Wellington

Wellington is a vibrant year-round city and host to exciting events to make every trip a memorable one.

Wellington, New Zealand.

From a sparkling harbour, to rolling hills and golden sand beaches, it is an active place where visitors can stroll through lush native fauna and flora, shop or visit New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa. If you are feeling aquatic, hire a kayak and admire the city from the sea. In the evening dine at one of Wellington's best restaurants before taking in a local show or theatre. The choices are plenty in beautiful Wellington.

Spring in Wellington

Set between a harbour and lush green hills, Wellington sparkles in springtime.

Spring brings the perfect weather to explore this beautiful city -whether it's a walk along the waterfront, a 4WD tour out along the South Coast or a kayak trip in the harbour.

Downtown Wellington is famous for its fashion and there is no better season to update your wardrobe than spring. From international haute couture to local design talent, Downtown's Four Quarters have spring styles to suit all tastes and budgets.

Stop into one of Downtown Wellington's cafes and take a picnic up to the Botanic Garden. Enjoy beautiful views of the city and see spring come to life at its 26 specialist gardens.

Take a visual journey across the continents without leaving Wellington, with the highly acclaimed World Press Photo Exhibition at Shed 11 in September. Or step back to the Seventies with Saturday Night Fever - The Musical, at Westpac St James Theatre from late November.

November brings a celebration of wine and food with Toast Martinborough, set in the vineyards of Martinborough's wine country. Just an hour's drive north of Wellington, Toast Martinborough brings together all the flavours of the region.

Summer in Wellington

December will kick-start summer with the world premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Hundreds of media, stars and star spotters will converge on the Capital for a week of Middle Earth fantasy action.

December - February

Festivities will continue throughout summer, December - February with The Inter-island Line Summer City Festival of Free Outdoor Entertainment. As the name suggests, this is a sun worshippers celebration of Wellington and its people. From concerts to Maori cultural events, festivals to film events, this is the best time to visit the Capital.

January

Wellington's fashion and racing fraternities will strut their stuff at Wellington Cup Week. This premiere racing event is a highlight in Wellington's summer calendar.

February - March

The arts will take centre stage late summer at the New Zealand International Arts Festival, a highlight of Wellington's late summer. This is New Zealand's most extensive and exciting multi-arts event.

The Fringe New Zealand Festival will explode onto the streets with an eclectic mix of surprising and challenging art forms.

Wellington's funky Cuba Quarter will be celebrated with the two-day Cuba Street Carnival. This is the country's largest and most spectacular free street festival showcasing the creative diversity of Wellington.

Autumn in Wellington

New Zealand's capital city is host to a number of exciting events to make every trip a memorable one this autumn.

Wellington becomes New Zealand's centre of arts for children and their families, at the biennial Capital E National Arts Festival in March.

With autumn comes better weather, so it's the perfect time to hold the Wellington Dragon Boat Championships. Wellington's harbour is the venue for this heart-stopping spectator sport that involves dragon boaters of all ages. Thousands will converge on the waterfront for this event during March.

Are you passionate about what you eat and drink? Do you love cooking, entertaining and experiencing the exciting range of foods and beverages available in New Zealand? Don't miss the Food Show Wellington.

Autumn is an ideal season to take advantage of all the other great things Wellington has to offer. Check out the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, where native New Zealand birds are being re-introduced into regenerating forest just on the city's edge. Or spot the New Zealand fur seal colony on Wellington's rugged South Coast - just minutes from the central city.

Winter in Wellington

Wellington offers the warmest welcome this winter. Whether you are looking to head outdoors or relax by an open fire with a steaming latte, Wellington is wonderful in winter.

Experience winter at its most harsh at Te Papa Tongarewa. Antarctic Heroes - The Race to the South Pole is a celebration of the heroic era of Antarctic Exploration. It tells the epic stories of three of Antarctica's greatest heroes - Captain Robert Scott, Roald Amundsen, and Ernest Shackleton.

Take a journey through cultures with the Wellington International Film Festival ·17 days of movie-lovers' madness starting or celebrate home-grown film-making talent with the 17th Wellington Fringe Film Festival, both in July. The world of jazz comes to Wellington in August, with the Wellington International Jazz Festival, a sublime music festival held at inner city clubs, bars and public spaces.

Shopping is a year round activity in Wellington, where all the best stores are within easy walking distance of each other. Downtown Wellington has four unique quarters, each reflecting the city's four distinct flavours. Spread throughout Downtown, there are more than 400 restaurants, bars and cafes offering a warm place to re-fuel.

Wellington can get wild in winter and nowhere is better to experience the elements than the rugged South Coast. Take a Seal Coast Safari tour out to see the Fur Seal Colony and some of the most breathtaking scenery in New Zealand.

Wellington, New Zealand.