Things to do in Wellington
Wellington packs world-class culture into a walkable few blocks. See the brilliant Te Papa, go behind the scenes at Weta, ride the historic cable car for a harbour view, wander bohemian Cuba Street, and drink the country's best coffee and craft beer. Add the Beehive, the waterfront and the Mount Victoria lookout and you've a full, culture-rich stay. Here are the essentials.
Te Papa, the cable car & the harbour
Start with the free national museum Te Papa on the waterfront, then ride the historic red cable car up to the Botanic Garden and its lookout. Climb (or drive) Mount Victoria for the classic harbour panorama, and stroll the flat, lively waterfront past the Wellington Museum and City Gallery. It's the perfect first day. See our Wellington tour.
Weta, Cuba Street & Parliament
Wellington is New Zealand's film and arts capital. Go behind the scenes at the Weta workshops in Miramar, browse galleries and theatres, and soak up the bohemian buzz of Cuba Street (don't miss the Bucket Fountain) and Courtenay Place. Take a free guided tour of Parliament and the Beehive, and time your visit for one of the city's many festivals. See our Weta & film guide.
Zealandia, Oriental Bay & the lookouts
Nature is minutes away. The Zealandia eco-sanctuary shelters kiwi and rare native birds just above the city, the Botanic Garden rewards a wander, and Oriental Bay offers a city beach and harbour swim. For the best views, head up Mount Victoria or the town-belt tracks. It's a city that mixes culture and the outdoors beautifully. See our day trips guide.
Things to do in Wellington: your questions
Visit the free Te Papa museum; go behind the scenes at Weta; ride the historic cable car to the Botanic Garden; take in the harbour from the Mount Victoria lookout; wander bohemian Cuba Street and the waterfront; and dive into the city's famous coffee and craft beer. See our Wellington tour.
A great day pairs Te Papa and the waterfront with a cable car ride up to the Botanic Garden, lunch on Cuba Street, and the Mount Victoria lookout for the harbour view. Add a coffee crawl and a craft-beer bar in the evening. It's compact and walkable, so you fit a lot in. With more time, add Weta and Zealandia. See our cable car & Zealandia guide.
Yes — New Zealand's Parliament, including the distinctive Beehive building, offers free guided tours most days, covering the history, architecture and workings of government. It's a short walk from the railway station and Lambton Quay. A quick, worthwhile stop for anyone interested in how the country is run. See our Te Papa & museums guide.
Very — the central city is compact and flat along the waterfront, and the main "Golden Mile" (Lambton Quay through to Courtenay Place) links most of the sights on foot. The hills add character (and the cable car helps), but you can see Te Papa, the waterfront, Cuba Street and the harbour easily without a car. See our getting around guide.
The waterfront is the city's playground — stroll from Te Papa past Frank Kitts Park and the City to Sea Bridge, visit the Wellington Museum and City Gallery, watch divers off the wharves in summer, and relax at Oriental Bay beach. There are cafés, harbour cruises and events all along it. It's flat, scenic and made for a wander. See our food & coffee guide.