Wellington Ever Eventful
Wellington’s autumn days are often warm and settled. Summer takes a while to die away in the region so it’s not uncommon to see locals keeping the beaches and rivers busy well into April. Even when the sun finally softens, the region still boasts crisp days and temperate nights. It’s the perfect setting for a busy events calendar.
Wellington has two powerhouse exhibitions on offer. Tākina Convention & Exhibition Centre has mounted a huge Wellington exclusive exhibition. Marvel: Earth’s Mightiest Exhibition | Te Whakaaturanga Mārohirohi o Te Ao lets you explore the characters and stories in the Marvel Universe. This world-premiere exhibition gives you a behind-the scenes look at Marvel’s 80-year history. Featuring interactive stations, original comic art, film props, and costumes, it’s an immersive experience. Discover the history behind the creation of Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, The Fantastic Four, X-Men, Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy, and many more. Heading outside and along the waterfront you can experience an expanded Marvel Universe. Behind Te Papa near Chaffers Marina, you’ll find a giant sculpture. It’s a huge ‘WELL_NGTON’ sign with the ‘I’ missing. Stand on the platform where the ‘I’ should be and complete the word. Its current covering shimmers with iridescent Marvel characters and changes colour as you move around it. Further north along the waterfront, there’s another fun sculpture pointing to the Marvel exhibition. Thor’s mighty hammer has landed on a grassy knoll at Whairepo Lagoon. Are you worthy enough to wield the largest Thor hammer in the world?
While you’re out and about, pop into Te Papa to find a giant 30-metrelong dinosaur. Ngā Taniwha o Rūpapa | Dinosaurs of Patagonia contains some of the most important dinosaur discoveries of our time. Along with fossils and casts of bones discovered in Patagonia in South America, you’ll see one of the biggest dinosaur bones on the planet. The 2.4-metre-long, half-ton thigh bone comes from the Patagotitan. The 30-metre-long herbivore was said to weigh the equivalent of over 14 elephants. The replica skeletons on display are made using 3D scanning and offer unparalleled detail and scale. There’s a slew of great festivals heading Wellington’s way across autumn as well. Kicking off the season is Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts. The biennial extravaganza presents cutting-edge theatre, dance, concerts, and big multi-disciplinary public events. Multiple Wellington venues are used across the festival which begins 23 February and runs until 17 March. Contemporary dance lovers will delight in the Akram Khan Company from the United Kingdom. Their ‘Jungle Book reimagined’ is a thought- provoking re-telling of the Kipling classic.
Other festivals include Māoriland Film Festival in Ōtaki. The Kāpiti Coast town hosts the global celebration of cinema on 20 March. It celebrates diversity, creativity, and the power of Indigenous storytelling. If you want to head outside, then there are plenty of street festivals on offer as well. Cubadupa attracts a lively and colourful crowd of thousands to the inner-city Cuba Street precinct 23 – 24 March.
Wellington has a wonderful selection of bars and restaurants with a chilled atmosphere. Elixir on Chews Lane provides a cosy oasis among the busy offices and apartment blocks on neighbouring Willis Street. It also boasts the only full kitchen attached to a cocktail bar. The menu is short but action-packed. Rosella in Mount Victoria has a share-style menu inspired by the Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa. The tap cocktails on offer are complimented by a large wine list that’s as diverse as Wellington’s weather. Based in quirky Aro Valley, you’ll find the Garage Project Tap Room. Across the road from the brewery’s original site and cellar door (a disused petrol station garage), it’s a popular local watering hole, and a great place to sample Garage Project’s latest creations. The Aro Cellar Door offers freshly crafted beer straight from the source. There are 18 taps, cans, bottles, and special cellar brews and wild creations.
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. To begin planning your ideal autumn in the Wellington region visit WellingtonNZ.com
