10 Things To Do In Wellington: Explore The Capital City Of New Zealand

An image of the aerial view of Wellington Harbour, one of the best things to see in New Zealand.

Wellington offers tourists the perfect opportunity to explore the city and witness the unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. There are several things to do in Wellington, New Zealand. These ensure tourists have extensive and memorable experiences during the visit. Tourists visiting Wellington can get to explore the diverse culture and arts scene. The city offers access to museums, art galleries, historical sites, and festivals, all of which depict the culture.

Top 10 Things To Do In Wellington

Here are the several adventurous things to do in Wellington that tourists can participate in, experience the local culture and have fun experiences:

1. Visit Te Papa Tongarewa

An image of the Discovery Centre of Te Papa Tongarewa, one of the best things to see in Wellington.

Photo: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa / Wikimedia Commons

Visiting Te Papa Tongarewa Museum is one of the best things to do in Wellington. It offers tourists a unique insight into the country’s cultural and historical heritage. Tourists visiting this museum can get to see the diverse cultural exhibitions, which include Māori and Pacific cultures, art, and natural history. Some of the major attractions in the museum that tourists can view include the earthquake simulator, colossal squid and the Gallipoli exhibition. This makes it an ideal destination to have unique experiences.

Ideal Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM, closed on Christmas Day.
Location: 55 Cable Street, Wellington Central, New Zealand

2. Ride The Wellington Cable Car

An image of the Wellington Cable Car, one of the best things to see in New Zealand.

Photo: Simon / Wikimedia Commons

Riding the Wellington Cable Car is one of the fun things to do in Wellington, New Zealand. It offers tourists an opportunity to view the beautiful scenery of the city and harbour. The cable car has a significant history as it has been operational for over 120 years. This makes it a unique activity for tourists to enjoy the adventure. Tourists taking the cable car ride can view various attractions. This includes the Wellington Botanic Garden, Cable Car Museum, Space Place and the Zealandia Sanctuary, making it a memorable experience.

Ideal Duration: 15 – 20 minutes
Timings: 7:30 AM – 8 PM from Monday to Thursday, 7:30 AM – 9 PM on Friday, 8:30 AM – 9 PM on Saturday, 8:30 AM – 7 PM on Sunday and public holidays
Location: Wellington, New Zealand

3. Explore Zealandia Ecosanctuary

An image of Zealandia EcoSanctuary, one of the places to visit in Wellington, New Zealand.

Photo: Judi Lapsley Miller / Wikimedia Commons

Exploring the Zealandia Ecosanctuary is one of the best things to do in Wellington, New Zealand. It offers tourists the opportunity to witness the native wildlife within a protected environment. Tourists exploring the Zealandia Ecosanctuary can get unique wildlife encounters with animals such as tuatara, kiwi and Takahe. Tourists can take guided tours offered in the Zealandia Ecosanctuary. They can be introduced to rare animal species, native birds, and unique reptiles. The sanctuary also offers stunning views of Wellington’s natural landscapes.

Ideal Duration: 2-3 hours
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Location: Karori area of Wellington, New Zealand

4. Explore The Wētā Workshop

An image resembling the Wētā Workshop, one of the things to see in Wellington.

Photo: Tama66 / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Exploring Wētā Workshop is one of the adventurous things to do in Wellington. Here tourists can immerse themselves into the world of movie magic. The Wētā Workshop is the perfect destination for movie enthusiasts to witness the creativity process. This is involved in the making of special effects and props for popular films such as Avatar and Lord of the Rings. Tourists can visit the Wētā Cave to see the collectables, apparel, and prop replicas to get an extensive experience. Visitors can also take guided tours to see behind-the-scenes demonstrations and learn about the incredible craftsmanship behind the movie magic.

Ideal Duration: 90 minutes
Timings: 8:45 AM – 6:30 PM
Location: 1 Weka Street, Miramar, Wellington

5. Walk Along Cuba Street

An image of people exploring Cuba Street, one of the adventurous things to do in Wellington.

Photo: Jana Vandamme / Unsplash

Walking along Cuba Street is among the top things to do in Wellington. Tourists can get to explore its wide variety of businesses and witness street performances. Tourists walking along Cuba Street can get access to cafes, restaurants, music venues, op-shops, bookshops, and record shops to try out the local cuisines and buy souvenirs. Additionally, tourists can view the iconic Bucket Fountain situated within the town. This is a popular landmark that attracts visitors with its unique architectural design.

Ideal Duration: 1 day
Timings: Open all day
Location: Wellington, New Zealand

6. Visit Mount Victoria Lookout

An image of a view from Mount Victoria Lookout, one of the things to see in Wellington.

Photo: Kristina D.C. Hoeppner / Wikimedia Commons

Visiting Mount Victoria lookout is one of the most romantic things to do in Wellington. It offers couples visiting and tourists beautiful 360-degree views of the city, ocean, and harbour. Visitors at Mount Victoria Lookout can find informative panels and a Byrd Memorial. This is dedicated to a popular polar explorer, which makes it ideal for a unique experience. Tourists can participate in various activities while visiting, including mountain biking, jogging, hiking, and taking nature walks. Moreover, tourists can enjoy the sunset views from the specific stunning sites as it ignites the sky with beautiful colours.

Ideal Duration: 1.5 hours
Timings: Open all day
Location: Wellington, New Zealand

7. Explore Wellington Botanic Garden

An image of the Botanic Garden, one of the best places to visit in Wellington, New Zealand.

Photo: Pear285 / Wikimedia Commons

Tourists looking for what to do in Wellington can explore the Botanic Garden. It offers beautiful landscape views and a diverse range of plant collections, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts. Some of the attractions with various plant collections tourists can get to explore include the Lady of Norwood Rose Garden and Begonia House. The Botanic Garden offers hotels for all tourists visiting. These include a children’s play area, a picnic cafe, and walking trails, making it the perfect getaway for a family day out.

Ideal Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Timings: Open all day
Location: 101 Glenmore Street, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand

8. Explore The Wellington Waterfront

An image of the Wellington Waterfront, one of the top things to see in New Zealand.

Photo: Kiwiz1338 / Wikimedia Commons

Exploring the Wellington Waterfront is one of the best things to do in Wellington, New Zealand. Here, tourists can participate in various adventurous activities to have memorable experiences. Tourists visiting the Wellington Waterfront can engage in activities such as kayaking, skating, and biking. Tourists can explore trails within the area, which include Old Shoreline Trail and Maritime Trail, focusing on the historical heritage of the waterfront. There are several artworks and sculptures along the waterfront, making it a perfect destination for art enthusiasts.

Ideal Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Timings: Open all day
Location: Wellington, New Zealand

9. Visit The Beehive And Parliament Buildings

An image of the Beehive and Parliament Buildings, one of the things to see in Wellingto

Photo: Paasikivi / Wikimedia Commons

Visiting the Beehive and Parliament buildings is one of the top things to do in Wellington. Tourists can get to learn about New Zealand’s historical heritage and democracy. Tourists can take part in guided tours where they can get access to major parts of the parliament building to learn about the parliamentary process and architecture. Tourists can access the public galleries to watch MPs debate and vote on legislation. This makes it the perfect destination for visitors to have unique experiences.

Ideal Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Timings: 10 AM – 4 PM
Location: 1 Museum Street, Pipitea, Wellington

10. Enjoy Wellington’s Coffee Culture

An image resembling coffee in Wellington, one of the things to do in New Zealand.

Photo: Pexels / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Enjoying the local coffee culture is one of the adventurous things to do in Wellington. Tourists can get a taste of some of the best coffee in one of the numerous cafes in the area. Tourists can try out the long black or flat white, which are some of the local favourites in New Zealand. Tourists can visit popular coffee spots in Wellington, including Flight Coffee Hangar, Fidel’s, and Caffe L’affare, to have unique and diverse experiences. Visitors can also learn about the art of brewing coffee through barista workshops, making their coffee journey exciting.

Ideal Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Timings: Open all day
Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Wellington is the ideal destination for tourists seeking adventurous things to do in New Zealand. These offer a rich blend of history, culture and natural beauty. Tourists can explore some of the best activities at night and enjoy daytime activities at major attractions in New Zealand. Plan your trip today with TripXL and get to enjoy Wellington in New Zealand.

Cover Photo: Sulthan Auliya / Unsplash

Frequently Asked Questions

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is a top attraction, offering interactive exhibits on Māori culture, natural history, and art.
Yes, take a ride on the Wellington Cable Car to Kelburn Lookout for panoramic views of the city and harbour.
Explore Zealandia Ecosanctuary for native wildlife or hike up Mount Victoria for stunning vistas.
Visit the Wētā Workshop for a behind-the-scenes look at movie-making magic, including props from The Lord of the Rings.
Stroll through the Wellington Botanic Garden or enjoy the vibrant waterfront area with cafes and public art.

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