Wellington is a vibrant city in New Zealand that offers a range of activities and attractions for families with children. Whether you’re travelling by air, sea, road, train or cruise, getting to Wellington with children is easy and hassle-free. Here’s a guide to help you plan your journey.
Getting to Wellington by Air
Flying into Wellington is convenient with direct flights from various destinations, including all major cities in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji. Air New Zealand and Jetstar offer frequent domestic services with flights taking less than an hour from most regional centres. The non-stop flights from eastern Australian cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Gold Coast) take only 3-4 hours. You can book your flights with Air New Zealand, Qantas or Jetstar for a comfortable journey.
Getting to Wellington by Sea
Wellington is a coastal gateway between the North and South islands, and the scenic three-and-a-half hour ferry journey through the Marlborough Sounds is a great experience for children. Interislander and Bluebridge operate regular ferry services between Picton and Wellington with several departure times throughout the day. You can take your vehicle on the ferry, and parking is as easy as driving on and off.
Getting to Wellington by Car
Wellington is situated at the bottom of the North Island, on New Zealand’s two major state highways, SH1 and SH2. The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, a popular driving route, passes through Wellington, and you can follow the brown signs displaying grapes. You can rent a car from major international rental car companies, including Avis, Budget, Hertz, Apex, Omega and Go Rentals.
Getting to Wellington By Train
The Northern Explorer by Great Journeys of New Zealand is a breathtaking rail journey that connects Wellington with Auckland, stopping at Palmerston North, Ohakune, National Park and Hamilton. The nine-hour journey runs three times a week in each direction, taking you through a diverse mix of North Island landscapes. The open-air viewing carriage is an exceptional feature that provides an opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenery with children.
Getting to Wellington by Cruise
Wellington is a popular cruise destination, and over 120 cruise ships visit the city each year. The cruise liners dock at Aotea Quay, which is only a ten-minute shuttle journey to the city centre. Wellington has a compact and walkable downtown area, making it easy to explore the city with children. You can check with travel agents like Flight Centre, House of Travel or Helloworld to see what cruise itineraries visit Wellington.
In conclusion, getting to Wellington with children is simple and stress-free, with various modes of transportation available. Whether you prefer flying, cruising, driving or taking the train, Wellington offers plenty of activities and attractions for families with children.
Find out more about what you can do in Wellington with kids, at our Wellington family-friendly guide.
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