Best Things to Do in Wellington – Art, Adventure & Harbour Views

Wellington is a compact capital with a big personality, where culture, politics and creativity meet the sea. From riding the iconic red cable car to exploring world-class museums and strolling the lively waterfront, the city blends natural beauty with urban energy.

Most travellers only stay for a night to catch the ferry to the South Island, so take the opportunity to experience the Best Things to Do in Wellington things to do in Wellington — tour the city or pick a few highlights to explore on foot if the weather permits. After all, Wellington isn’t called Windy Wellington for nothing.

🚋 Wellington Cable Car & Botanic Garden

Hop aboard Wellington’s iconic red cable car from Lambton Quay and glide up to Kelburn for sweeping views over the harbour and city skyline. The ride is short but memorable, offering a unique perspective of the capital. At the top, you’ll find the Cable Car Museum, Space Place at Carter Observatory and direct access to the Wellington Botanic Garden, a hillside haven of native bush, exotic plants, seasonal flower beds and winding trails.

🌿 Highlights at the top:

• Cable Car Museum – Learn the history of this much-loved transport icon.
• Botanic Garden – 25 hectares of themed gardens, walking trails and vibrant displays.
• Space Place – A planetarium and observatory for stargazing and interactive astronomy.
• Lookouts – Panoramic views across Whanganui-a-Tara’s harbour and hills.

🕒 Practical Information:

• Operating Hours: Daily from 7:30am – 9:00pm (slightly shorter on Sundays & public holidays).
• Frequency: Every 10 minutes.
• Cost: Around $6 one way / $12 return (Snapper cards accepted).
• Time Needed: Allow 1–2 hours to ride up, explore the gardens and wander back down.

🌸 Seasonal Highlights:

• Spring – Vibrant tulips and colourful flower displays.
• Summer – Evening concerts in the gardens and long daylight hours.
• Autumn – Golden foliage and crisp air on the hillside trails.
• Winter – The Botanic Garden’s Magical Lights Festival transforms the grounds after dark.

💡 Local Tip: Take the cable car up, then stroll back downhill through the Botanic Garden into the city. The walk is free, scenic and brings you out near Parliament.

🌊 Wellington Waterfront Walk

Wellington’s waterfront is the city’s open-air living room — a place where locals jog, cycle and relax by the harbour. Stretching from Te Papa to the Railway Station, the Whanganui-a-Tara Waterfront Walk takes you past public art, cafés and tucked-away green spaces, all with stunning views of the harbour. It’s a relaxed way to experience the capital’s creative energy.

🌿 Highlights along the walk:

• Te Papa to Whairepo Lagoon – A lively stretch with street performers, sculptures and views across the harbour.
• Frank Kitts Park – A popular green space perfect for picnics, markets and festivals.
• Clyde Quay Wharf – A modern waterfront hub with eateries and luxury apartments.
• Sculpture Trail – Features iconic works like Len Lye’s Water Whirler.

🕒 Practical Information:

• Distance: About 2.5 km from Te Papa to the Railway Station (easy, flat walk).
• Time Needed: 1–2 hours depending on stops.
• Accessibility: Fully walkable, with cycle lanes and plenty of seating.
• Cost: Free.

🌸 Seasonal Highlights:

• Summer – Markets, food trucks and outdoor concerts fill the waterfront.
• Winter – Clear days bring crisp views across the harbour and hills.
• Spring/Autumn – Milder weather makes it perfect for a relaxed stroll or bike ride.

💡 Local Tip: Grab a coffee or gelato from a waterfront café and sit by the lagoon to watch rowers, kayakers and the famous Wellington wind dancing across the water.

🏛️ The Beehive & Parliament Buildings

No trip to Wellington is complete without visiting the Beehive, Aotearoa’s most recognisable government building. Its unique circular design makes it an architectural icon, and it sits alongside the more classical Parliament House and the grand Parliamentary Library. Together, they form the political heart of the nation and offer fascinating insight into New Zealand’s democracy.

🌿 Highlights of a visit:

• The Beehive – Modernist design and the Prime Minister’s offices.
• Parliament House – Historic debating chambers where government decisions are made.
• Parliamentary Library – A beautiful Gothic Revival building dating back to 1899.
• Guided Tours – Free daily tours take you through chambers, galleries and hidden passageways.

🕒 Practical Information:

• Tour Times: Daily from 10am – 4pm (tours every hour, booking recommended).
• Cost: Free.
• Location: Molesworth Street, at the northern end of Lambton Quay.
• Security: Arrive 15 minutes early for bag checks before the tour.

🌸 Seasonal Highlights:

• Spring & Summer – The rose gardens outside Parliament are in full bloom.
• Winter – Fewer crowds, making for more intimate guided tours.

💡 Local Tip: Stand at the main gates on Molesworth Street for the best photo angle capturing all three buildings — the Beehive, Parliament House and the Library.

🏛️ Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Known simply as Te Papa, this national museum is the most visited in Aotearoa. Its interactive exhibits bring the country’s history, Māori culture, natural world and contemporary art to life. Highlights include the powerful Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War exhibition, the famous colossal squid and rotating art installations.

🌿 Highlights:

• Gallipoli exhibition created with Wētā Workshop.
• Māori taonga (treasures) and cultural stories.
• Natural history and hands-on discovery centres.

🕒 Practical Information:

• Entry: Free (special exhibitions ticketed).
• Hours: Daily, 10am – 6pm.
• Time Needed: 2–3 hours.

💡 Local Tip: Start on Level 4 for sweeping harbour views from the sculpture terrace.

🎬 Wētā Workshop

On the Miramar Peninsula, Wētā Workshop takes you inside the world of movie-making magic. From The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to Avatar and District 9, the team here has created some of cinema’s most unforgettable props and creatures. Guided tours reveal the craft and Kiwi ingenuity behind these blockbusters.

🌿 Highlights:

• Film props, weapons, armour and creatures.
• The Wētā Cave shop filled with collectibles.
• Insight into the artistry of practical effects.

🕒 Practical Information:

• Tours: Paid (book ahead online).
• Hours: Daily, 9am – 5:30pm.
• Time Needed: Around 90 minutes.

💡 Local Tip: Combine a Wētā Workshop tour with a stop at nearby Scorching Bay for fish and chips by the sea.

Closing Thought

There’s so much to see and do in Wellington, but we hope you’ve enjoyed the Best Things to Do in Wellington. Since Covid, the capital has quietened down and at times feels a little like a ghost town — which means you won’t need to worry about battling big crowds as you explore. Take your time, soak up the atmosphere, and let Wellington surprise you.

🌍 Travel Planning Resources

These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your Tohu guide you — Trust the Journey and follow what feels right for you.

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• 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
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• 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
• 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass – for UK or US
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