy, and the winds through the Cook Strait are persistent and often chilly. January and February are the warmest months with temperatures in the low 20s (Celsius). July and August are the coolest months with temperatures in the low single digits and low teens. May to August also tends to be wet.

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When to fly to Wellington

Peak season:

In February and March Wellington hosts the annual Wellington Fringe Festival, the biennial International Festival of the Arts, and the annual Dragon Boat Festival.

The Summer Racing Carnival in late January features the Wellington Race Cup Meeting, offering high stakes and three days of racing with the best horses and jockeys around.

Outside the most popular times to visit November, December, and April are also warm and pleasant times to explore Wellington.

Off season:

Winters with the chilly wind and cooler temperatures have fewer tourists and crowds.

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Getting into town Wellington

Stagecoach Flyer bus, a shuttle service and taxis all go to the city centre.

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Getting around Wellington

Most of Wellington’s attractions can be reached on foot, but there is plenty of public transport too. Trolleys can take you around inside the city, as can bright yellow City Circular hop-on hop-off buses that stop at major attractions. You can take cable cars, ferries and the After Midnight Bus Service to a number of areas and Stagecoach buses reach out to the suburbs. Biking is a popular way to enjoy the scenery. With all the public transport options, you don’t really need a car unless you’re leaving the city.

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Wellington insider information

• Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand's national museum. Through amazing exhibits and displays and cutting-edge technology, it tells the story of the country and its people. The Discovery Centers and StoryPlace are very popular with children.
• The Government Buildings at Lambton Quay, now home to the Victoria University School of Law, were designed to resemble an Italian stone palace, despite being made of wood. It is the largest wooden building in the southern hemisphere and the second-largest wooden building in the world. There is public access to the grounds and some of the rooms are open to visitors including the Cabinet room. Parliament House and the Beehive (the Executive Wing, shaped like a beehive) – the offices of the prime minister and the cabinet - are landmarks too and can be visited.
• Mount Victoria offers the best views of Wellington. See the harbour, downtown, town belt and airport from the top. The land was set aside for the people of Wellington in 1841. The walk up from Courtenay Place, a lively, buzzy area with lots of restaurants and pubs, takes about an hour.
• Take the Wellington Cable Car from Lambton Quay, in the central business district, to the top of the Botanic Garden. The Gardens comprise 25 hectares (62 acres) of protected native forest, plant collections and floral displays. The gardens are in Thorndon, New Zealand's oldest suburb.
• Visit Katherine Mansfield's birthplace. The famous short-story writer was born in Thorndon in 1888. The house where she spent her early childhood years has been restored and is open to the public.

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Wellington airports

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