Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, is imaginatively positioned between a picturesque harbour and forested green hills. The city is home to memorable arts, cultural and heritage attractions including the national museum, Te Papa. Natural attractions, such as the wild south coast, are within easy reach of the city centre.
Sophisticated yet friendly, Wellington has great shopping and nightlife. The downtown area can match New York with the number of cafes and restaurants per head.
Just north of Wellington city is the Hutt Valley, an area that offers a variety of outdoor and adventure experiences, including bush walks, fishing and thrilling mountain bike tracks.
Porirua, towards the west coast, has a reputation for energy, creativity and talent – it is a significant Pacific Island and Maori art and culture centre.
The Kapiti Coast, less than an hour’s drive from Wellington, is where you will discover world-class wild life sanctuaries, fantastic golf and gourmet food experiences.
Key Features
Between harbour and hills: Wellington’s geography has created a compact city. The central city, only 2 kilometres wide, is nestled between the harbour and the hills. Wild, untouched landscapes can be found within minutes of your city hotel.
The home of heritage: Wellington is home to many of New Zealand’s most significant heritage attractions. Among these are the national museum Te Papa, Parliament and the National Archives, which displays the original Treaty of Waitangi.
A city with four flavours: Downtown Wellington is divided into four distinct quarters, making it easy for visitors to experience the different personalities of the city. The fashions, food styles and faces change with every quarter.
Key Tips
Wellington has an international airport, ferries connecting the North and South islands and an extensive train and bus network.
Wellington’s compact size means it only takes 20 minutes to walk from one side of downtown to the other.
Visitors are often surprised by how much there is to see and do in Wellington – ensure you allow enough time.
Venture out to Kapiti, Hutt Valley and Porirua – each area has unique experiences to offer travellers.
Don’t Miss:
All aboard for an urban adventure: You will find plenty to see and do within Wellington’s compact downtown area.
Set on the city waterfront, Te Papa is New Zealand’s innovative national museum. Visitors can gain an insight into the New Zealand way of life – past and present. Entry is free for most exhibitions
Discover former Lord of the Rings filming sites with one of Wellington’s tour companies Tours of Parliament Buildings provide an insight into New Zealand’s political heritage
The inner city suburb of Thorndon is New Zealand’s oldest suburb. Visit the country’s oldest operating hotel and second oldest pub
The Museum of Wellington City & Sea presents educational stories in an interactive and entertaining way. Free entry
Visit Katherine Mansfield Birthplace, childhood home of one of New Zealand’s most famous writers. The house has been intricately restored to match the descriptions in her stories
Old St Paul’s is a magnificent, gothic style cathedral built from New Zealand native timbers
Downtown Wellington’s four unique quarters offer great shopping, bars, cafes and restaurants – all within easy walking distance
A restored, historic cable car travels from downtown Wellington up to the Botanic Garden, where there are sweeping views of the city and harbour
There’s always something on at Capital E – a children’s entertainment venue with an amazing toy shop
Live shows, concerts and performances are on any night of the week. Wellington has a strong theatre culture
Walk or take a bus from the city to the summit of Mount Victoria for a 360-degree panorama of Wellington
Hire some inline skates or a bicycle rickshaw and zoom down to Oriental Bay and back
Get close to nature in and around the city: The best way to appreciate the beauty of Wellington’s natural environment is to get out there.
Enjoy animal antics at Wellington Zoo – New Zealand’s oldest zoological park
Visit an inner city slice of native paradise at Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, home to some of New Zealand’s rarities including kiwi
Harbour cruises operate between the city and Days Bay, where you’ll find seaside cafes and quality craft shops
You can also catch a ferry to Matiu/Somes Island in the middle of Wellington harbour – a conservation project with a colourful history
Hire a sea kayak and paddle around the picturesque bays of Wellington Harbour
Walk around the stunning waterfront and follow the Wellington Writer’s Walk – poetry and book excerpts are part of the scenery
Take a four-wheel drive tour to the south coast and see a colony of New Zealand fur seals
Take a bush walk in Otari-Wilton’s Bush, New Zealand’s only botanic garden dedicated solely to native forest
Wellington’s Scorching Bay is a popular beach and is home to a café that was a favourite with the Lord of the Rings stars
Mountain bike through the re-generating native bush of Makara Peak, a nationally acclaimed mountain bike park
Relax and indulge on the Kapiti Coast: Northwest of Wellington is the Kapiti Coast, where you can enjoy golden beaches and a gourmet lifestyle.
Kapiti Island Nature Reserve sits just off the coastline – it’s one of New Zealand’s leading conservation islands
Enjoy sea kayaking, diving and boating in the Kapiti Island Marine Reserve
Farm tours, which include local cheese and ice cream tasting, begin at Lindale Tourist and Agricultural Centre
Visit Southwards Car Museum, for the Southern Hemisphere’s largest collection of antique and unusual cars
Take a food focus and visit market gardens, a chocolate factory, a cooking school and olive groves
Exploring the region’s other urban centres: Hire a car, catch a bus or a train to the Hutt Valley or Porirua, Wellington’s other main urban centres
Spend some time at Pataka and discover Pacific Art and Culture in Porirua
The Dowse, in Lower Hutt, exhibits high calibre New Zealand and international artists
Increase your knowledge of New Zealand culture at Maori Treasures in Lower Hutt. Meet a family of renowned Maori artists for an authentic cultural experience
Staglands in Upper Hutt is home to a wide range of exotic and native wildlife
Kaitoke Regional Park is a popular local reserve in Upper Hutt for tramping, picnicking and swimming. It played the part of Rivendell in the Lord of the Rings trilogy
