Things to do in Wellington
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Top 10 attractions in Wellington
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa TongarewaIt is the largest museum in the southern hemisphere, located on the waterfront of Wellington. The museum's name in Māori is "Te Papa Tongarewa," meaning "container of treasures." It houses extensive collections of Māori culture, including a Māori meeting house and Pacific art exhibits. If you want to learn about New Zealand's customs and history, this is the place to visit.Museum of New Zealand Te Papa TongarewaThe museum is divided into six floors. The lobby on the first floor is flanked by a museum shop and café, while floors two to six feature exhibitions on different themes, including geology and biology, changes in landforms, Māori survival and culture, folk customs and art, and an outdoor sculpture balcony. The museum offers many engaging interactive displays, such as the earthquake house where visitors can experience the tremors of a quake, get up close with a colossal squid, and watch 3D animations to learn about its life mysteries. There is also a dedicated "discovery center" for children. In addition to these permanent exhibitions, the museum frequently hosts short-term contemporary art and cultural activities, which require separate tickets. The museum building itself is also worth seeing—before leaving, don't forget to admire the expensive architecture and the sculpture in front of it: a tree made of twisted wire that looks remarkably lifelike.Wellington · 660m from downtown
Wellington Cable Car
Come to Wellington and enjoy stunning views of the city and harbour from the cable car. The monorail cable car route is 610 meters long. The cable car departs from the city every 10 minutes. It traverses the highway at a slow and leisurely rhythm that has not changed for a century. The terminal is the Wellington Botanical Garden. A hundred years ago, this cable car was responsible for the transportation connection between the city and the residential area on the mountain. It is still loved by Wellingtonians and has become an eternal urban memory here. Take the cable car to the top of the mountain, lean on the observation deck and look down, and you will have a panoramic view of Wellington. There is a cable car museum next to the lookout, telling the legendary life of this monorail.Wellington · 262m from downtown
Wētā Workshop
Weta Studios is a comprehensive film and television special effects company with a total studio area of 65,000 square feet. Its business scope includes design, professional prop modeling and repair, biological prop production, armor and weapon production, micro-sculpture, large-scale scene, set and costume production. The special effects in the movies "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy", "King Kong", "Avatar" and other films are all from Weta's production team. It is called "Global Cow Special Effects Studio", a behind-the-scenes tour of the movie specially created for movie fans, allowing visitors to walk into the prop dressing room and learn the story behind the movie's special effects.Wellington · 4.5 km from downtown
New Zealand Parliament Buildings
New Zealand Parliament Buildings are the center of New Zealand's parliamentary and government operations and one of the city's most recognizable architectural complexes. The complex consists of three buildings from different eras and styles standing side by side: the Parliamentary Library, completed in 1899, is in the Gothic Revival style, with elegant pointed arches and detailing; the Parliament House, completed in 1922, is Edwardian Neoclassical, with symmetrical columns and a stately scale; and the Beehive, located right next to it, began construction in 1969 and was completed in the early 1980s, featuring a conical tower that tapers in tiers, earning its name from its resemblance to a traditional woven beehive.Wellington · 992m from downtown
Mount Victoria
Mount Victoria is 196 m high and located to the east of Wellington city. It was once used as a lookout, and the Māori call it "Matairangi," which means the place where one looks at the sky. Today, there is an observation deck at the summit (), which is a great place for 360-degree views of Wellington and for overlooking the stunning harbor scenery. Mount Victoriais also a filming location for the first installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. In the film, the fleeing Hobbits hid from the Black Riders in the dense forest on the hillside, and this spot is just a few minutes away from the bustling city of Wellington. You can hike up the mountain along the walking trails from Oriental Parade or Majoribanks Street. The winding roads are lined with villas belonging to wealthy Wellington residents, and the unique, modern houses are quite beautiful. Upon reaching the summit observation deck, you can see the full view of this coastal city and the ferries crossing the bay. On clear days, you can even clearly see Wellington International Airport and planes taking off and landing. Not far from the observation deck stands a triangular pyramid, a monument to the famous Antarctic explorer Rear Admiral Richard Byrd. At night, you can locate the Southern Cross by following the extension line along the side of the pyramid.Wellington · 1.4 km from downtown
Cuba Street
Cuba Street is a bustling commercial street in Wellington, with a very bohemian style, where you can see many restaurants with exotic styles such as Amsterdam, Istanbul and Indian styles, and taste delicious food from all over the world. There are also a variety of boutique clothing stores, fashion shops, art galleries and cafes on the street. When you are tired, you can go for a cup of pure American coffee. When wandering around, you will see many second-hand records and books, nostalgic clothing and alternative furniture, as well as performance art performers or occasional charity sales, which are very full of life.Wellington · 818m from downtown
Boating in Wellington
Wellington rowing is a popular water activity in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Located at the southwestern end of the North Island, Wellington has a mild maritime climate and rich water sports resources. In Wellington, you can choose from a variety of rowing methods, including kayaking, rowing, etc. The clear and tranquil waters of Wellington provide an ideal environment for rowing. You can learn rowing skills under the guidance of professional coaches and feel the joy of close contact with the sea. In addition, there are many places suitable for rowing around Wellington, which are not only beautiful, but also allow you to enjoy the magnificent sea view while rowing. For rowing enthusiasts, Wellington is undoubtedly a paradise. Here, you can fully experience the excitement and fun of rowing, while also enjoying the natural beauty and unique culture of New Zealand.New Zealand · Wellington
Cook Strait
Located between New Zealand's South and North Islands, the Cook Strait is a picturesque stretch of water that connects the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Known for its stunning natural scenery and rich marine life, the strait is an ideal location for visitors to explore New Zealand's natural beauty. A ferry ride is a great way to experience the Cook Strait, where you can admire the mountains and coastline on both sides of the strait. On clear days, visitors may even see dolphins playing by the boat. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the Cook Strait offers a variety of options, including sea fishing, kayaking and sailing. The coastal trails are suitable for hikers and provide a good perspective for panoramic views of the strait. In addition, the strait's unique geographical location makes it an important area for studying marine ecology and geological activities, attracting scientists and nature lovers. The natural environment here also provides endless creative inspiration for photographers.Wellington · 24.2 km from downtown
Oriental Bay
Oriental Bay is a district of Wellington, located at the foot of the northern slope of Mount Victoria, 1.5 kilometers southeast of the city center. Because it has a beach that is relatively close to the city center, it has become one of the popular places for life, leisure and tourism. Especially in summer, it becomes more lively here, and many restaurants, cafes and bars also attract many people who come here to play. It not only provides a good leisure place for those who like to swim, but also a good place for families and children to have fun. It is also a carnival place for party lovers.Wellington · 1.5 km from downtown
Wellington Botanic Garden
The Wellington Botanic Garden covers an area of 25 hectares. There are not only exotic flowers and plants in the southern hemisphere, but also famous flowers and trees in the northern hemisphere! What roses in France, camellias in China, coral trees in Brazil, "Devil's Hand" in Argentina, phoenix trees in the Canary Islands, beech in Australia, fir trees in Norfolk, cedar in Africa, tulip tree in North America , Dutch tulips, Japanese cherry blossoms, everything, by no means a boring botanical garden. There are footpaths in the park, and it is a very pleasant thing for everyone to walk in this piece of red and green. But if you want to walk all the way, you need to spend a whole day! If you want to visit the essence, it is recommended to visit the Lady Norwood Rose Garden on the east side of the park. From November to May of the following year, more than 300 kinds of roses are in full bloom in the concentric-shaped courtyard, and the fragrance is overwhelming. If you have good eyes and ears, you will also encounter wonderful open-air concerts held on the stage in the courtyard from time to time.Wellington · 895m from downtown
Experiences you can't miss in Wellington
Featured Day tours in Wellington
View all Day tours![1-day Lord of the Rings Tour in Wellington, North Island, New Zealand [Includes Weta Workshop + Themed Lunch]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0350n12000re4qjkv6F71_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
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![Half-day tour to Weta Workshop in Wellington, North Island, New Zealand [City transfers | Classic experience]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images//0585012000rompbqzFB7B_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
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Featured Cultural experiences in Wellington
View all Cultural experiences![New Zealand North Island Wellington Wētā Workshop 90-min tour [English guide | multiple time slots optional]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0353v12000smcd8t3ACBC_C_568_320.png?_fr=wc)
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Featured Food & drink in Wellington
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Featured Outdoor experiences in Wellington
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More things to do
Group Tours in Wellington
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Free things to do in Wellington
New Zealand Parliament Buildings
Wellington · 992m from downtownMount Victoria
Wellington · 1.4 km from downtownCuba Street
Wellington · 818m from downtownOriental Bay
Wellington · 1.5 km from downtownWellington Botanic Garden
Wellington · 895m from downtown
Wellington Museum
Wellington · 203m from downtown
Wellington Waterfront Walk
Wellington · 722m from downtown
Cable Car Museum
Wellington · 746m from downtown
Otari-Wilton's Bush
Wellington · 2.6 km from downtown
City Gallery Wellington
Wellington · 228m from downtown
What travelers say about Wellington
Anonymous userJuly 27, 2026
5.0
It's a great museum; admission is free for children under 15 and for locals. It's very interactive and fun, making it a great place to bring kids. We saw the giant squid and experienced the earthquake simulator.
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Sobel PhangOctober 29, 2024
5.0
The Wellington Cable Car is a charming and efficient way to experience the city from a unique vantage point. The ride takes you from Lambton Quay to the Kelburn lookout, offering panoramic views of Wellington and its stunning harbor.The journey is smooth and relatively quick, making it a convenient option for both tourists and locals. At the top, you can explore the beautiful botanical gardens, visit the Cable Car Museum, and enjoy several walking trails.
Wellington Cable Car
牛牛June 28, 2025
4.0
It's still OK. There are 4 rooms in total. Different rooms introduce different functions. Some are masks, some are costumes, and there are also costumes of Liu Chang from The Wandering Earth. There are many famous works. It is really worth seeing
Wētā Workshop
AROUND THAILANDJune 3, 2021
5.0
The Thai Parliament is in Samsen
Just here, along the river, you can get there
The view is beautiful, the wind is cool, it's worth thinking about
I still miss the Star of the Parliament, what a pity
New Zealand Parliament Buildings
Lavender and SunApril 26, 2021
5.0
Wellington is surrounded by rolling hills, lush greenery, blue sea and blue sky, and beautiful scenery. The climate is mild and spring-like all year round. Wellington has a mild and humid climate and is a famous tourist destination in the South Pacific. The climate is mild!
Mount Victoria
天生哥January 24, 2020
5.0
Cuba Street shows the free and casual side of Wellington. The colorful decorations here decorate the city, there are street artists, modern sculptures, and street artists often perform on the roadside. It is a very artistic place full of artistic atmosphere! The city responded to us with bright colors. Wellington's Cuba Street is full of retro, colorful and artistic atmosphere.
Cuba Street
acyeverydayJune 20, 2026
5.0
Can't beat Wellington on a good day! A great place to walk along the coast. Easily connects up with the Waterfront and Evans Bay Parade if you want to extend your walk. Gelato and ice cream places are perfect in the summer while at the bay, and there are nice cafes and eateries for a coffee, brunch, or lunch. If you are keen for an activity, hire a crocodile bike!
Oriental Bay
🎀彡🐾May 13, 2020
5.0
Wellington Botanic Gardens is the largest botanical garden in New Zealand. It covers a very large area and grows many rare plants from all over the world. Although it is located in the frigid zone, you can see many tropical plants in the greenhouse, and the flowers here are in full bloom in spring and summer, which is very beautiful.
Wellington Botanic Garden
