Do & See

Do & See

Do & See

Wellington

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PDF Guide

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

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Do & SeeGuide was updated: November 18, 2024

Most of the major attractions are within easy walking distance from the hotels, restaurants and bars. There are plenty of historical and cultural sights to choose from, like the National Museum (Te Papa) and the City Gallery Wellington. If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, then you should definitely take the tour around the location where the movie was filmed. There are also many great excursions to choose from such as a trip to the Somes-Maitu Island or exploring the wildlife at Karori.

Museum of New Zealand — Te Papa Tongarewa

Museum of New Zealand — Te Papa Tongarewa

The national museum of New Zealand features five floors of interactive exhibits and offers an insight into everything from natural history to Maori culture and European immigration. Don’t miss ‘bush city’, the museum’s urban rain forest full of native plants and wildlife. The museum is recognized as a world leader of interactive and innovative museum experiences.

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New Zealand Parliament Buildings

New Zealand Parliament Buildings

Take a one-hour guided tour of the Parliament Buildings to see New Zealand politics at work and to explore the Beehive — one of the most famous buildings in Wellington.

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City Gallery Wellington

City Gallery Wellington

Wellington’s main contemporary art gallery hosts an ever-changing collection of international touring art exhibitions and contemporary local works. There is always something interesting to see, and it's a great place for a rainy day.

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Wellington Zoo

Wellington Zoo

The zoo, founded in 1906, is now home to over 500 animals in modern enclosures. Learn more about the animals from the daily zookeeper talks and get up close to pandas and cheetahs with the zoo’s ‘close encounters’ experience.

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Wellington Cable Car

Wellington Cable Car

Hop aboard the cable car for a stunning panorama of Wellington and the Hutt Valley. This charming funicular railway transports visitors between Lambton Quay, the city's bustling shopping hub, and Kelburn — a hilltop suburb with breathtaking views over the city centre. Climbing 120 m (394 ft) across a distance of 612 m (2007 ft), it's quite the ride. The upper terminal not only offers access to the verdant Botanic Gardens but also houses a free museum that delves into the century-long history of the Wellington Cable Car.

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Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary

Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary

Discover some of New Zealand’s rarest native wildlife just ten minutes from downtown Wellington, in a unique sanctuary where native bush is being restored and endangered species are breeding once again. Visitors can roam freely inside the sanctuary or take advantage of guided day or nighttime tours.

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Harbour Ferry Rides

Harbour Ferry Rides

Explore Wellington Harbour with East By West ferry trips, stopping at Somes-Maitiu nature reserve or Days Bay's popular swimming beach. The vibrant Queens Wharf, the captivating Te Papa museum, and historic Mātiu/Somes Island are must-sees. You could also spend a leisurely day at the seaside Eastbourne Village, enjoying their beaches, shops and art galleries.

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Ferg’s Kayaks

Ferg’s Kayaks

Explore Wellington’s waterfront in your own kayak, or hire a pair of inline skates. The hire centre also features a 13-metre-high indoor climbing wall, designed for beginners as well as more experienced climbers.

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Wellington Museum

Wellington Museum

Discover Wellington's rich social and cultural history at this museum, set within a remarkable 1892 heritage building. Explore its collection of over 95,000 artefacts, engage with interactive exhibits, and watch films on a grand cinema screen that spans three floors. Celebrating the city's maritime heritage, early Māori and European settlement, and its growth over 150 years as New Zealand's capital, the museum breathes life into Wellington's stories.

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Lord of the Rings Tour

Lord of the Rings Tour

Join a full or half day tour by Xplor Tours and visit the locations used during filming of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. On this tour you get the chance to explore locations such as Rivendell, where Frodo recovers from his knife attack, the Anduin River, and the Gardens of Isengard, to name a few. The cherry on top is the tour of Weta workshop, where you can see how props and weaponry is made, as well as sets from Thunderbirds. This is a must for any "Lord of the Rings" fan.

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Old St Paul's Cathedral

Old St Paul's Cathedral

Old St Paul's is an attractive old wooden church and is a fine example of 19th century Gothic Revival architecture. The interior is enhanced by splendid stained glass windows and is one of New Zealand's most important historic places. You can also join a guided tour and listen to interesting stories of the church.

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Wellington Botanic Garden

Wellington Botanic Garden

Stroll around and admire beautiful plants and flowers at Wellington Botanic Garden. It has a huge range of plant species from all around the world and the Begonia House covers tropical and seasonal displays of orchids, tuberous begonias, cyclamen, ornamentals and others. If you are hungry or thirsty, head over to the Rose Garden Café where you can have lunch.

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Oriental Bay

Oriental Bay

Whether you take a walk by the sea or go for a swim, either way this place offers beautiful views and is a lovely place to enjoy your holiday. There are plenty of ice cream parlours nearby if you would like to eat something sweet. It is close to bars, restaurants and too.

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Mount Victoria

Mount Victoria

Mount Victoria is a beautiful place for a nature hike; so beautiful, in fact, that it has been used as filming ground for some scenes of the Lord if the Rings movie. Expect stunning, birds-eye views over the city and bay. Come at night when the city lights glimmer in the distance and savour the moment.

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Weta Cave

Weta Cave

This mix of shop and museum is a mecca for Lord of the Rings fans, who flock to this venue to see behind-the-scenes insights and all sorts of this legendary movie memorabilia, as well as purchase various souvenirs and collectables.

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Paekākāriki Escarpment Track

Paekākāriki Escarpment Track

This track is one of the more challenging ones, so make sure to be prepared with suitable footwear, enough water, food and stamina for the day. The hike itself may take up to 4 hours in addition to the journey from Wellington to the starting point, which you can cover by car or train (KPL) and which will take you around an hour. Stunning views and a fresh ocean breeze will accompany you during this amazing walk.

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