Wellington from Australia: what a trip really costs
What a day costs in Wellington, when to go, the visa for Australians and the sights not to miss. Every figure comes from Trip720's checked data, with its source. Updated 21 Oct 2026.
Plan my Wellington tripDay to day in Wellington, per person
| Style | Food | With transport |
|---|---|---|
| Street food and markets | A$40 | A$51 |
| A balanced mix | A$73 | A$83 |
| Mostly restaurants | A$110 | A$121 |
- Local transport: about A$10 a day. Taxi: A$3 to start, then A$2.32 a km.
- Cooking for yourself: about A$20 a day for food.
Your stay, flights and activities come on top: the planner prices them for your dates. Sources: livingcost.org, en.wikivoyage.org, gobytaxi.com; in AUD at today's rate.
When to go
19°F
19°M
18°A
16°M
14°J
12°J
11°A
12°S
13°O
14°N
15°D
17°
The most pleasant months are November to April. January is the driest month (51 mm of rain) and June the wettest (92 mm).
Bars: rain each month; green: the most pleasant months. Numbers: average daytime high. Source: NASA POWER climatology.
Best time to visit New Zealand, place by placeCompare: Japan or New Zealand · Canada or New Zealand
Visa for Australians
No visa needed for a holiday
Official source: smartraveller.gov.au, checked 2026-10-01. Rules change: your plan checks your own passport when you build it.
Not to miss in Wellington
Te Papa Tongarewamuseum · half a dayFree entry
Wellington Cable Carlandmark · a couple of hoursRide up from Lambton Quay to Kelburn and walk down through the Botanic Garden
- Zealandia ecosanctuarynature reserve · half a day
Guided night tours to see kiwi
Mount Victoria Lookoutviewpoint · a couple of hours
Wellington Botanic Gardengarden · a couple of hours
Cuba Streetstreet · a couple of hours
New Zealand Parliament and the Beehivelandmark · a couple of hoursFree guided tours run daily
Oriental Baybeach · a couple of hours- Wellington Waterfront walkharbour · a couple of hours
Matiu/Somes Islandisland · half a day
From our research of travel guides; ticket prices from Tiqets when we found them. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licences.
Questions travellers ask
How much does a day in Wellington cost?
Food and getting around come to about A$51 a person a day eating street food, A$83 with a balanced mix and A$121 eating mostly in restaurants, before your stay and activities.
When is the best time to visit Wellington?
The most pleasant months are November to April. January is the driest month (51 mm of rain) and June the wettest (92 mm); daytime highs run from 11 to 19 °C over the year.
Do Australians need a visa for New Zealand?
No visa needed for a holiday. Checked on smartraveller.gov.au on 2026-10-01; rules change, so check again before you book.
What should I not miss in Wellington?
Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington Cable Car, Zealandia ecosanctuary, Mount Victoria Lookout, Wellington Botanic Garden.
Your whole Wellington trip, priced from your door
Trip720 adds the flights from Australia, the stays, transfers, food, activities and the visa for your dates and budget, home to home.
Plan my Wellington trip