Wellington Top must dos

There's so much to see and do in the coolest little capital, so to get you started, here’s our list of the top must dos when you visit Wellington.

Discover our stories at Te Papa

The national museum of New Zealand, Te Papa, is fascinating and fun for curious minds of any age. The exhibits are innovative and interactive, telling stories of New Zealand’s unique geological, biological, cultural and social history in new and exciting ways. By the way – general admission is free (some touring exhibitions have an entry fee).

Enjoy 360-degree views from the top of Mount Victoria

Get a panoramic view of city and harbour, and a great photo opportunity at the Mount Victoria Lookout. Watch the ferries sailing in through the harbour and aircraft taking off from Wellington Airport. You can drive all the way up, or walk through the town belt greenery. Grab some fish and chips and sit on the grass as the sun goes down and the lights come up.

Taste your way around the city

Wellington is said to have more bars and restaurants per capita than New York City, and with rich farmland to the north and ocean's bounty to the south, those restaurants are spectacularly good. We're also known as the craft beer capital, and as for our coffee...it's legendary.

Ride the historic Wellington Cable Car

The Cable Car is a Wellington icon. It runs from Lambton Quay up to Kelburn, where at the top there’s a lookout, the Cable Car Museum, and Space Place at Carter Observatory. With interactive displays, a state of the art digital planetarium and historic telescopes, it's a virtual voyage to the stars. Come back down to earth (and the city) through the beautiful Botanic Garden.

Travel back in time at the Zealandia sanctuary in Karori

Just a 10-minute drive from downtown Wellington you'll find Zealandia. Hidden in a suburban valley, this project aims to return a 225 hectare section of bush to its pre-human state. Take a walk and hear the songs of the flourishing native bird population. Volunteer guides help you make the most, and you can even book a night tour for kiwi spotting.

Check out our world famous movie-making magic

Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the imagination and artistry behind some of the world's most spectacular movies at the Weta Cave mini-museum, right there where the special effects wizardry happens. Or put yourself in the picture with a The Lord of the Rings location tour.

Love film? We’ve got lots more movie tours and attractions for you.

Take a wander around the waterfront to Oriental Bay

Wellington's waterfront is a beautifully walkable public space, dotted with cafes, parks, sculpture, bars and ice cream vendors. Join hundreds of Wellingtonians walking, jogging, skating, cycling, or crocodile biking. Stop by one of three markets on the weekend, then aim for Oriental Bay beach to have a swim or just soak up the sun.

Let a local show you around on a Wellington tour

A guided tour is the best way to get quickly acquainted with Wellington. Walk the city meeting Wellington’s coffee roasters and tasting gourmet foods. Go mountain biking with expert guides, head offroad to visit hard-to-reach wildlife, or take to the skies for a spectacular bird’s eye view.