The Open Road Travel

Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is located on the country’s stunning North Island. A compact city surrounded by nature, ensuring you know the best areas to stay in Wellington is essential to guaranteeing you have a successful stay in the city.

With its sandy beaches, artsy vibe, waterfront promenade, growing craft brewery movement, and creative energy, the underrated capital of New Zealand has something for everyone and certainly is one to be added to your travel bucket list.

So, if you want to plan the perfect New Zealand vacation, you've come to the right place.

Wellington is the third most populous urban area in New Zealand and was named after Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, in 1840. The city is a port and major commercial centre of New Zealand.

Wellington combines a mix of culture, history, nature, and great cuisine. Situated on the North Island’s southernmost point on the Cook Strait, the city is nestled between a harbour and forested hills.

The Cook Strait is the passage that separates both the North and South Islands. As winds are funnelled through this passage, they become stronger, and Cook Strait often experiences very rough waters and fierce winds.

This makes Wellington one of the windiest cities in the world, thus earning it its nickname ‘Windy Wellington’.

But it is not only regular strong winds that Wellington must put up with. The city is also located on an active major fault zone and has survived several earthquakes.

As New Zealand is located in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are different from those in the northern hemisphere.

This means that the summer months are from December to February and the winter months are from June to August.

The summer months will bring you the warmest temperatures, averaging around 68 - 77 degrees Fahrenheit (20 - 25 degrees Celsius). However, summers in Wellington are rather unpredictable and, of course, sudden gales and strong winds are common.

As the city receives little to no rainfall at the start of Autumn (March) and there is still a good amount of sunshine, this would be the best time to visit Wellington.

Along with temperatures remaining around 20°C during the day, March is also a quieter month, meaning accommodation is easier to find and prices may be lower.

Wellington is a compact city with most attractions in easy reach. Either way, you will probably want to stay in an area that best suits your needs.

I’m going to give you a few areas below to help you select the best area to stay in Wellington depending on what you want out of your trip.

Wellington CBD (Central business district) is where all the action happens and is the heart of the city. Due to its central location and being close to the city’s main attractions, it is the best area to stay in Wellington for first-time visitors.

It may not be home to many cultural attractions, but the CBD has plenty of great shops, bars, and restaurants, plus the area boasts some of the city’s best coffee. However, there are still attractions in Wellington CBD for history buffs to enjoy as well.

Wellington Museum is in one of New Zealand’s most architecturally significant buildings, a beautiful former cargo warehouse from 1892, and houses captivating stories of Wellington and its people.

Discover everything from Wellington maritime history to early Māori and European settlement.

As I mentioned earlier, Wellington is known to have great coffee, and the CBD is the best place to grab one, as the area has an enviable amount of world-class cafes.

If you fancy stopping for a coffee or bite to eat, why not stop in one of the cafes located in Lambton Quay?

Situated in the heart of the CBD, Lambton Quay, known as ‘Beach Street’, is home to Wellington’s top high street shops and offers some of the best high-end and boutique shopping opportunities in the city.

The lively Lambton Quay is also where you can access the Wellington cable car that runs up to Kelburn, a pleasant suburb in the hills overlooking the city.

The Wellington cable car is an iconic symbol of Wellington, and a trip to the city would not be complete without a ride on the historical, red cable car.

If you need to rely on public transport during your stay in Wellington, the train station and bus station are both located in the CBD, making it easy to visit other areas of the region.

Plus, if you want to enjoy a trip to New Zealand’s South Island, you can catch one of the ferries to that dock on the shore along the waterfront.

Stay in City Centre/CBD if:

• You want to be in close proximity to the main attractions
• It is your first visit to Wellington
• You want good public transport connections
  

This plush, upscale, 5-star hotel with city and harbour views is just a 3-minute walk from the beach and from Lambton Quay.

The spacious, elegant rooms offer a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a coffee machine, and bar, plus upgraded rooms include extra beds or sofas. Room service is also available in all rooms.

The large bathroom even contains free toiletries and modern amenities plus a bathrobe.

Dining options include the high-end Chameleon restaurant, where you can enjoy meals with local flavours created by expert chefs, as well as a stylish lobby bar, which offers a cosy setting to enjoy a snack or cocktail.

There’s also a gym on-site with a spa, a sauna, and an indoor heated pool. InterContinental Wellington is also just 5 miles from Wellington International Airport and, if you are driving during your trip, parking is available at the hotel for a fee.

Just south of the CBD, sits the central suburb of Te Aro, the city’s largest entertainment district. Te Aro comes alive at night so is the best area to stay in Wellington for nightlife and a lively environment.

The inner-city suburb prides itself on having not only the best entertainment in the city but also the best food and drink. If you’re wanting a fun night out, head to Courtenay Place, the main street of the Courtenay Quarter in Te Aro.

Courtenay Place is well known for its entertainment and nightlife that goes on until dawn. Many restaurants and bars here stay open late, so this spot is perfect for any night owls.

During the day performing buskers entertain passers-by and the streets are full of people partaking in a spot of retail therapy.

Just a short walk away from Courtenay Place is another location that offers excitement day and night, the eclectic Cuba Street.

This is Wellingtons most colourful street and is home to quirky stores and cafes, plus art galleries and the famous Bucket Fountain. Bucket Fountain is an odd sculpture that consists of buckets which fill with water until they tip, splashing the water into the buckets below.

The Cuba precinct has been labelled Wellington's cultural centre, and Cuba Street, with its bohemian vibe, is among the best-known and most popular streets in the city.

Wander down Cuba Street and discover vintage treasures, record shops, and bookshops, in an environment where anyone and everyone is welcome. With its abundance of great cafés, restaurants, bars, and entertainment, you may well end up spending most of your time on it.

Stay In Te Aro If:

• You enjoy nightlife
• You want to visit the quirky Cuba Street
• You enjoy shopping
  

The charming 4-star Naumi Studio is located right on the funky Cuba Street, so is perfect for when you want to stay out late. The heritage building featuring classic architecture is decorated with the art of talented New Zealand artists and designers.

Naumi Studio Wellington's rooms have all been wonderfully renovated with a contemporary spin and include a flat-screen Smart TV with Netflix, free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, a mini-fridge, and a modern bathroom. All rooms are also serviced daily.

The hotel has a restaurant serving delicious pan-Asian dishes made with a range of local ingredients, plus an extensive drink menu.

There is also a cosy bar in the heart of the hotel, surrounded by lounge areas, which serves a selection of drinks, as well as bar food in the evenings.

The Naumi Studio Wellington is also just a 15-minute drive from Wellington Airport.

Miramar is a suburb situated south-east of the city centre, on the Miramar Peninsula. With miles of sandy beaches and stunning scenery, Miramar is a much calmer, peaceful area than the previous locations mentioned.

Because of this, Miramar is probably the best area to stay in Wellington for families. It also gets much better weather than other areas of Wellington, so if you plan on hitting the beach or partaking in other outdoor activities, this may be the ideal spot for you to stay.

One of Wellingtons' best-loved beaches, Scorching Bay, is a beautiful, sandy beach, located on the Miramar Peninsula, and is highly popular with families.

There is a café at the beach, but you may prefer to bring some drinks and snacks of your own, as Scorching Bay is also a popular picnic spot.

Whether you want to swim in the crystal-clear waters, or relax on the large, grassed area and soak up the sun, Scorching Bay makes a great day out for those of all ages.

When you’ve had your fill of sand and sea, there are plenty of other things to do in Miramar besides chilling on the beach.

Miramar is the home of Wellington’s film industry. It is not only home to the world-famous Weta Workshop, but also the luxurious Roxy Cinema, a beautifully designed, art deco multi-arts venue.

The renowned Weta Workshop is by far the most popular attraction in Miramar. Weta Workshop creates physical effects for some of the world’s most renowned films and TV shows, including the Lord of the Rings and Avatar.

Get up close and personal with the workshop’s incredible props and models, including items from Middle-Earth.

The workshop also offers tours that allow you to check out some of the amazing prosthetics used in films, learn special effect secrets, and go behind the scenes to discover how the movies are made.

If you’re a Lord of the Ring’s fan, check out our article on Lord of the Rings film locations across New Zealand. Miramar is also an ideal location if you want to be nearby the airport, as Wellington Airport is just a stone's throw away.

Stay In Miramar If:

• You are travelling as a family
• You are a movie fan
• You want to be close to the airport
  

Conveniently located just a 3-minute drive from Weta Workshop and a 5-minute walk to Wellington Airport, Airport Motor Lodge offers modern, relaxed accommodation. With fully soundproofed rooms, you won’t be disturbed by any planes taking off or landing nearby.

Each room features air conditioning and heating, plus a refrigerator, minibar, tea and coffee making facilities, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi. All rooms boast en suite bathrooms and upgraded rooms add whirlpool baths.

There is no onsite restaurant, however, a continental or cooked breakfast can be served in-room for a fee and there are several lovely cafes close by. The hotel also provides free onsite parking for guests.

While not a suburb in Wellington, Lower Hutt is a city in the Wellington Region. Around 9 miles (14 km) northeast of Wellington, Lower Hutt is the perfect location for those who want to be close to New Zealand’s capital but stay in a more relaxed and quieter environment.

Accommodation in Lower Hutt tends to be much cheaper than in the centre of Wellington too. For this reason, it is the best area to stay in Wellington on a budget.

If you decide to set up base in Lower Hutt, Wellington can easily be reached by train, bus, or even a ferry from one of Lower Hutt’s picturesque seaside towns.

The region boasts many picturesque walking and cycling trails, as well as expansive coastal views. Lower Hutt is also home to some lovely beaches, one of these being Day’s Bay beach, which is around a 15-minute drive from Lower Hutt’s city centre.

Day’s Bay is a residential, seaside area, and is the perfect place to unwind in the sun or enjoy one of its many great cafes. It is a particularly popular spot during the warmer months, with countless people swimming and picnicking on the beach.

If you’re the adventurous type and would prefer an action-packed day, you can always hire a kayak, paddleboard, or bike. Aside from the outdoor adventures that are widely available in this region, there are many other activities to keep you busy too.

For example, the Lower Hutt suburb of Petone is a great location to visit if you’re into history. Petone was the Wellington region’s first colonial settlement and is home to historic attractions and architecture.

Why not pay a visit to the Petone Settlers Museum that sits on the shore of Wellington Harbour? Find out about the region’s fascinating history and discover stories from early European settlers, plus learn about some of the local people and communities.

Stay In Lower Hutt If:

• You are on a budget
• If you enjoy outdoor activities
• You want to stay in a quieter area
  

Located in Petone, just an 8-minute walk from the Settlers Museum, Quest Petone offers apartment-style hotel rooms that are relaxed and comfortable. At the property, there are 42 serviced apartments, including studios, and one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Each apartment features a kitchenette, so you can cook in the comfort of your own room. Or, if you prefer to eat out, there are plenty of pubs, cafés, and restaurants all within an easy walk of the hotel.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and the apartments’ bathroom is equipped with a walk-in shower and complimentary toiletries. Rooms also feature a TV, safe, air conditioning/heating, and guests can access the on-site gym.

Quest Petone is within walking distance to Wellington Harbour and Wellington Airport is around 12 miles (20 km) from the property.

Wellington is a wonderful destination full of exciting things to do. Despite its small size, you may still have a preference on what location would allow you to make the most of your time and maximise your enjoyment.

I hope this article has given you a few ideas of which are the best areas to stay in Wellington to best suit your needs and ensure you can have an amazing trip. Now is the time to start planning your getaway to the capital of New Zealand.