What should I know before visiting Wellington?
Wellington is New Zealand’s culture capital, with a fantastic arts, culture and food scene. Visitors come from Melbourne to Wellington throughout the year to experience this vibrant city and enjoy a whole range of events, from the New Zealand Fringe Festival to the world-renowned Jazz Festival. Sharing a natural kinship with Melbourne’s love for arts and culture, Wellington is the proud epicentre of all that’s happening in New Zealand. With at least one fantastic festival every month of the year, no matter what time you book flights, there’s guaranteed to be something on. Better still, take advantage of cheap flights from Melbourne to Wellington in June through August, which just happens to be when some of the best events are on.
The short travel time on flights from Melbourne to Wellington means that you could easily book to go for a long weekend. Wellington Airport (WLG) is only 8 kilometres from the CBD so you can be in the city in as little as 15 minutes, depending on the time of day you travel.
What should I pack for Wellington?
Before you leave for your Wellington trip, check the weather forecast. That’ll give you a good indication of the clothes you need. Wellington’s climate is generally warm and pleasant, not too dissimilar to Melbourne, though you shouldn’t expect four seasons in a day!
If you travel during the winter months from June through to August, you’d be wise to pack warm clothes. Temperatures during the day in winter average about 12°C, only slightly colder than Melbourne. Adding gloves and a hat to your luggage will make sure you stay nice and warm as soon as you land at Wellington Airport. During the summer, temperatures sit at about 21°C during the day, so you’ll be able to pack light for your flight.
The dress code in Wellington is slightly dressier for nights out and special occasions. If you’ve got something stylish you’ve bought for your trip, there are plenty of swanky restaurants and bars to test out your new kit. During the day, though, you’ll be fine getting around in jeans and a t-shirt.
What is the history of Wellington?
Whether or not you’re a history enthusiast, take time to learn about the city’s fascinating heritage when you arrive in Wellington. From Maori history of Wellington, which dates back to 950AD when Kupe first discovered the city, to when Captain Cook first anchored in Wellington harbour in 1773, there is an astounding amount of history to absorb on your trip.
The city has fantastic museums suitable for the whole family. The Museum of New Zealand, Wellington Museum and Cable Car Museum are all great, plus there are plenty more to plan visits to, such as City Gallery Wellington, New Zealand Cricket Museum, and the New Zealand Portrait Gallery. Once you’ve got your flight booked, be sure to make a listy of the museums you want to visit.
If you plan to book flights from Melbourne to Wellington with children, the Space Place at Carter Observatory is a wonderful place to take the kids. This modern, digital planetarium has virtual space journeys and multimedia exhibits where you can learn about the Maori and European beliefs in regards to New Zealand's skies.
With so much to offer at all times of the year, Wellington has something for everyone. From the moment you set foot off the plane in Wellington Airport, you won’t be short of things to do. With such a diverse history, your only issue when planning a holiday to Wellington is choosing from all the events on offer. To get your trip off to the best possible start, be sure to book cheap Melbourne to Wellington return flights with Webjet.
