Aotearoa (New Zealand) is a destination synonymous with spectacular landscapes, a vibrant culture, creative culinary scene, and adventure activities galore. Discover the best things to do in New Zealand in this handy guide.
New Zealand
The ultimate guide to Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington (Te Whanganui-a-Tara) is Aotearoa New Zealand’s capital and so much more. Here are the best things to do, the best places to eat and drink, and the best day trips from Wellington, New Zealand.
The world’s southernmost capital city is also the unofficial Kiwi capital for culture, coffee, and craft beer. Every visit to Wellington is enriching and enlightening, revealing an agreeable blend of natural, culinary, and cultural delights. Innovation is commonplace here, no doubt due to Wellington’s idyllic harbourside location and proximity to inspirational natural wonders.
Nestled at the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island, Wellington is well-located not only for trips around the capital, but for tours of the lower North Island, and across the Cook Strait to the jaw-dropping beauty of the South Island.
Flying direct from Melbourne to Wellington takes only 3.5 hours, with direct daily flights making the Windy City accessible for Victorians. Whether travelling for a long weekend getaway or a country-wide road trip, use this handy guide to plan your Wellington stay.
RACV Members have access to exclusive benefits on everything from tours, cruises, and exemplary attractions and experiences across New Zealand.
The furnicular railway up Kelburn Hill to the Wellington Botanic Garden is a fun ride. Image: Tourism NZ
Your guide to Wellington's best places to visit
The best cultural activities in Wellington
While compact, Wellington is brimming with museums, galleries, and theatres to connect you to the city’s rich heritage and undeniable creative boldness.
A must-do on any trip to Wellington, the interactive Museum of New Zealand/Te Papa Tongarewa is an excellent place to start your holiday. Meaning ‘the treasure box’ in Māori, Te Papa is free to enter. It’s home to a staggering collection of 800,000 artworks, objects, and specimens that reveal Aotearoa’s 3,300-year history. The Māori-guided 90-minute Kīnaki Tour offers fascinating insights into how iwi takeka – the first people of the land – used the country’s natural resources for food, medicine, and tools.
While Te Papa has a significant artwork collection, for contemporary art aficionados, City Gallery Wellington will appeal. It has modern art and innovative exhibitions from local and international artists. Discover the city’s maritime history at the Wellington Museum on the pretty waterfront.
Wellington is also New Zealand’s film capital. Affectionately known as Wellywood, it has played a pivotal role in building the country’s thriving film industry with world-class production facilities. Kiwi Peter Jackson’s decision to use the city and its surrounds for The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie franchises significantly contributed to Wellington’s film industry success.
One of the best ways to connect to this cultural side of Wellington is on a Weta Workshop tour. Co-founded by Peter Jackson, Weta Workshop is a phenomenal special effects company where you can go behind the scenes on award-winning movies like Lord of the Rings and Avatar.
If you love the performing arts, check what’s on at St James Theatre, where the Royal New Zealand Ballet regularly perform. Opened in 1912 and lovingly restored after the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, this gorgeous theatre is a work of art in itself.
Te Papa Tongawera is an excellent museum in Wellington. Image: Tourism NZ
The best outdoor activities in Wellington
Unlike many capital cities, Wellington is beautifully framed by nature, with its sparkling harbour and coastline, rolling hills, and lush forests cradling the city. Many outdoor attractions are within easy reach of the city centre.
To get your Wellington bearings, visit Mount Victoria for impressive panoramic views across the city, Hutt Valley, and Cook Strait. Although you can drive or bus to the summit, the 4.5km Mount Victoria Lookout Walkway is worth the effort.
Other excellent hiking opportunities include the 2-hour Te Ara o Nga Tupuna Heritage Trail or meet the seals on the Red Rocks Coastal Route. For an all-day excursion, hike or bike the City to Sea Walkway. Mountain bikers also love the Brooklyn Wind Turbine track.
A visit to Zealandia Te Māre a Tāne is one of Wellington’s wildlife highlights. This verdant urban sanctuary is home to 40 rare native fauna species. Explore the sanctuary at leisure or take a thrilling night tour for a deeper understanding of Zealandia’s residents and its 500-year vision.
Zealandia is a verdant urban ecosanctuary in Wellington. Image: Tourism NZ
The best places to eat and drink in Wellington
With hidden laneways, an obsession for excellent coffee, and a diverse foodie scene, it’s unsurprisingly Wellington is sometimes known as ‘Melbourne’s little sister’. With an impressive number of cafés, restaurants, bars, food trucks, and pop-up culinary events, Wellington reveals it can hold its own, out of the shadows of ‘big sis’.
Although there are too many to list, some of the city’s culinary gems include Ortega Fish Shack, Boulcott Street Bistro, Shepherd, and Mabel’s for outstanding Burmese food. Finish off with a nightcap at Graze or Puffin wine bars or relish the speakeasy vibes at Hawthorn Lounge.
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington proudly connects to its Māori heritage. This made Monique Fiso’s decision to open a modern Māori cuisine restaurant in her hometown a no-brainer. Now with Michelin-star status, Hiakai (‘hungry’ in Māori) is one of the most celebrated restaurants in the country. Diners travel from afar to enjoy Hiakai’s Māori myth-inspired menu. For a more casual Māori-inspired meal, head to Karaka Café.
And Wellington's best coffee? Compare a brew from Midnight Espresso on Cuba Street to Havana Coffee Works and decide for yourself!
For a capital city sitting so far south, Wellington does well to attract top talent for its exceptional events, like the New Zealand Festival of the Arts, the Wellington Jazz Festival, and CubaDupa Street Festival. For the best Kiwi music event of the year, the Wellington Waterfront is a top-tier location for homegrown talent.
Havana Coffee Works is a great place to grab breakfast or a quick coffee. Image: Tourism NZ
The best day trips from Wellington
If time permits, switch up your city visit with a day trip to Wellington’s nearby attractions, including verdant vineyards, quaint towns, and natural wonders.
Of the three regions in Wellington Wine Country, Martinborough is the most famous, thanks to its 30 wineries and delectable Pinot Noir. For a guided introduction to the best of the region, take a Gourmet Wine Tour. For wine connoisseurs, time your Wellington visit with the annual Toast Martinborough festival.
For active travellers, the compact nature of Martinborough’s wineries means you can cycle between vineyards with ease. For a more challenging bike ride, take the historic 115km Remutaka Cycle Trail from Wellington or ride the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. The latter passes Martinborough on its route from Napier to Blenheim.
In Martinborough’s charming villages, connect with local artisanal food producers to sample their creamy cheeses, gourmet chocolates, fresh bread, and more. The cafés in Greytown also impress; walk off the goodies around the town’s heritage Victorian buildings.
For a scenic detour on your return to Wellington, stop by wild Cape Palliser to climb the lighthouse, marvel at the views, and witness the North Island’s largest seal colony.
For a fabulous wildlife day out, visit one of New Zealand’s oldest and most significant nature reserves, found on the Kapiti Coast. Catch the ferry to Kapiti Island to explore this scenic predator-free bird sanctuary. Take a guided tour or opt to stay overnight for your best chance of seeing kiwi birds in the wild.
