Cruises Wellington

Wellington is New Zealand’s capital city, located in the south of the North Island. Although compact, the city is New Zealand’s second largest and boasts a resident population of over 400 000 people.

Wellington is home to a lot of the country’s most important cultural institutions, such as museums, theatres, archives and galleries, so there is never a shortage of things to see and do.

Get away from the busy downtown and you will feel the chilled vibes of the city full of waterfront promenades, sandy beaches and colourful timber houses. Looking around on a clear, sunny day, you will be amazed by the surrounding landscapes. There are the snow-capped Kaikoura Ranges, the Remutaka Range and the broad plains of the wine region behind it.

The Best Time to Cruise to Wellington

The best time to cruise to Wellington is autumn, so the months of March to May, there are several good reasons for that:

• The high season hasn’t started yet, so the city isn’t overcrowded
• Average temperatures range between 12-15℃, perfect for outdoor exploration
• March boasts two great festivals – Summer City and NZ Fringe

Don’t forget to pack an umbrella, though, autumn is quite rainy in Wellington.

The summer (December to February) is also a great time to explore Wellington, however, you have to be prepared to share the city with thousands of other visitors – this is the peak season and school is out.

Things to Do in Wellington

Although, modest in size, Wellington offers visitors a fantastic amount of things to do and see. Check out some of our favourites below:

• The Zealandia wildlife resort is a must-visit, the eco-sanctuary is home to a great variety of native birds including the little spotted kiwi and tells the story of the country’s conservation efforts throughout the years. Night tours are also available.
• Enjoy an interactive experience full of special effects and New Zealand’s history at the Wellington Museum.
• Climb up 196 meters to Mt Victoria Lookout and be amazed by the views of the city. There is also a bus that will take you most of the way up if you don’t feel like sweating it out.
• Learn all about how the special effects were done for movies like the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit and King Kong from the guys who are responsible for them – Weta Workshop. Guided tours last 45 minutes and start every half an hour.
• Explore the New Zealand Parliament and the country’s unique version of democracy. It is here that women were given the right to vote for the first time in history in 1893.
• If you have an overnight stay in Wellington, make sure you book tickets to see the Royal NZ Ballet or NZ Opera at the Opera House.
• Fridays and Saturdays in the city offer a different kind of fun and games, the Wellington Night Market boasts heaps of food alongside performers and buskers galore.

Top Cruise Lines

Wellington is a great cruise destination, so lots of cruise lines include the city in their itineraries, be it local or international routes. Check out these popular cruise lines:

• Princess cruises to Wellington
• P&O Australia cruises to Wellington
• Cunard cruises to Wellington
• Carnival Australia cruises to Wellington
• Holland America cruises to Wellington