A LITTLE CITY WITH A BIG HEART

Wellington is smack bang in the middle of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, and it fulfils its role perfectly. Wellington is a compact city with a compelling mix of culture, history, nature, and cuisine. Fuel your days with strong coffee, wander through hidden laneways, and discover New Zealand’s stories in interactive museums. Be inspired in theatres and galleries and fill your suitcase with local designs and tasty treats from the boutiques and markets. Surprise your tastebuds with equally delicious and exciting cuisine in the city’s renowned restaurants, cocktail lounges, and craft beer bars. Immerse yourself in nature in the city’s outdoor playground, and explore by bike, foot, kayak, or ferry.

CULTURE CAPITAL

There’s plenty to inspire in Wellington with movie-making magic and award-winning museums, world-class performing arts, Māori culture, history, and art all around the city. There are interactive, ground-breaking displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and fascinating local history at Wellington Museum and Petone Settlers Museum. Space Place has tales of New Zealanders involved in space discovery, and art lovers are spoilt for choice with City Gallery Wellington, The Dowse Art Museum, the national art collection at Te Papa’s Toi Art, and contemporary Māori, Pacific, and New Zealand art at Pātaka Art + Museum. 

TASTE THE CITY

Wellington packs a punch when it comes to food. Taste your way around the world at cafés, restaurants, bistros, bars, and pubs serving up some of the best culinary experiences imaginable. Eat a little or a lot and sample the flavours of Aotearoa and beyond at award-winning eateries serving everything from pub grub to five-course degustation menus. Try fun casual eats at Mr Go’s and 1154 Pastaria, laid-back luxury at Loretta and Jardin Grill, or grab a bite from the many food trucks at the Harbourside Market on Sundays. 

CULINARY CAPITAL

Wellington’s reputation as New Zealand’s culinary capital is well-deserved, with more eateries and bars per capita than New York City. Get the full Wellington gastronomical experience with brunch and coffee at a local café, visit a market, sip local wine and craft beer, dine at an acclaimed eatery, and end with a perfectly made cocktail. With around 20 local roasteries, you’re never far from a freshly roasted coffee bean in Wellington. Find a perch outside Swimsuit and watch the world go by with an iced white in hand, enjoy an Acme coffee and a Tomboy doughnut at Squirrel or visit the café and roastery that was a pioneer of Wellington’s world-famous coffee culture, L’affare.

CRAFT BEER CAPITAL

Wellington is home to many craft beer bars and boutique breweries that have paved the way for New Zealand’s craft beer revolution. Park up at a cosy bar or sit al fresco in the sun, and sample the lagers, ales, sours, stouts, and everything in between that has put Wellington on the map as the craft beer capital. Ghuznee Street boasts a fantastic line-up of brew bars, including Whistling Sisters, Fortune Favours, and Choice Bros.Head south and stretch your legs at Lyall Bay Beach before heading to Parrotdog, a relaxed brewery serving up cold pints and chill vibes