Wellington travel blog
Stories, tips and honest takes for your Wellington trip
48 hours in Wellington
A realistic 48-hour Wellington plan covering Te Papa, the cable car, Cuba Street and one headline extra, paced for a tight weekend, not a rushed checklist.
Beervana Wellington guide
What Beervana is, when it runs, ticket and pricing realities, and how it connects to Wellington's wider craft-beer scene.
Best Instagram spots in Wellington
Wellington's most photogenic spots: Mount Victoria, Oriental Bay, the cable car and Cuba Street's murals, with the best time of day to shoot each one.
Best time for Martinborough wine
When to visit Martinborough for wine, weighing harvest, Toast Martinborough and the quieter shoulder seasons against each other honestly.
Cook Strait ferry tips
Practical tips for the Wellington to Picton ferry — booking, cost, timing, seasickness and what to expect on the 3.5-hour Cook Strait crossing.
CubaDupa festival guide
What CubaDupa is, when it happens on Cuba Street, and how to make the most of Wellington's biggest free street-arts festival.
How windy is Wellington, really?
A factual look at Wellington's famous wind — how strong it actually gets, which months are worst, and how it should change what you pack and plan.
Is Wellington worth visiting?
A straight answer on whether Wellington deserves a spot on your New Zealand itinerary, including who it suits and who might skip it.
Is Weta Workshop still worth it in 2026?
An updated, honest look at whether Weta Workshop's tours justify NZ$50-85 in 2026, with new productions shooting now and how it compares to alternatives.
Kāpiti Island booking guide
How to actually book a Kāpiti Island visit — permit requirements, ferry timing, tour options and what catches first-time visitors out.
Lord of the Rings, 25 years on
How Lord of the Rings shaped Wellington 25 years after filming, and what's actually left to see today versus what's faded or changed.
Toast Martinborough and the harvest festival
Toast Martinborough and the Wairarapa harvest season, honestly assessed: what the festival involves, real ticket costs, and whether it's worth the trip.
Matariki in Wellington
How Wellington marks Matariki, the Māori New Year: the public holiday, events at Te Papa and around the city, and what visitors should know.
NZeTA and IVL changes in 2026
What visitors need to know about New Zealand's NZeTA and Visitor Levy in 2026: real costs, who needs to apply, and how to avoid processing delays.
Wellington Christmas and New Year guide
Spending Christmas or New Year in Wellington: what's open, real peak-season prices, and how to make the most of a southern-hemisphere summer visit.
Wellington coffee culture, explained
Why Wellington calls itself New Zealand's coffee capital, what makes its café culture different, and how to actually experience it as a visitor.
Wellington's craft-beer scene, explained
How Wellington built an outsized craft-beer reputation: the breweries behind it, real pint prices, Beervana, and how the scene compares to Auckland's.
Wellington day trip vs overnight in Marlborough
Should you day-trip to Picton and Marlborough from Wellington, or stay overnight? Honest ferry timings, real costs and who each option actually suits.
Wellington earthquake safety for tourists
Honest earthquake safety information for Wellington visitors: real risk levels, what to do during a quake, and how prepared the city actually is.
Wellington food festivals calendar
A calendar of Wellington's recurring food, drink and cultural festivals, so you can time a visit around the ones that actually interest you.
Wellington on a budget
How to visit Wellington cheaply — realistic daily budgets, free attractions and where costs are easiest to cut without missing the city's highlights.
Wellington or Auckland: which city break?
Wellington vs Auckland for a city break: size, walkability, food and film heritage compared honestly, with real costs and which city suits your trip.
Wellington solo travel guide
Solo travel in Wellington: real safety notes, why the compact layout suits solo trips, where to eat alone comfortably, and honest costs for solo trips.
What to do in Wellington when it rains
Wellington's best indoor options for a wet day: Te Papa, Weta Workshop, museums and cafes, with real hours and honest picks for its rainiest stretches.
Why is Wellington called the Windy City?
The real geography behind Wellington's Windy City reputation: Cook Strait's wind-tunnel effect, average wind speeds, and what it means for your visit.
World of WearableArt (WOW) guide
What World of WearableArt actually is, when it runs, ticket realities and whether it's worth planning a Wellington trip around.