Why you should visit Wellington in Spring

The weather in Wellington in Spring is best described as inconsistent – from one day to the next you just don’t know whether it will be hailing, bucketing down with rain, or mostly fine with gale-force winds. You’ve got to be prepared for all possible weather and have some decent waterproof walking shoes!

But there are beautifully sunny days interspersed and after the winter it feels important to make the most of the sun, as it still feels like it could be taken away at any moment.

It’s a great time to get out and about in the city, especially if it’s Autumn in your part of the world – here are few of my favourite places to enjoy in Wellington in Spring.

Top ofΒ Te Ahumairangi Hill Wellington in Spring

Wellington in Spring at the Botanic Gardens

The gardens are gorgeous at this time of year. An annual Spring Festival is held when the Tulips come out, which are closely followed by the roses. Picnic Cafe does a roaring brunch trade despite long waits and curious roaming ducks.

Rose Gardens Wellington in Spring
Tulips Botanic Gardens Wellington in Spring

Get out walking in Wellington

Te Ahumairangi Hill and Mount Victoria each have unique look outs over Wellington City and the habour and The Waterfront and Oriental Bay are beautiful to explore. For something different I recommend walking the loop track around the Makara Wind Turbines.

Wind Turbine Walk Makara

World of WearableArt (WOW)

WOW is an internationally renowned design competition that attracts entries from over 40 countries each year.

For three weeks in Wellington each year from late September, the WOW awards shows creatively display the best of these creations in a spectacular performance enjoyed by over 60,000 people.

Take a tour of the Parliament buildings

On a tour of New Zealand’s Parliament you get to see inside the Beehive, Parliament Building and the Gothic Library. Sadly no photographs are allowed inside, nor will you be escorted up to the Prime Ministers office on the 9th floor of the Beehive.

Free public tours run daily, on the hour from 10am to 4pm seven days a week.

The tour has been different every time I’ve done it as each host puts their own spin on things.

New Zealand Parliament Buildings

I love the fact the stop/walk pedestrian lights around the parliament area have a Kate Sheppard instead of a Green Man to promote the women’s suffrage movement led by Kate Sheppard that resulted in New Zealand becoming the first country to allow women to vote in 1983.

Kate Sheppard lights in Wellington

In New Zealand we’re lucky enough to be able to sit on the Parliament Lawn in New Zealand and it’s my preferred lunch spot on a fine day.

Enjoy the Craft Beer Scene

Wellington is also known as the craft beer capital of New Zealand. There’s a craft beer trail you can complete to receive a certificate and t-shirt.

Panhead Custom Ales Wellington bar

After daylight savings begins and the weather starts to improve, the period between Labour Weekend and Christmas is my favourite stretch of the year. As the evenings get longer you’ll see many a Wellingtonian out enjoying a drink or a good meal after work.

Looking for somewhere to stay in Wellington?

  • Bolton Hotel
  • DoubleTree by Hilton
  • Have you ever been to New Zealand? Is it on your Bucket List? Would you like to visit Wellington in Spring?

    14 Comments

    1. Miranda
      June 24, 2017 / 11:42 pm

      I visited Wellington during the winter, definitely enjoyed it, but man the wind goes right through ya! πŸ˜‰ Would love to go back and see those tulips

      • June 25, 2017 / 4:18 pm

        It’s particularly bad at the moment with the driving wind, horizontal rain and cold weather! I’m about to escape to Europe for 8 weeks, returning just in time for spring and tulips πŸ™‚

        • Miranda
          June 25, 2017 / 4:37 pm

          Yikes!

          I can’t wait to hear about your time in Europe, it’s been on my bucket list since – well forever, but I haven’t had the chance to make it over there yet. Soon, I hope!

    2. Sylvie Laplanche
      October 11, 2015 / 6:29 pm

      Visiting NZ and Wellington this summer !

    3. December 13, 2014 / 8:45 am

      Whoops, and thanks for linking up with #wanderlust! Do you want to be part of the Wanderlust team?

      • December 20, 2014 / 10:58 pm

        Sorry for the slack response but YES, saw your post as to what this involves would love to be on the Wanderlust team πŸ™‚

    4. December 13, 2014 / 8:44 am

      Gosh I thought I’d done tons of of things in Wellington when we were there the other month, but I only did one thing on your list! Ha! It’s a beautiful city. πŸ™‚

    5. Elizabeth Harding
      December 5, 2014 / 2:15 pm

      I do love Wellington! Especially over spring/summer when it’s not so windy! Great post, nice to link up on the wanderlust linkup πŸ™‚ Im Liz at Passport Packed.

    6. Malinda Brown
      December 4, 2014 / 10:15 am

      New Zealand is a beautiful country to visit. I never knew Wellington had Botanic Gardens – on my list!

    7. December 2, 2014 / 8:53 pm

      That gothic library looks fab! I didn’t realise they had that sort of thing…Never been, alas

      • December 2, 2014 / 10:13 pm

        It is quite fab and totally different to any other Wellington building I can think of. Also by not being wooden it survived a fire other parliament buildings didn’t in 1907. A must visit!

    8. November 28, 2014 / 9:18 am

      Thanks for the ideas about places to go. I’m also an almost 30(hm.)-something and I’ve just moved to Wellington, so great to get some new suggestions for the weekend.
      Nic x

      • November 28, 2014 / 10:19 pm

        Hi Nic, thanks for the comment. From Instagram I can see you’re doing very well at exploring Wellington! Enjoy the sun while it’s shining πŸ™‚