Wellington
Nestled between green hills and a sparkling harbour, Wellington (Te Whanganui-a-Tara) is New Zealand’s vibrant capital city. Offering more per square metre, it’s a place where culture, history, nature, and good times easily come together in a compact footprint.
Wellington is where the Classic New Zealand Wine & Food Trail comes together on a plate. A number of the city’s restaurants have been recognised in the MICHELIN Guide, celebrating everything from fine dining to quality casual food at affordable prices. Whatever your taste, Wellington has you covered.
Known for
A diverse and MICHELIN-recognised dining scene
More flavour
Wellington has earned a reputation for exceptional hospitality, a thriving food scene, and MICHELIN-recognised restaurants. From cosy wine bars to rooftop hideaways, award-winning restaurants to hole-in-the-wall hidden gems, the capital has plenty to whet your appetite.
Take your pick from multi-course degustations to family-style tapas, best-ever pub grub, or a huge selection of traditional Malaysian cuisine. Explore the city your own way or join a food tour to discover local favourites.
In between courses, sip on locally brewed coffee, craft beer, or the perfect wine pairing. Knowledgeable wine experts can assist you in finding the right match for your chosen dish.
More to do
It’s easy to be entertained in Wellington. Fill your days with more retail therapy, mind-bending art galleries, native birdsong and museums you'll actually enjoy.
Explore New Zealand’s Parliament and ride the iconic Wellington Cable Car. Wander through the world’s first fully fenced ecosanctuary at Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, or go behind the scenes of blockbuster filmmaking at Wētā Workshop Experiences.
No visit to the capital is complete without the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. With six floors of interactive exhibitions, it’s the perfect place to discover the country’s identity, history, and culture. Start with a guided tour, then take time to explore at your own pace.
More events
Throughout the year, Wellington comes alive with a diverse programme of shows, festivals, exhibitions, and major events.
World of WearableArt Show combines art, fashion, music, and performance into a spectacular theatrical event. Get your dose of culture with the Wellington Jazz Festival, Fringe Festival, and the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts. In Autumn, globally renowned electronic dance music festival ULTRA New Zealand takes over the waterfront. Winter heats up with Visa Wellington On a Plate, bringing with it Beervana, pop-up restaurants, special events, and hundreds of burgers to venues around the city.
A calendar of live performance events are hosted in historic civic venues like St James Theatre, Michael Fowler Centre, The Opera House, and soon to be opened, Te Whare Whakarauika Wellington Town Hall.
