Top 10 Best Things to Do in Wellington
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Top 10 Best Things to Do in Wellington

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Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
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  • Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewatop_1
    󰺂6.4
    Wellington.Wellington Central Business District661m from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Wellington
    Highlights:
    󱨜Camp overnight & explore indoors
    󰀆Maori cultural treasures preserved
    󱨠33% positive reviews
    4.4/5
    dramamigdramamig

    A very beautiful pavilion with many exhibits of natural creatures and displays of Maori history and culture. It is worth a visit. But be reminded that it is only free for locals, and it costs 35 New Zealand dollars per person for foreign tourists!

  • Wellington Cable Cartop_2
    󰺂6.2
    Wellington.Wellington Central Business District263m from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Night Attractions in Wellington
    Highlights:
    󱨜Centennial monorail on highway
    󱨜Centennial tram: 2000ft urban & mountain
    󱨠48% positive reviews
    4.3/5
    Sobel PhangSobel Phang

    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.

  • Wellingtontop_3
    󰺂5.1
    Wellington2.6 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    Observation deck with café & bar
    󰋄Coastal islands & scenic views
    4.2/5
    西溪老翁西溪老翁

    Cook Strait is the main transportation route connecting the South Island and the North Island of New Zealand. You need to take a ferry to cross the island by car. Most of the ferry routes go along the coast and islands, so the scenery on both sides is still very beautiful. The ferry takes 3.5 hours and is still worth experiencing.

  • Mount Victoria
    4
    󰺂4.7
    Wellington1.4 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󰋄360° view of Wellington Harbor & South Sea
    Panoramic view of Wellington & harbor
    󱨠31% positive reviews
    4.3/5
    Lavender and SunLavender and Sun

    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!

  • Cuba Street
    5
    󰺂4.6
    Wellington.Wellington Central Business District818m from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 2 of Night Attractions in Wellington
    Highlights:
    Creative district with cafes & bookstores
    󰋄Colorful murals adorn streets
    4.0/5
    天生哥天生哥

    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.

  • New Zealand Parliament Buildings
    6
    󰺂4.6
    Wellington.Wellington Central Business District993m from downtown
    Highlights:
    Gothic & honeycomb architecture fusion
    󰋄Guided tours of Parliament offices
    󱨠25% positive reviews
    4.3/5
    雨丝风片雨丝风片

    Capitol Building Recommendation: It is best to make an appointment for this place on weekends. There are not many people on weekdays, and you can go in directly without an appointment. Go through security check before entering the door. You can bring nothing in except yourself. There is a place to send packages for free. After sending the package, go to the service desk to register and get a number. There will be a tour guide to lead you to visit the Capitol Building. There are only English tour guides, but there are brochures with Chinese introductions. Transportation: Walk in the city center, or take the bus. There is a bus station nearby, see Figure 3. Tickets: Free, it is best to book a visit time online. Time: About 2 hours

  • Space Place at Carter Observatory
    7
    󰺂4.2
    Wellington807m from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Wellington
    Highlights:
    󰀆Stargazing with astronomy enthusiasts
    󰋄Stargazing & multimedia exhibition
    󱨠27% positive reviews
    4.1/5
    微观世界&大千世界微观世界&大千世界

    Carter Observatory: A Wonderful Journey to the Universe Carter Observatory, a celestial observation site in Wellington, New Zealand, is like a bright pearl, attracting countless astronomy enthusiasts and curious travelers to explore the mysteries of the universe. Recently, I have had the privilege of visiting myself and immersed myself in this fascinating astronomy journey, and the following will share my detailed experience for you. Arrival to the Observatory: The Harmonious Beauty of Nature and Architecture The Carter Observatory is located on the Capetti coast of Wellington, surrounded by mountains, away from the hustle and bustle of the city and light pollution, creating unique conditions for astronomical observations. As I slowly up the winding mountain road, the lush forest and fresh air came to my face, refreshing. The observatory's unique architectural style, modern silver dome complements the surrounding natural environment, as if it were naturally grown from the land. Stepping into the courtyard of the observatory, a beautiful sun stands among them, not only adding a simple atmosphere, but also making people feel the ancients' deep understanding of time and astronomy. Exploration: Immersive Astronomical Knowledge Feast Entering the Carter Observatory exhibition hall, I was instantly attracted by the rich variety of exhibits and interactive installations in front of me. The entire exhibition hall systematically displays the development of astronomy, the mysteries of the solar system and modern astronomical observation technology through multiple thematic areas. In the solar system exhibition area, realistic planetary models are arranged in proportions, making it seem like they have traveled through the vast universe. Each model is accompanied by a detailed introduction that not only covers the basic information of the planets, but also tells interesting stories about human exploration of these planets. On the interactive screen, I can tap into the unique characteristics of each planet, from the huge volcanoes on Mars to the famous Great Red Spot on Jupiter, where these distant objects become lifelike on the screen. In addition, there are areas in the exhibition hall that specialize in the development of telescopes, from the early simple single-bio telescopes to modern complex radio telescopes, a series of physical models and historical data, let me clearly see the footsteps of human exploration of the universe. Here I learn about the great discoveries of famous astronomers and how they can break through the boundaries of cognition by constantly improving their observational equipment. The Skywalk Experience: A Mind-Shaking Cosmic Tour The Skywalk at Carter Observatory is undoubtedly the most memorable part of the entire visit. Step into the Skywalk, comfortable seats and huge hemispheric dome create a mysterious atmosphere. As the lights dim, a mind-shaking journey to the universe officially kicks off. Under the guidance of a professional narrator, we follow the starry sky projected on the dome, travel through the Milky Way and explore the mysteries of distant galaxies. From the ripple nebula to the mysterious black hole, every picture is breathtaking. The Tianxiang Museum not only shows the magnificent scenery of the universe, but also explains the astronomy knowledge in depth. Through vivid simulations, I understood the changing laws of the four seasons of the starry sky, and the myths and legends behind the constellations.

  • Wellington Botanic Garden
    8
    󰺂4.1
    Wellington895m from downtown
    Highlights:
    Cable car to garden top
    󱨜Exotic trees since 1844
    󱨠27% positive reviews
    4.7/5
    🎀 张珍🐾🎀 张珍🐾

    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 Zoo
    9
    󰺂4.1
    51.84
    Wellington3.7 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 3 of Family-friendly Attractions in Wellington
    Highlights:
    󰋄New Zealand's 2nd largest zoo
    󱓊Kiwi bird watching in darkness
    4.0/5
    王海娃子王海娃子

    Wellington is the capital of New Zealand after all. Although a variety of animals such as cattle, sheep, and birds can be seen all over the country, the systematic and authoritative display of the country's species can only be found in the capital's Wellington Zoo.

  • Oriental Bay
    10
    󰺂4.1
    Wellington1.5 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Cool Water Escapes in Wellington
    Highlights:
    󰋄Lively summer restaurants & bars
    󱓊City & harbor views panorama
    󱨠28% positive reviews
    4.4/5
    🎀 张珍🐾🎀 张珍🐾

    Wellington's Oriental Bay is a very beautiful bay. It not only has beautiful coastal scenery, but is also a famous commercial center. Coming here to walk on the sea and then go to the food street in Oriental Bay to taste the food is really a very good choice and definitely worth a try.

Best things to do in Wellington (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Wellington? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Wellington offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Wellington

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Wellington experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

• Wellington.Wellington Central Business District | 661m from downtown

• : Camp overnight & explore indoors,Maori cultural treasures preserved

Wellington Cable Car

• Wellington.Wellington Central Business District | 263m from downtown

• : Centennial monorail on highway,Centennial tram: 2000ft urban & mountain

Wellington

• Wellington | 2.6 km from downtown

• : Observation deck with café & bar,Coastal islands & scenic views

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Wellington

If you want to explore attractions just outside Wellington, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Wellington, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Wellington special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Wellington

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Wellington

Ready to explore the best of Wellington? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in Wellington?
These are all Best Things to Do in Wellington:Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington Cable Car, Wellington, Mount Victoria, Cuba Street
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Wellington?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Wellington include:Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa:4.4, Wellington Cable Car:4.3, Wellington:4.2, Mount Victoria:4.3, New Zealand Parliament Buildings:4.3
At what locations in Wellington can Best Things to Do in Wellington be found?
The Best Things to Do in Wellington are mainly located in:Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa:Wellington, Wellington Cable Car:Wellington, Wellington:Wellington, Mount Victoria:Wellington, Cuba Street:Wellington
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