Fall in Love With Wellington
When you see what you can do in the region, you’ll fall hard for Wellington this autumn.
The last strains of summer often take a while to disappear in Wellington. Autumn days are still long, and it’s not uncommon to see locals swimming in the bays and beaches well into April. Even when the sun finally softens, the region still boasts crisp days and temperate nights. It’s definitely still the weather to wander and enjoy what the city has to offer.
With Easter holidays around the corner, it’s time to think about how to keep the family amused. Disney: The Magic of Animation is an excellent solution. Experience 100 years of your favourite characters and films at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre. See more than 600 art pieces curated by the team at the Walt Disney Animation Research Library. From 20 February to 13 July you’ll be able to view classics like Mickey Mouse’s first talkie ‘Steamboat Willieʻ (1928) through to modern favourites like ‘Frozen’ (2013) and recent release ‘Moana 2’.
For entertainment indoors this autumn there are multiple events to flag in your diary. The Kia Mau Festival provides two-weeks of dance, theatre, music, and visual art. Contemporary performances are led by Tāngata Whenua, Tāngata Moana, and global Indigenous artists. Among the many acts on offer is Ka Mua Ka Muri, a blend of cultural storytelling and dynamic choreography. Avaiki Nui Social Returns brings string band music from the Cook Islands.
Staying indoors (this time in a cool cinema) the Māoriland Film Festival brings Indigenous stories to the silver screen in Ōtaki. It’s the largest Indigenous film festival in the world and helps cement Wellington’s reputation as a UNESCO City of Film. See over 130 feature films, short films, video works, and documentaries. Running 26 to 30 March it also includes art exhibitions and live performances.
On 26 and 27 April, the hills and trails around Wellington provide an epic adventure ground for athletes. Faultline Ultra serves up an endurance challenge for mountain bikers and runners across six possible routes. Competitors can choose to tackle routes from 6-kilometres up to a colossal 162-kilometres. Wellington’s soaring peaks, rugged ridge lines, and bush-clad hills will be shown off to stunning effect. If you prefer a more leisurely ride, Wellington is home to one of the 23 Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand. The Remutaka Cycle Trail is an exhilarating 122-kilometre trail connecting Wellington to the Wairarapa region. You can ride through railway tunnels, swim rivers, and visit historical sites. Running between the Petone foreshore and Palliser Bay on the Cook Strait you’ll encounter rugged coastlines, native bush, and peaceful farmland.
Wellington packs in a huge range of activities and attractions to enjoy. It is an ever-changing, creative, beautiful and fascinating place to visit and re-visit. You won’t find it hard to tailor your experience to fit your needs, interests, and tastes — the hardest part will betrying to fit everything in. To begin planning your ideal autumn in the Wellington region visit WellingtonNZ.com
