Wellington Guide
Events in Wellington
Wellington On a Plate
If you book flights Dunedin to Wellington during August you’ll be able to take part in the delicious Wellington On a Plate festival. More than 140 food events take place across the city with cuisine and culinary professionals coming from all over the world to showcase their dishes. You don’t need to be a food critic to enjoy the various dishes on offer; Wellington On a Plate is an all encompassing festival with a fantastic community spirit that’s absolutely worth checking out when you book flights from Dunedin to Wellington.
Van Gogh Alive
The Van Gogh Alive event only started a couple of years ago but it’s quickly become one of the most popular events among locals and tourists with flights to Wellington Airport (WLG). This large scale multi-sensory experience lets you observe the work of the Dutch artist like never before. His masterpieces are presented on huge boards so that you can see his vivid colours and brushstrokes up close and in hyperreal detail. The event takes place in January with tickets going on sale in November so if you’ve secured your flights from Dunedin to Wellington, it’s worth booking in advance.
Beervana
Beervana is hosted by the same team that puts on Wellington On a Plate. With cheap flights Dunedin to Wellington in November, you might be able to catch Wellington’s premier beer festival. You can enjoy lagers, ales and stouts from breweries across New Zealand and overseas. There’s beer cocktails, interactive themed bars, delicious food and much more.
Public transport in Wellington
Buses
Wellington has a fairly extensive public bus network with more than 100 routes to various spots around the city including Hutt Valley, Porirua, Kapiti and Wellington Airport (WLG).
Trains
Wellington’s trains are a really effective way of getting around if you’ve travelled from Dunedin to Wellington and are looking to see as much as possible. The train network is made up of five lines which go to Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Johnsonville, Masterton and Waikanae.
Ferries
You can catch a ferry from Wellington Harbour. It can take you to central Wellington, Days Bay, Seatoun and Somes Island.
Cable Car
The Wellington Cable Car is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and a really great way to get to the lookout point in Kelburn which has one of the best views of the city. The trip to the top takes approximately five minutes. It’s also a popular tourist attraction among visitors with flights to Wellington Airport.
Wellington neighbourhood overview
Te Aro
Te Aro is nearby Wellington city centre and is home to some of the city’s best bars, restaurants and nightclubs including Golden’s Free Dive and Taste of Home on Vivian Street. It’s also where you’ll find Cuba Street, the city’s most popular street among locals and visitors with flights Dunedin to Wellington.
Kelburn
Most visitors with flights Dunedin to Wellington will travel on Wellington’s iconic cable car which ends in the lovely suburb of Kelburn. It’s one of the city’s wealthiest areas so if you’ve managed to buy cheap flights from Dunedin to Wellington and are looking to spoil yourself, Kelburn could be the perfect place to stay with its fantastic views of the city and great attractions like the botanic gardens.
Miramar
Miramar is a good place to stay if you’ve booked Dunedin to Wellington flights in search of a relaxing beach holiday. Wellington’s beach side suburb is best known for its stunning coastlines and for its chic boutiques and quaint cafes like Sandstone.
Mount Victoria
Mount Victoria is a quiet suburb near Oriental Bay and approximately 4 kilometres from the city centre. If you’ve caught a flight from Dunedin Airport (DUD) to Wellington and are a fan of The Lord of the Rings films, you can visit the forests nearby Mount Victoria where many of the scenes from the trilogy were filmed.
Best time to visit Wellington
The best time to visit Wellington
Weather in Wellington varies by season, so the time of year you visit could impact your experience. Summer experiences the warmest weather, with lots of sunshine and average temperatures of 20°C. Summer is an exciting time in Wellington with events and festivals held regularly. Summer is the city’s high season, so in addition to warm weather, you may have to deal with large crowds. Hotels raise their rates during the summer as well due to the many people visiting the city
For a mild weather experience, smaller crowds, and decreased hotel rates, plan a trip to Wellington in the spring or autumn. Temperatures hit about 15°C during the day, and these are the ideal seasons to visit the Botanic Garden. In spring, there are plenty of colourful blooms, and in autumn, vibrant foliage makes for scenic walks.
Winter gets cold in Wellington, and it is the city’s low season. During the winter, there are not many tourists, so you can find some great deals on hotels in the city centre. Winter temperatures are about 11°C during the day, but due to the strong winds off the harbour, it often feels much colder. On the cold days, there are plenty of indoor activities to stay warm, including museums, trendy cafes, and craft beer bars.
Airports
Departing From Dunedin
Dunedin Airport (DUD) is located about 22 kilometres (14 miles) southwest of Dunedin’s CBD in the town of Momona. It is the major airport serving the Dunedin region and operates from one terminal.
Each day, there are about 20 cheap flights from Dunedin to Wellington. Direct flights are available, getting you to Wellington Airport (WLG) in an hour and 15 minutes. You can book cheap airfares from Dunedin to Wellington on Air New Zealand and Jetstar.
Getting to Dunedin Airport
While there isn’t public transport from central Dunedin to the airport, you can take an Intercity bus there. Three Intercity buses are available each day between Dunedin and Dunedin Airport. Bus fare costs $30 NZD, and the bus will get you to the airport in about 30 minutes. Bus tickets can sell out, so it is recommended to book your spot on the Intercity bus in advance.
For a more affordable and flexible option, you can take a Super Shuttle from the city to the airport. A shared Super Shuttle only costs $20 NZD and gets you to your flight in about 45 minutes from the CBD. If you are travelling with a group, you can book a private Super Shuttle to the airport for a total of $120 NZD.
A taxi offers the quickest and most hassle-free option. A taxi will get you from Dunedin to the airport in about 25 minutes. Several taxi companies offer service to the airport, each charging a fare of about $80 NZD from the CBD to Dunedin Airport.
Parking at Dunedin Airport
Dunedin Airport has one airport that accommodates both short-term and long-term trips. The longer you park, the less your daily rate will be.
Where to Park at Dunedin Airport
Dunedin Airport Car Park: Dunedin Airport has one car park to accommodate stays of all lengths. Parking short-term, daily rates start at $22 NZD. If you plan to park for longer, you can book a weeklong park starting from $72 NZD.
Arriving in Wellington
There is one major airport in the Wellington area, which receives flights to the region. Wellington Airport (WLG) is located about 8 kilometres (5 miles) from the CBD and has several transport options available. When booking your return flights from Dunedin to Wellington, try to book a window seat. The views flying into Wellington are absolutely stunning!
How to Get from Wellington Airport (WLG) to Your Wellington Hotel or Accommodation
Once your DUD to WLG flight has landed, head outside for ground transportation options into the city. The Airport Flyer bus is the official transport option from Wellington Airport (WLG). It departs every 20 minutes and costs $9 NZD for a one-way ticket. The Airport Flyer bus makes several stops throughout the city, including Lambton Quay, Courtenay Place, and Willis Street. The bus will get you into the city in less than a half hour.
For the most affordable option from Wellington Airport (WLG) to the city, you can catch the Metlink bus number 2. The bus picks up passengers from the corner of Broadway and Hobart Streets, which is a 10-minute walk from the airport terminal. The bus doesn’t run quite as often as the Airport Flyer, but it also costs less. Fare typically costs $5 NZD, but if you use a Snapper transport card, you can take this bus for $2.81 NZD. Bus route 2 makes several stops in central Wellington, including Courtenay Place and Lambton Quay.
If you would prefer to catch a taxi, you will arrive to the city centre in about 15 minutes. Taxis travelling from Wellington Airport (WLG) use meters, and fare typically costs between $30 to $40 NZD. Wellington taxis accept credit cards and EFTPOS in addition to cash.
Things to do
Things to do in Wellington
Te Papa Museum
Te Papa is New Zealand’s national museum and is the place to go to learn about the history and culture of the country. The exhibits touch on all different aspects of New Zealand. At Te Papa, you can learn about Maori culture, natural history, the country’s earthquakes and seismic activity, and art. Short-term exhibits are rotated on a regular basis and offer another insight into NZ culture. In the past, several exhibits have been designed by the Weta Studios, who have also been responsible for props and effects for major movie franchises.
Ride the Cable Car to the Botanic Garden
The most iconic attraction in Wellington is its red cable car. The cable car makes its way up a large hill, terminating at the Wellington Botanic Garden. While riding the cable car, you’ll receive amazing views over the city, harbour, and mountains. Once you’ve reached the top of the hill, you can visit the Cable Car Museum and take a walk through the colourful Botanic Garden.
Explore the Waterfront
The city centre of Wellington is located on Wellington Harbour. The waterfront is one of the liveliest areas of the city and always has something exciting going on. There are lots of restaurants, bars, and weekend markets. The waterfront is the perfect place to go for a scenic walk. You can watch boats and rowers and see rolling hills across the harbour. On the eastern end of the waterfront, you can visit the scenic suburb of Oriental Bay. It has a beach, colourful houses stacked up on the hills, and a boardwalk lined with blue and white houseboats.
The Weta Studios
New Zealand has played a major role in some of the top Hollywood film franchises. The Weta Studios, which are located in the Miramar neighbourhood of Wellington, have worked on Lord of the Rings, Avatar, the Chronicles of Narnia, and more. They develop sets, props, costumes, and special effects to be used in films. You can visit the Weta Studios and take a tour of their workshop. During the tours, you’ll learn about their process and get to see props from some of their most famous projects.
Zealandia
Zealandia is an ecosanctuary made up of plants and animals that are native to New Zealand. The majority of species in the sanctuary were endangered, and Zealandia has worked to get their population back up. The animals and birds of Zealandia are not enclosed, so you will regularly see them walking along beside you. Zealandia has some beautiful walking trails and feels like a world away from the city centre of Wellington. To reach Zealandia, you can catch a free shuttle from the upper cable car station.
Mount Victoria Lookout
Wellington is made up of hills, which also means plenty of great views. Mount Victoria is loved by both locals and tourists alike and is just outside of the CBD. A bus is available to the top, but you can also take a nice hike up to the summit. From Mount Victoria, you can see all of central Wellington, the hills that surround it, and the harbour.
