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Best time to visit Wellington

The most beautiful times of the year to hit up Wellington in New Zealand.

Stephanie Yip
Stephanie Yip

Last updated:

Thanks to the moderate climate, there’s not really a bad time of year to visit Wellington.

However, there are months that are quieter than others when it comes to crowds. Here’s the insider info on the best time to visit New Zealand’s capital city.

Best time to visit Wellington

Early March to early May.

Why?

Although the weather is at its best in Wellington in the summer months – between December and February – the heat means that people pour onto the streets, beaches and bays of the city en masse.

Claiming your own spot of sand or nabbing a table in a beer garden can get tricky.

To avoid the crowds and the peak prices, beeline to Wellington between March and May. This is autumn, and won’t be quite as warm but there will be clear skies and a lot more elbow room around the top sightseeing spots.

Overview

In summer (December to February) temperatures in Wellington range from 13-20°C. In autumn (March-May), the mercury hangs around 11-16.5°C. In winter (June-August) you can expect temperatures of 6.5-11°C and a 55% daily chance of rain. In spring (September-November) the temperatures rise again to anywhere between 9 and 15.5°C.

Weather and prices

Best time to visit Wellington, weather wise: Summer – December to February.

Cheapest time to visit Wellington: Winter – June to August.

Best time to visit Wellington for...

  • Beaches: If you don’t mind sharing the sand with other sunbathers, the best time to visit Wellington’s beaches is when the climate is hottest in the summer months of December to February. For the strongest sun, head to the capital in January.
  • Sightseeing: The autumn months of March to May are the best time to see Wellington’s sights as the weather will still be warm but summer crowds will have dwindled.
  • Wineries: Wellington is haloed by wineries and while many of them stay open all year round, some close to visitors in winter. For a real celebration of the grape, head to the city in March so you can get along to the Wairarapa wine region Harvest Festival. It takes just over an hour to get to this part of the world from the capital city and once there you can sample wines from 16 local boutique wineries.

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