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Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, is often overshadowed by Auckland and Queenstown. However, if you are taking the ferry over to the South Island, this will be the place you depart from. I spent a week in Wellington, and found it to be a charming and fun city packed with awesome things to do. So here is what to do in Wellington to make sure you love it as much as I did!
Where is Wellington?
Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand, and can be found at the southernmost point of the North Island of New Zealand. It is on the edge of Cook Strait, which is the body of water that separates the North and South Islands. Therefore, it is from here that the Interislander ferries depart for the crossing to the South Island.
Even though it is the capital, it is actually a fairly small and compact city. It is very walkable and full of great places to eat and drink, as well as tons to do. Read on to discover exactly what to do in Wellington for an unforgettable trip!
Fun Facts about Wellington
Before diving into what to do in Wellington, here are some fun facts about the city to get to know it even better!
- It is the windiest capital and indeed the windiest city in the world by average wind speed. Meaning its nickname of ‘Windy Wellington’ is well earned.
- Wellington is the world’s southernmost capital city.
- Wellington has more cafรฉs per capita than New York City.
- The city’s Mฤori name, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, translates to “the great harbour of Tara,” named after a legendary Mฤori explorer.
- Wellington sits on a major fault line, the Wellington Fault, making it one of the more seismically active capital cities in the world.
How to get to Wellington
Wellington is located at the end of the North Island, and there are plenty of options for getting there.
Transport Options to get to Wellington
Kiwi Experience
I travelled to Wellington from Taupo on the Kiwi Experience bus (you can read all about this way of travelling here: Kiwi Experience review: what it is really like to travel around New Zealand with Kiwi Experience). However, there are multiple ways to get to Wellington.
By car
Getting to Wellington by car is straightforward, though parking in the city centre can be competitive and is paid throughout the day. There are car parks and on-street spaces available across the CBD, so it’s worth planning and budgeting for parking costs.
I use Discover Cars, which offers great options across New Zealand.
From Auckland: It’s around an 8 to 9-hour drive south along State Highway 1, passing through Hamilton and the central North Island. It’s a long drive, but a great road trip with plenty of stops along the way.
From Rotorua: Around 4.5 to 5 hours south via State Highway 1, a straightforward and scenic drive through the heart of the North Island.
From Taupล: Just under 4 hours south on State Highway 1. It is an easy and enjoyable drive through some stunning central North Island scenery.
From Napier: Around 3 to 3.5 hours along State Highway 2, a beautiful coastal and inland route through Hawke’s Bay and the Wairarapa.
By bus
Travelling to Wellington by bus is a convenient and budget-friendly option, especially if you’re coming from major hubs like Auckland, Rotorua, Napier or Palmerston North. Intercity and other coach services run regular routes into Wellington, with comfortable seating and luggage allowance included. It’s a relaxed way to take in the scenery of the North Island without having to worry about driving. Journey times vary. From Auckland, expect it to take around 8 to 9 hours, while from Palmerston North it’s a much shorter 2 hours.
By plane
Wellington Airport is one of New Zealand’s main domestic hubs, with frequent flights connecting the capital to Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and other destinations. Flight time from Auckland is around one hour, making it one of the quickest and most popular ways to reach the city. The airport is just 8km from the city centre, and taxis, rideshares and a regular bus service make getting into town quick and easy.
Where to stay in Wellington
There are plenty of options for where to stay in Wellington, to suit every budget. Here are some of the best:
HOTELS IN WELLINGTON:
BUDGET: The Marion – A boutique hostel with comfy beds, a roof terrace and great places to relax. Geniunely one of the best hostels I stayed in during my time in NZ.
MID-RANGE: Wellesley Hotel – A beautiful neo-Georgian building. It has a genteel cafe and bar on-site and is centrally located.
LUXURY: Sofitel – Set among greenery, but in a city centre location, with beautiful restaurants and a bar on site.
BOUTIQUE: Ohtel Wellington – A firm favourite. It is a small, design-led hotel on Wellington’s seafront promenade with just 10 guest rooms. Giving an intimate and stylish harbour view stay
What to do in Wellington
What to do in Wellington? The city is cool, quirky and has something for everyone.
Climb Mount Victoria Lookout
Heading up the viewpoint at Mount Victoria is one of the ‘what to do in Wellington’ must-dos! The view from the top is one of the best in Wellington, and gives you a great perspective of the harbour location of the city.
There are two main access points from the city centre, one on Lawson Street, which begins with stairs, and the other from Oriental Bay, which has a steep gradient. It takes around 30 – 45 minutes to reach the viewpoint, passing through a historic pine forest on the way.
“Get off the Road”
While climbing to the Mount Victoria Lookout, fans of The Lord of the Rings can’t miss the stop at the famous Hobbit’s hideaway. This is where the very first scene of the trilogy was filmed โ the Hobbits hiding from the Nazgul. The tree itself was actually a prop used for the film, so you might need a little bit of imagination to picture the scene. This spot is also right next to where Frodo yells, โGet off the roadโ. Easy to find, thanks to this Google Maps location.
Top Tip: If you want to plan a tour of the various filming locations for The Lord of the Rings in New Zealand, use this guide to help:
Lord of the Rings Filming Locations In New Zealand
Take a Lord of the Rings Tour
If you are a fan of The Lord of the Rings, then this day tour is not to be missed. It was one of my favourite days in all of my time in New Zealand! The tour starts with being collected in Wellington, and then visits the Hutt River (River Anduin), Kaitoke Regional Park (Rivendell), and Harcourt Park (Isengard Gardens) in the morning. After lunch, you are taken to Wฤtฤ Workshop and then to filming locations in Mount Victoria.
While the Wฤtฤ Workshop and Mount Victoria locations could be visited independently, the insider knowledge is SO extensive and interesting. The company’s owner was an extra in the films and has a lot to share. My notes section after this tour is extensive!
Visit the Wฤtฤ Workshop
If you aren’t able to go on The Lord of the Rings tour, then a trip to the Wฤtฤ Workshop should still be on your list of what to do in Wellington. The company was established in 1987 and produces props and minatures for films, but became famous after its involvement in The Lord of the Rings. Their location in Miramar is the original, and still functioning, workshops. This is the heart of Wellington’s film industry, and driving through, you can see indoor sound stages and studios. Other famous films, such as Avatar and King Kong, were also produced here.
The tour of Wฤtฤ Workshop lasts around 45 minutes and is led by people who work there. You get the chance to get up close and personal with props, learn about the process for making a lot of the items, and see the minatures in real life. A really interesting insight into the films and the industry. Plus, the gift shop is excellent!
Top Tip: Combine a visit to Wฤtฤ Workshop with this half-day tour of Mount Victoria, which adds a layer of insider film knowledge!
Wander Cuba Street – What to do in Wellington
No visit to Wellington is complete without spending some time on Cuba Street. This is the centre of the vibrant food, coffee and drink culture that Wellington is known for. It is a partly pedestrianised street that is full of cafรฉs, restaurants, independent shops, record stores, bookshops, and heritage architecture. All gives it a certain quirky vibe.
I would definitely recommend spending a couple of hours here, giving you time to wander in and out of the shops and grab a coffee. But you wouldn’t need too much more than this.
Sample Wellington’s World-Class Coffee Scene
Coffee culture in Wellington is strong. As mentioned before, Wellington has more cafรฉs per capita than New York City, and locals are very serious about their morning coffee. Because of this, there are an abundance of great coffee shops to check out.
Some of the favourites are:
- Customs: Some of the finest coffee in the city. The menu is simple, and the cafe is small but inviting. Serving Coffee Supremeโs namesake blend, Supreme, as well as a range of filter coffee and iced drinks.
- Flight Coffee Hangar: Speciality coffee in Te Aro, this cafe is known for its coffee, breakfast, brunch and lunch. If you are really serious about coffee, they also offer a flight tasting to try three different offerings.
- Havana Coffee Works: Housed in a 1959 Art Deco building with Cuban-inspired dรฉcor, you can watch and smell the beans being roasted while you sip your brew. Leading the coffee revolution in NZ.
- L’affare: A Wellington institution since 1990, with an industrial feel and a strong commitment to fair trade coffee
- Evil Twins: A small but punchy cafรฉ on Willis Street, known for its community feel and wildly popular jarred iced drinks, perfect for sharing.
But with so many fantastic coffee shops, you could really pick any and have a great coffee!
Follow the Craft Beer Trail – What to do in Wellington
Something else that Wellington takes seriously is its craft beer scene, and the city is known as New Zealand’s craft beer capital. With many of the bars being independent, they range from local neighbourhood bars to taprooms where you can see the brewing in progress.
There is an official Craft Beer Capital Trail which you can follow. This is a self-guided tour which takes in 19 craft beers, 15 craft beer breweries and 2 bottle stores. There are north and south sections, and both can be followed on foot while you collect stamps along the way.
Eat Your Way Around Courtenay Place
Courtenay Place is the spot to go to for all things food and drink! Many of the restaurants and bars are open until late, and there is a real buzz to the area. As well as restaurants, there are also bars, clubs and theatres in the area. It is located in the heart of Te Aro, and it connects to Cuba Street. Whatever you are in the mood for, be it Asian, Italian or Mexican, there will be a restaurant for you.
Ride The Wellington Cable Car – What to do in Wellington
One of the most iconic things to do in Wellington is take a ride on the famous red Wellington Cable Car. It has been taking visitors up and down Kelburn Hill since 1902, and, while a short ride, it is such a fun thing to do in the city. It is also fairly inexpensive; a standard adult return ticket costs $12 NZD, while a one-way ticket is $6.50 NZD. Children (ages 5-15) pay lower fares, and those under 5 travel free.
Catch the cable car from Lamton Quway, and it climbs 120 M in under five minutes, and goes through tunnels which are lit up. At the top, you will reach the Botanic Gardens, so the cable car saves you a hike!
Botanic Gardens – What to do in Wellington
You can find the Botanic Gardens in Wellington, located on top of a hill above the city centre. It was established in 1844 and covers an area of 25 hectares. A beautiful place to wander, as it is home to some of the oldest exotic trees in New Zealand, as well as a duck pond, Begonia House with a cafe and a herb garden, and the Lady Norwood Rose Garden.
The best way to visit is to take the cable car up to the top and walk back down through the gardens into the city. It’s a lovely, easy downhill stroll and one of the nicest ways to see the area. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views across the city and harbour. And keep an eye out for glowworm caves! The best bit is that the park is completely free to enter.
Discover Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary – What to do in Wellington
Zealandia is quite an incredible wildlife sanctuary, which is part of an ambitious 500-year project to restore the area to how it was pre-humans! Visit Zealandia during the day for a chance to spot rare birds like tiekes, takahฤ and kฤkฤ, or if you go at night, you might have a chance to spot the nocturnal kiwi. The entire area is fenced off with pest-proof fencing to allow the natural species to thrive.
You can get there via the Wellington Cable Car, and then there is a free shuttle bus from the top. There is also a public bus from the city centre, or alternatively, it is a roughly 30โ40 minute walk (approx 3km) uphill from the city centre.
Explore Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand)
Whether you are into museums or not, the Te Papa Tongarrewa (the Museum of New Zealand) is well worth a visit. The museum has over two million objects and is a wonderful place to learn about the heritage of Mฤori people and Pacific history.
The Gallipoli Exhibit was one of the most interesting, with huge, larger-than-life-sized models, created by none other than Wฤtฤ Workshop. The exhibition tells the story of the Gallipoli campaign in World War I through the eyes and words of eight ordinary New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances.
Walk the Wellington Waterfront – What to do in Wellington
One of the best and most enjoyable free things to do in Wellington is taking a stroll along the waterfront. The walking path runs along the harbour from Queens Wharf all the way to Oriental Bay Beach. Making it a 2km walk that takes around 30 minutes one way.
It’s a lovely way to experience Wellington, with joggers, buskers, dog walkers, tourists, beachgoers, and even waka canoe paddlers. Along the way, you’ll pass Te Papa, cross the Love Lock Bridge, and have the chance to see and photograph several sculptures, including the much-loved Solace in the Wind, which is a bronze figure leaning dramatically into the harbour breeze. In the summer, there are also waterfront beanbags scattered along the wharf. The whole strip is lined with cafรฉs, bars and restaurants, so there are plenty of spots to stop and refuel along the way.
See the Seals at Red Rocks – What to do in Wellington
For a great half-day trip out of the city, head to the Red Rocks Reserve along Wellington’s slightly wild south coast. The 7.4km coastal trail runs from ลwhiro Bay out to Sinclair Head. Here, a colony of New Zealand fur seals can be found basking on the rocks. On a clear day, you can even see across the Cook Strait to the South Island. The best time to visit is May to September when the chances of seeing the seals are highest. This is when the bachelor males gather.
Getting there is straightforward. It is around a 15-minute drive from the city centre. There is free parking at the Te Kopahou Visitor Centre at the start of the trail. If you don’t have a car, the number 29 bus from the city centre drops you at Happy Valley Road. Then from there it’s a short walk to the trailhead.
Tour the New Zealand Parliament (The Beehive)
If you are interested in politics, then a tour around New Zealand’s Parliament building is one of the ‘what to do in Wellington’ items that would be of great interest! The executive wing is located on the corner of Molesworth Street and Lambton Quay, and is known as the Beehive due to it’s archietcture resemebling a particular old type of straw or wicker beehive called a skep.
If you want a peek behind the scenes, then they offer a free one-hour tour, which is hourly and give you an overview of parliamentary processes as well as the history of the architecture. There are also plenty of other tour options, including one for kids, women in parliament, arts and objects, and a Mฤori history tour of Parliament. All need to be booked in advance.
Visit Old St. Paul’s Cathedral – What to do in Wellington
Old St Paul’s is one of Wellington’s most unusual hidden gems, a Gothic Revival church dating back to 1866 and instantly recognisable for its beautiful timber architecture. Unlike the stone Gothic churches you might expect, the entire interior is made from native New Zealand woods, including rimu and kauri, giving it a unique character. Entry is free, so it’s perfect for popping in. There are also tours available if you want to learn more about the history, including the battle to save it from demolition.
Take a Day Trip to the Wairarapa Wine Region
If you have a spare day in Wellington, the Wairarapa wine region is well worth the trip. It is just an hour’s drive or train ride from Wellington, which makes it an easy day out. The main town to head to is Martinborough, which is the heart of the wine region. The wineries here are spread across the area between Martinborough, Gladstone, and Masterton, and many are within walking distance of each other, so you can get between them without needing a car once you’re there. The region is best known for its Pinot Noir, but there are plenty of great whites on offer too.
Top Tip: For ease and all the inside knowledge, book onto a tour such as THIS ONE, which visits three of the region’s top wineries.
Bonus! Find the Wฤtฤ Installations in Wellington Airport
Being at Wellington Airport means you are most likely at the end of your time in the city. However, there is still one fun ‘what to do in Wellington’ thing to tick off your bucket list. Wellington Airport is home to some impressive installations which were also created by Wฤtฤ Workshop! When I flew, this was Gandalf flying on an eagle, depicting the famous scene from The Lord of the Rings. In November 2025, these were replaced by an impressive new centrepiece: an illuminated artwork sculpture representing the local bird spirit Manu Muramura. You can also find Smaug at check-in!
Bonus! Take the Interislander Ferry to the South Island
One of the main reasons you might be in Wellington is to take the Interislander Ferry over to the South Island, and it is an experience in its own right. The crossing takes around 3.5 hours, and it is not just a way to get between the islands; it is often described as one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world.
The highlight is sailing through the Marlborough Sounds as you approach Picton, where the scenery is stunning and well worth being on deck for, wind permitting! On board, you’ll find restaurants, a cinema, free kids’ activities, and a Premium Lounge if you fancy treating yourself for the crossing.
How long should you spend in Wellington?
I had just over a week in the city, and this gave me ample time to see all the things I wanted, as well as explore the restaurants and cafes at a relaxed pace. I would recommend around 2-3 days in Wellington to explore the main attractions and museums. While 1 day is enough to see the city centre, allow for a couple more to visit places such as Te Papa, Wฤtฤ and the wineries.
Heading to the North Island of New Zealand? These posts will be helpful:
What to do in Paihia: Why Paihia and the Bay of Islands Need a Spot on Your New Zealand Itinerary
Visiting Hobbiton: Step Inside the Real Middle-earth in New Zealand
Tongariro Crossing Guide: Everything You Need to Know for Your Epic Hike
What to do in Taupo: the 18 Most Amazing Things
Useful travel tools and links
To help you plan your trip, here are some of my favourite useful travel tools and links I use on a daily basis to travel:
- Hostelworld: The place to book hostels and cheaper accommodation. Perfect for backpacking trips. With 24 hour cancellation options, and easy to manage from your account.
- Booking.com: One of the largest places to search for hotels around the world. Often with free cancellation options.
- Hotels.com: Also a fantastic place to source hotels, and they offer a loyalty programme.
- Expedia: Another option for hotels as well as a great place to search for flights, car hire and more.
- Skyscanner: The best place to search for flights to find the best rates.
- GetYourGuide: Easy access to book a wide range of curated tours, activities, and experiences around the world.
- Viator: A great place to search for group tours and day trips. Part of the TripAdvisor brand.
- KnowRoaming: eSIMs are a game changer for travel. Purchase before you go and be connected as soon as you land. KnowRoaming eSIM plans keep you and your devices seamlessly connected in 200+ international destinations.
- G Adventures: The ‘go to’ for all group travel tour adventures. Perfect for solo travellers.
- Amazon: Link to my storefront with ALL the useful gadgets and items I couldn’t travel without.
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