Wellington City Activities Attractions Travel Guide Weather
Discover The Best Activities, Attractions, And Experiences In Wellington City
Video Volume
Turn sound on for local tips, highlights, and hidden gems.

Filter results by Area, Activity and Rating

Refine your search

Activities Icon Activities
Attractions Icon Attractions
Rating Icon Ratings
Rating Icon Sort by

Free cancellation: Get a full refund of ticket price up to 24 hours in advance.

Things to do in Wellington City

Wellington buzzes with delicatessens, cafes, and restaurants. It's a city that enjoys gourmet food and fine wine. Known as the culinary capital of New Zealand, Wellington is famous for its tucked-away bars, quirky cafes, award-winning restaurants, and great coffee. Relax at Oriental Bay, Wellington's golden-sand inner-city beach, and delve into the... Show More

Tourist Information About Wellington City

Wellington Attractions & Activities by Area

Popular in Wellington City

Activities and Attractions in Wellington City

Martinborough Wine Tour

Martinborough Wine Tour

Lunch and wine tastings at Poppies Winery with a platter of local delicacies

Wellington Full Day Tour

Wellington Full Day Tour

Mt Victoria views of the city and harbour

Martinborough Half Day Winery Tour from Wellington

Martinborough Half Day Winery Tour from Welli...

Sample amazing locally made wines from one of the best pinot noir producing regions of the world

Remutaka Rail Trail Mountain Bike Explorer Day Trip

Remutaka Rail Trail Mountain Bike Explorer Da...

Cycle through Summit Tunnel - 584 metres long

Wellington Bike Rental Hub
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Includes 48-hour international visitor entry fee

Wharekauhau Heli Lunch
Bay of Many Coves Heli-lunch

Bay of Many Coves Heli-lunch

Scenic Helicopter Flight from Wellington City to Marlborough Sounds

A Round at WellyPutt Mini Golf

A Round at WellyPutt Mini Golf

Experience Our Mind-Blowing 16 Hole Course!

Atlantis Escape Room Adventure

Atlantis Escape Room Adventure

The Largest Escape Room in Town: Beautifully themed game, featuring tactile and electronic puzzles.

Ancient Temple Escape Room Adventure

Ancient Temple Escape Room Adventure

Designed for smaller teams, gorgeously themed, jammed with tactile and electronic puzzles.

Spaceship Escape Room Adventure

Spaceship Escape Room Adventure

Gorgeously themed, jammed with tactile and electronic, high-tech puzzles.

Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour

Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour

visits to three of the finest craft breweries in the Wellington region

Wellington's Asian Walking Food Odyssey

Wellington's Asian Walking Food Odyssey

Savour the flavours of Asia with 5-6 tastings on our guided tour

Wellington's Chocoholics Walking Odyssey

Wellington's Chocoholics Walking Odyssey

Let us show you the local chocolate sensations

Wellington's Historical Walking Odyssey

Wellington's Historical Walking Odyssey

Step back in time and soak up the history of Wellington

Wellington Commentated Harbour Tour

Wellington Commentated Harbour Tour

Take in stunning scenery while learning about Wellingtons natural and maritime history

Play Pinball in New Zealand's Best Arcade!

Play Pinball in New Zealand's Best Arcade!

Beautifully presented interactive mechanical artworks, dating from the early 80's to brand new

Find your perfect Wellington City experience

Explore Top Activities in Wellington City

Activities in Wellington City

Discover More
Explore Top Attractions in Wellington City

Attractions in Wellington City

Discover More

Travel Guides

Frequently Asked Questions about Wellington City

Where is Wellington city located?

Wellington City is located at the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island, along the shores of Wellington Harbour (Te Whanganui-a-Tara). It sits between rolling hills and a natural deep-water harbour, making it both scenic and compact.

What is Wellington City best known for?

Wellington City is best known as New Zealand’s capital, famous for its creative culture, vibrant food scene, film industry, and scenic harbour.

What is the best time of year to visit Wellington?

The shoulder seasons of autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) are often cited as the best times to visit. Autumn, in particular, is frequently described as having the most settled weather, with lighter winds and golden light perfect for photography. Summer (December to February) offers the warmest temperatures and a bustling events calendar, though it attracts higher visitor numbers.   

How many days should I plan for my Wellington trip?

Most visitors should plan 2 to 3 days for a Wellington trip. This allows enough time to explore key highlights such as Te Papa Museum, the waterfront, the cable car, popular food spots, and nearby scenic viewpoints. If you want to include day trips or explore at a slower pace, 4 days is ideal.

Is Wellington family-friendly?

The city offers a wide range of activities and attractions suitable for children and adults alike, including interactive museums (like Te Papa), playgrounds, wildlife experiences, beaches, scenic walks, and easy-to-navigate public spaces. It’s also compact and walkable, making it convenient for families to explore together.

How do I get to Wellington City?

You can get to Wellington City by plane, ferry, bus, train, or car, with easy access from nearby cities like Auckland and Christchurch.

Does Wellington have an international airport?

Yes, Wellington has Wellington International Airport, which handles both domestic flights across New Zealand and a few international flights.

What are Wellington’s must-see attractions?

Wellington, New Zealand’s vibrant capital, offers a mix of culture, history, and scenic beauty. Highlights include the Wellington Full Day Tour and Historical Walking Odyssey for city exploration, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa for interactive exhibits, and the Asian Walking Food Odyssey for culinary delights. Nature lovers can enjoy the From Cave to Coast tour, while the City Highlights and Commentated Harbour Tour showcase iconic sights and stunning waterfront views.

Tourist Information About Wellington City

Wellington buzzes with delicatessens, cafes, and restaurants. It's a city that enjoys gourmet food and fine wine. Known as the culinary capital of New Zealand, Wellington is famous for its tucked-away bars, quirky cafes, award-winning restaurants, and great coffee. Relax at Oriental Bay, Wellington's golden-sand inner-city beach, and delve into the many museums, art galleries, and theatre shows that make up the city's pulsing cultural scene. If you're into the outdoors, Wellington has action-packed adventure activities like mountain biking and sea-water kayaking, as well as beautiful walks around the harbour and surrounding hills. Wellington is the southernmost city on New Zealand's North Island, and a gateway to the South Island by regular Ferry.


Best Attractions and free things to do in Wellington City



Seal Coast Safari

1. Seal Coast Safari

Nothing compares to the 4WD Seal Coast Safari to Wellington's craggy Southern Point, often known as the Seal Coast, for intriguing sights, breath-taking views, and a herd of beautiful seals. Bring a rain jacket, suitable walking shoes, and a camera to record all of the thrilling moments to get the most out of your trip.

 
Wellingtons Half Day Food Tour

2. Wellington's Half-Day Food Tour

Come on a half-day culinary tour of the world's coolest little capital and sample your way through this fantastic city, where the coffee and craft beer culture has crowned Wellington as New Zealand's coffee and craft beer capital.

There are many other tours to embark on in Wellington that will leave you wanting to do it all over again! Such as this Wellington Full Day Tour, the Walking Food Tour of Wellington, the Wellington Cocktail Tour, and the Martinborough Wine Tour.

 
Mount Victoria Lookout

3. Mount Victoria Lookout

The views from the summit of Mount Victoria, or Mt Vic as the locals call it, are the greatest way to look over the city. The Mount Victoria Lookout, which rises 196 meters above the city and is part of the Southern Walkway route, offers excellent panoramic views of Wellington city, harbor, and hills. You may drive to the summit of Mt Vic or hike there on one of the several Town Belt routes. Bring a picnic and relax on the hillside while watching ferries and cruise ships enter the harbor and planes fly in and out of the airport. Mt Vic is also a great place to see the dawn or sunset in the city.

 
Wellington waterfront

4. Wellington waterfront

The waterfront in Wellington is like the city's backyard, where everyone congregates to relax and engage in leisure activities. A large pathway goes from the Railway Station to Oriental Bay and beyond, making it a fantastic spot to stroll, jog, or cycle.

Many public sculptures, park seats, and places to stop for coffee or gelato may be found along the road. On bright days, head to the Taranaki Wharf to witness swimmers leap from an eight-meter-high diving platform.

 
Wellington Museum

5. Wellington Museum

One of New Zealand's most architecturally noteworthy structures may be found while walking along Wellington's shoreline.

Wellington Museum in London, ranked one of the best 50 museums in the world by The Times, is housed in a former freight warehouse. The plaudits are well-deserved: four levels of information about the city affectionately known as 'The Coolest Little Capital in the World' are housed behind this beautiful facade.

 
Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā

6. Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā

There's something to be said about flat, tidy gardens with rows of trees and manicured flower beds extending out in all directions - but Wellington isn't one of them. Like the city itself, Wellington Botanic Garden at Park is a little wilder, a little more unexpected, able to surprise and enchant you whether it's your first or hundredth visit.

The whole 25-hectare central-city park is a labyrinth of meandering walkways and spectacular views, alive with bird and insect life. A flowing waterfall, a magnificent orchid, a prickly succulent right out of Dr. Seuss: there's something to make you gasp around every turn.

 
Old St Paul’s

7. Old St Paul’s

Internationally recognised, this impressive piece of New Zealand history is filled with interesting stories and tranquility.

One of New Zealand's most stunning heritage structures is the Old St Paul's Cathedral. The dark timber walls, stained glass windows, and ancient furnishings create a tranquil and historic ambience, making a visit to the cathedral feel like stepping back in time. Pass beneath soaring arches, observe the elaborate embellishments, learn about a variety of stories, and relax for a while.

The Anglican Church constructed the church between 1865 and 1866 on the site of Pipitea P, a Maori hamlet on Wellington's waterfront that existed at the time. The structure was recognised as a one-of-a-kind wooden Gothic Revival structure on a global scale. It was used as an Anglican Church until 1964, when it was shuttered and demolished.

 
Te Papa

8. Te Papa

If you haven't yet, you must visit the Museum of New Zealand; Te Papa Tongarewa. With six floors of beautiful, cultural, and interactive displays encased in an architectural marvel of a building, this national museum is a top-priority must-see.

If the words "national museum" bring up visions of dusty artifacts in glass cases, you haven't seen Te Papa. Te Papa's innovative, modern, and bicultural approach distinguishes it from other museums, and unlike many others, general admission is free, and the museum is open every day.

 
Wētā Workshop Cave

9. Wētā Workshop Cave

The Wētā Workshop Cave, located in Miramar, a short distance from Wellington's city center, creates physical effects for some of the world's most well-known films and television series, including The Lord of the Rings!

To create Oscar-winning props, costumes, and monster effects, the design and manufacturing factory blends cutting-edge technology with hand-crafted craftsmanship. And, most of all, they welcome visitors who want to observe how the magic is created.

 
Parliament’s free guided tours

10. Parliament’s free guided tours

A guided tour of the New Zealand Parliament has something for everyone, whether you're a New Zealander, an expat, or a guest. Learn key information and anecdotes about our government while walking through the halls of power, where our laws and policies are debated, discussed, drafted, and passed.

There are a variety of free guided tours available every day of the week that take you around various Parliament buildings and provide insight into the parliamentary process. The Introducing Parliament Tour provides a comprehensive introduction and runs every day for an hour. While the precise sections you'll see may change based on what's available to the public on any given day, you'll be sure to get a good look at the structures and learn some intriguing facts.

 

Top Destinations

Explore some of New Zealand’s most popular travel destinations.


Back to Top