Wellington Tourist Attractions

Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, offers a mix of cultural heritage, film history, and natural beauty. Here are the top attractions to visit in the city:

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand's national museum, renowned for its interactive exhibits on natural history and cultural heritage.

• Explore the world's only preserved Colossal Squid specimen on display.

• Walk through interactive exhibitions detailing Māori culture, art, and New Zealand’s geological formation.

• View the emotional and massive "Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War" exhibition created with Wētā Workshop.

Wellington Cable Car

Wellington Cable Car is a historic funicular railway operating from Lambton Quay up to the hillside suburb of Kelburn.

• Enjoy sweeping scenic views of Wellington Harbour during the 5-minute ride.

• Visit the Cable Car Museum located at the top terminal to learn about its century-long history.

• Step out directly into the entrance of the Botanic Garden.

Wellington Botanic Garden

Wellington Botanic Garden covers 25 hectares of specialized plant collections, native forest trails, and landscaped displays.

• Walk through the Lady Norwood Rose Garden featuring over 100 flower beds.

• Explore tropical plants housed inside the Begonia House conservatory.

• Visit Space Place at Carter Observatory located within the garden grounds for planetarium shows.

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne

Wildlife refuge

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is a fully fenced eco-sanctuary located minutes from downtown, dedicated to restoring native flora and fauna.

• Spot rare native bird species such as the tūī, kākā, and takahē in their natural habitat.

• Observe native tuatara reptiles basking along the forest trails.

• Take guided day or night tours to catch glimpses of elusive nocturnal wildlife like the Little Spotted Kiwi.

Wētā Workshop Experiences

Tourist attraction

Wētā Workshop Experiences offers behind-the-scenes tours of the Academy Award-winning prop and special effects studio in Miramar.

• See authentic props, costumes, and armor used in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

• Learn about the physical filmmaking processes, including creature design, prosthetics, and miniature scale models.

• Browse collectible statues and movie memorabilia at the Wētā Cave retail store.

Mount Victoria Lookout

Observation deck

Mount Victoria Lookout offers 360-degree panoramic views of Wellington city, the harbor, and Cook Strait.

• Watch ferries navigate into Lambton Harbour and planes land at the nearby airport.

• Hike or mountain bike up via trails winding through the pine trees on the hill.

• Experience key filming locations from The Lord of the Rings along the lower forest pathways.

Cuba Street

Cuba Street is Wellington’s famous pedestrian precinct, celebrated for its bohemian vibe, dining, and culture.

• Watch the iconic and playful kinetic Bucket Fountain splash passersby.

• Discover local craft coffee cafes, vintage clothing stores, and indie bookstores.

• Dine at eclectic restaurants or visit craft breweries located along the side streets.

Beehive

Beehive is the distinctive, circular executive wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings located in Thorndon.

• Admire the bold modernist architectural design in the heart of the civic district.

• Join guided walking tours of the parliamentary precinct to learn about New Zealand’s political history.

• Explore the surrounding heritage buildings, including Parliament House and the Parliamentary Library.