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Wellington Itinerary With The Top Things To Do In Wellington

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and this small city offers a wide range of activities despite its small size.

It has a vibrant and lively culture, amazing local restaurants and cafes, plenty of outdoor activities to explore, and stunning scenery all around.

Plus, Wellington's central location in New Zealand makes it easy to explore the rest of the country. But not before you've spent some time exploring Wellington itself.

This Wellington itinerary will help you plan your trip to Wellington and make the most of your visit to this quirky and windy city!

Wellington itinerary

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Where to go in Wellington: map

In the map below you can find all the cool things to do in Wellington, as well as suggested places to stay and eat.

Click here for the interactive map

Wellington things to see in and around town

  1. Te Papa Tongarewa Museum
  2. Cuba Street
  3. The Wellington Cable Car
  4. Parliament Buildings
  5. Old Saint Paul's
  6. Wellington Waterfront
  7. Zealandia Ecosanctuary
  8. Mount Victoria Lookout
  9. The Weta Cave
  10. Paekakariki Escarpment Track

Plan your New Zealand trip like a pro with these tools:
? Rent a campervan for your NZ road trip (or a car via Rentalcars.com).
? Arrange your NZ working holiday with Global Work & Travel.
? Stay connected with a New Zealand SIM card.
? Plan your journey with the New Zealand Lonely Planet.
?️ Find the best hotel deals on Booking.com or Agoda.
? Join the best tours in New Zealand via Get Your Guide or Viator.
?️ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing.


10-day New Zealand South Island Itinerary

Don't feel stressed out by the prospect of planning your epic New Zealand adventure. Get the ultimate 10-day South Island itinerary for the trip of a lifetime!

What's included:

• A day-by-day outline of your 10-day trip around the South Island of New Zealand (including Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook, Queenstown, Milford Sound, and the West Coast).
• Accommodation recommendations
• Tips for great restaurants
• A Google Map with all the highlights
• Driving distances
• And more…


Wellington view

Where to stay in Wellington

In the table below you can find the best hotels in Wellington. Further down in the post you can read more details about these hotels.

NameStarsRating PriceBook/info
Owhiro Bay CampgroundfreeWebsite
The Marion Hostel☆☆9.3US$70Click here
Sofitel Wellington☆☆☆☆☆8.8US$207Click here
Bolton Hotel☆☆☆☆☆8.7US$157Click here

Note: Prices for these hotels depend on the time of year and how far in advance you book. Therefore, the prices mentioned above are a rough indication of the price per night to help you compare the different options. Use ‘click here' to see the latest prices on Agoda and Booking and book ahead to get the best deal.

Fun and interesting things to know about Wellington

How many people live in Wellington?

With a little over 400.000 residents, Wellington is the second most populous urban area of New Zealand (Auckland is the largest) and New Zealand’s capital.

Wellington is comprised of four different cities: Wellington City, Porirua, Lower Hutt, and Upper Hutt.

Why is Wellington called ‘Windy Welly'?

Wellington is nicknamed ‘Windy Welly, which is due to the fact that the city is located in the ‘Roaring Forties’. This meteorological phenomenon occurs between 40 and 50 latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hot air from the equator meets the cold polar wind, resulting in average wind speeds of 29km/h in Wellington city on an ordinary day. On windy days (180 days a year), however, gales of 75km/h aren't unheard of.

What is the best time to visit Wellington?

If you want to avoid the crowds it's best to visit in October-November (Spring) or March-April (Autumn). Temperatures are between 15-20°C and the weather is generally sunny and dry.

How many days to spend in Wellington?

Ideally, I would recommend spending at least three or four days in Wellington. That way, you will be able to see many of the Wellington highlights listed below without feeling rushed.

During your visit to Wellington, you can add some Wellington days trips to your itinerary as well. There are several great options listed in this post.

Best places to visit in Wellington

1. Visit the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum

Wellington Te Papa Museum

Stella from Around the World in 24 Hours: Windy Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, has many wonderful attractions. An absolute must-see in Wellington is the famous Te Papa Tongarewa, the Museum of New Zealand.

Te Papa is open between 10 AM to 6 PM every day of the year (except Christmas) and is completely free to visit.

The museum is very centrally located on 55 Cable Street and will be easy to reach no matter where in Wellington you are staying.

Te Papa contains exhibits on any and every aspect of New Zealand's history and culture. If you are interested in New Zealand’s glorious wildlife, start with the exhibit on the national icon, the kiwi bird.

But don’t miss the other unusual New Zealand animals, like the world’s tallest bird, the moa, and the majestic Colossal Squid.

If you are more interested in history, you can see artifacts from the Treaty of Waitangi and the tragically famous World War I Battle of Gallipoli. There’s also a major section dedicated to the devastating earthquake that leveled the towns of Napier and Hastings back in the 1930s.

Perhaps the most interesting section of Te Papa is dedicated to Maori culture. It's not permitted to take photos of most of the Maori artifacts.

However, Te Papa does have a beautiful wharenui, which means meeting house in the Maori language.

Here you can take pictures and see the work of modern Maori artists. It’s the perfect place to learn about the fascinating Maori culture.

Set aside an entire day for this magnificent museum, it's worth every minute!

2. Stroll through Cuba street

Cuba Street Wellington

Lauren from Justin Plus Lauren: Cuba Street is one of the most famous streets in Wellington and also one of the most lively areas of the city. In fact, the street is even registered as a Historic Area under the Historic Places Act.

The street is a pedestrian mall and a very walkable part of Wellington. You can check out bohemian shops, kitschy cafes, and restaurants with many international flavors.

It's an area for creativity, self-expression, and the arts, featuring exhibitions, street performers, and galleries. The street is decorated with colorful street art and displays of public art.

The Wellington Night Market happens on Cuba Street every Friday and Saturday night, and you must check it out when you're in town on (one of )these days.

It's a great foodie adventure, featuring cuisines from around the world. You'll be able to discover many new flavors for very reasonable prices.

The Wellington Night Market is a free entertainment event that brings even more excitement to vibrant Cuba Street.

Cuba Street, along with many other wonderful places to visit in Wellington, makes the city an excellent addition to any New Zealand road trip

3. Ride the Wellington Cable Car

The Wellington Cable Car

Emma from Emma Jane Explores: the Wellington Cable Car is a historical funicular that rattles and glides up 120 meters from the city center to the hilly, lush greenery of Kelburn where remarkable views of Wellington’s waterfront below can be enjoyed.

The cable car was opened in 1902, making it a foundational part of Wellington's history and one of the best things to do in Wellington.

A trip on the cable car won’t take too big a chunk out of your day or your wallet. A ride from end to end takes a mere 5 minutes and will set you back less than $10 NZD for a return trip.

Wellington’s Snapper and transport cards can also be used. To catch the Cable Car, you’ll need to head to Lambton Quay in Wellington’s center. You won’t be waiting long, as the cable car arrives every 15 minutes.

The best part about taking the cable car up into the Wellington hills is the view over the Wellington Harbour, which can be enjoyed from a grassy knoll at the final stop of the cable car’s journey.

Here is the perfect spot to sit, take in the sights and stop for a picnic lunch. 

Botanic Gardens Wellington

The Wellington Botanical Gardens are also located here, so be sure to spend some time wandering the beautifully curated gardens.

You can either hop back into the cable car or follow a trail down through the Botanical Gardens back down into the city (you will end up at the New Zealand Parliament Buildings, the next stop on the itinerary).

Click here to buy tickets for the Wellington cable car.

4. Take a tour of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings

Sarah from Sarah sees the World: the Parliament Buildings are a famous Wellington landmark.

Free guided tours of New Zealand's Parliament buildings are available on the hour, every hour between 10 am and 4 pm seven days a week.

As well as taking you inside the famous Beehive (a building shaped like its name would suggest!) and other buildings, you'll learn about New Zealand's parliamentary processes and history and see some amazing photos and pieces of art.

Group sizes are limited, so you need to make a booking via phone or email at least 24 hours in advance. You need to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, go through security screening, and check-in any bags before the tour starts.

Cameras and phones are not allowed on the tours and some areas are off-limits to the public, such as the Prime Minister's office.

As somebody who is lucky enough to be living in Wellington, I've done this tour several times with visitors and have found it to be very different each time as the different hosts have different stories to tell.

5. Old Saint Paul's

Old Saint Paul's Church in Wellington

Old Saint Paul's is a beautiful little church, built with different types of wood native to New Zealand (such as totara, kauri, and rimu).

This unique wooden church was built in 1866, the entire building was finished in a mere nine months!

The church is beautiful both on the outside and as well as inside. The lighting within Old Saint Paul's is stunning, filtering through the stained glass windows and creating a very special atmosphere.     

Old Saint Paul's is one of the best examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the world, a Wellington landmark, and a popular wedding venue.

The church was almost demolished in the 1960s, luckily it was purchased by the New Zealand Government and subsequently renovated.

Extensive earthquake-strengthening works have been executed in 2019, to preserve Old Saint Paul's for future generations.

6. Wellington Waterfront

New Zealand Wellington Waterfront by Ioana Stoica

Ioana from The World Is My Playground: one of the most beautiful places in Wellington is the bustling waterfront.

Separating the central city from the water, the pedestrian-only waterfront is one of the best places to visit in Wellington. It has the perfect mix of adventure, culture, history, and beautiful scenery.

The best time of day to visit is early in the morning and experience the serenity this area has to offer. If you’re a morning person, get there just after sunrise to see the sun dancing on the water in the golden hour glow.

Wander around and explore the area or take the Writer’s Walk to see the 19 text sculptures with quotations about the city of Wellington.

Keep an eye out for the beautiful Maori carvings and unique sculptures that you’ll see while you walk around.

For adventure types, there’s plenty to do in the area as well. Hire a bike from a nearby shop, go roller skating, rock climbing, or rent a kayak or paddleboard to see the waterfront from a different angle.

Other points of interest are the Wellington Museum, the Wharf, Chaffers Marina, and the sandy beach at Oriental Bay.

Oriental Bay also has quaint cafes that are perfect for taking a break or enjoying delicious gelato.

Things to do near Wellington

There aren't just many top things to do in Wellington center. If you venture a little further afield there is a whole lot more to be explored.

7. Learn about conservation at the Zealandia Ecosanctuary

Zealandia Wellington

Viola from the Blessing Bucket: if you are an animal lover, check out Zealandia in Wellington.

This world-renowned urban ecosanctuary is home to many of New Zealand’s rare and endangered native wildlife, mostly birds and reptiles.

Zealandia started as a conservation project with a beautiful 500-year plan to recover Wellington valleys, forests, and freshwater ecosystems.

Their vision is to restore the area to its pre-human state as close as possible and undo much of the damage brought on by mammalian predators.

Since the start of this ambitious plan, Zealandia has been able to reintroduce 18 species of native wildlife back to the area. 

As you walk around the grounds, which are set around a stunning reservoir, you can see many endemic birds and creatures, such as little spotted kiwi, kākā, and tuatara. 

It only takes a mere 10 minutes to get to Zealandia from Wellington CBD, by car or with public transport. Zealandia is open Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.

Consider joining one of the informative tours led by knowledgeable guides, who will point out all the special species living in the sanctuary and teach you all about the unique natural history of New Zealand.

8. Mount Victoria Lookout

Mount Victoria Wellington

Katie from Two Wandering Soles: getting a glimpse of Wellington from above should definitely be on your list of things to do in New Zealand.

While not exactly a true mountain, Mount Victoria stands 196 meters (643 feet) tall and offers sweeping 360-degree views of the capital city and bay below. 

Depending on how much time you have and how fit you are, there are a few different ways to get to the viewpoint at the top.

The easiest and quickest way to reach the viewpoint is to drive. You can also catch Bus 20 from Courtenay Place, which will bring you to the top for around $4 NZD.

If you’re up for a bit of exercise and have more time to kill, you can also hike up to the lookout point.

There are a couple of different walking routes that lead to the summit, some through pine tree forests and others with more exposed views.

Once you reach the top, be prepared for strong winds. The lookout at Mount Victoria’s summit is exposed to the elements, so there is no protection on rainy or windy days.

Also, be sure to bring your phone or camera, because you’ll definitely want to capture the beautiful views!

9. The Weta Cave

Weta Cave in Wellington

Stuart from Just Travelling Through: Wellington has a long-standing movie history and is often referred to as the film capital of New Zealand.

Both for the filming locations around the city, as well as the studios based in the area. If you love movies, a visit to the Weta Cave Workshop must be incorporated into your trip to Wellington.

The Weta Cave is a special effects workshop based on the outskirts of the city. These guys are the best of the best and have collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Peter Jackson.

They've worked on incredible high-profile projects, such as The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.

Located around 8km from Wellington city center in the Miramar suburb, the Weta Cave is open 364 days a year from 9 am to 5:30 pm.

If you only want to visit the shop and watch the documentary (shown every 30 minutes) entry is free.

You can also see the famous trolls from the Lord of the Rings franchise lurking menacingly outside and pose for a photo with them.

Tours of the workshop are a must-do for any movie fan looking for a behind-the-scenes glimpse.

If you don't have a rental car or campervan, bus number 2 from Wellington will take you to Miramar.

Check the best rental car deals for your NZ road trip

10. Hike the Paekakariki Escarpment Track

Paekakariki Escarpment Track New Zealand

Jennifer from Backyard Travel Family: the Paekakariki Escarpment Track has to be one of the most scenic walks in Wellington. 

Just an hour by train from Wellington train station, or a 35-minute drive from Wellington City, it's easily accessible by locals and international visitors alike.

This track showcases New Zealand’s amazing coastline, where on a beautiful clear day, you can see all the way to the South Island. 

You can view the incredible blue shoreline throughout the majority of the track, including Kapiti Island, a bird sanctuary and nature reserve.

This 10 km track takes around 3-4 hours to complete and runs from Paekakariki to Pukerua Bay. It is part of the Te Araroa Trail which runs the length of New Zealand.

Do be aware that this is not a track for the faint of heart. It’s also known as New Zealand’s Stairway to Heaven and is very steep in parts.

Beware if you have vertigo and a fear of heights. This is a trail right on the edge of the cliff. There are two amazing swing bridges to cross which are surely the highlights of the walk.

Hiking this trail is free thanks to the amazing Department of Conservation

Make sure you bring your own water and food as there is none available on the trail. Sunscreen, a hat, and a jacket are recommended as the track is extremely exposed.

Getting here is easy, just hop on a train to Paekakariki train station or Pukerua Bay Station (or drive and park here).

The track starts close to both of these train stations. You can walk the trail in either direction, but our preference is to start at Paekakariki.

Best places in Wellington to eat or have a drink

Boulcott Street Bistro

Boulcott Street Bistro

Nicole from Nicole LaBarge Travel: I've been living in Wellington for 15 years now and if there is one thing Wellingtonians know, it's good food.

With so many places to eat, it can be hard to choose! The best thing to do is to ask a local what their favorite Wellington restaurant is, and you are sure to have a good meal there.

Boulcott Street Bistro is a Wellington institution that has been around since 1991.  The bistro serves modern fare along with classic bistro dishes.

It’s a favorite place of mine to celebrate a birthday, but it's also a great place to treat yourself to a nice dinner or lunch.

My favorite dish is the steak with béarnaise sauce and pomme frites and red sauce au jus.  It's simply perfection.

Honestly, you could order anything here and it would be delicious, from the Sunday Roast to the scallops. Just make sure you leave room for dessert!

Craft beer tasting

Craft beer tasting Wellington

Nicholas from the Rambling Feet: Wellington happens to be the New Zealand craft beer capital.

Every August, the Beervana festival takes place in the city and it attracts breweries and beer lovers across the country and further afield for three days of drinking the best, boldest, and wildest beers you'll ever encounter.

Even if you visit the city at other times, there are plenty of craft bars and taprooms to explore.

Garage Project's Cellar Door, Fortune Favours, Heyday Brewing Co., Panhead's Tory Street Bar, and Tuatara's The Third Eye “temple of taste” are all located in Te Aro, while ParrotDog's taproom is in Lyall Bay, which is close to the airport.

If you feel adventurous, Panhead's tasting room is at their brewery in Upper Hutt, a short drive away. Prefer to try everything in one place?

You can head to the underground Hashigo Zake, the Little Beer Quarter, Golding's Free Dive, or Fork & Brewer.

This list is hardly exhaustive, though, so go ahead and explore the city. It's all too easy for your visit to turn into your own craft beer festival!

The beer selection usually changes regularly at these places, but I can recommend the following if you see them:

  • Garage Project Yuzu Pernicious Weed (Double IPA)
  • Garage Project Fuzzbox (Hazy pale ale)
  • Panhead Supercharger (American pale ale)
  • ParrotDog Glen (Boysenberry kettle sour)
  • ParrotDog Keith (Hazy IPA)
  • ParrotDog Terry (Stout)
  • Tuatara Hefeweizen (Wheat beer)

The best places to stay in Wellington

Wellington offers plenty of accommodation for any budget. From free campsites to 5-star boutique hotels, the choice is yours when looking for the best Wellington places to stay.

Owhiro Bay Campground (free)

Owhiro Bay Wellington

If you have a self-contained campervan you can stay at Owhiro Bay campsite for free! It's only a 10-minute drive from Wellington, and from the campsite, you can enjoy a beautiful ocean view.

Note that this is a popular campsite and it's advised to arrive early as spots fill up quickly. Also, know that this is a very windy spot to spend the night. Not an issue, but good to know.

The Marion Hostel ☆☆

This clean and centrally located accommodation offers a double room with a shared bathroom. Friendly staff, spacious rooms, and comfortable beds make The Marion Hostel excellent value for money.

Click here to book

Sofitel Wellington ☆☆☆☆☆

The Sofitel Wellington offers city-view rooms with a comfortable bed, a modern bathroom, high-speed internet, tea-making facilities, and lots of other amenities.

The genuinely nice staff will make you feel at home and are always happy to help with any questions you may have about Wellington. A highly recommended place to stay!

Click here to book

Bolton Hotel ☆☆☆☆☆

If you're looking for an elegant 5-star boutique hotel in Wellington, the Bolton Hotel is the best place to stay.

The Bolton Hotel offers a choice of spacious studios and suites (suites come with a fully equipped kitchen!).

Furthermore, there is a fitness center, a spa pool, and the in-house restaurant Artisan serves delicious modern New Zealand dishes. This hotel is great for couples but also welcomes traveling families.

Click here to book

The best Wellington activities: in conclusion

I hope this post has given you lots of inspiration for your Wellington trip! It's such a lovely city and it's dangerously easy to stay (a lot) longer than you planned.

Looking for more New Zealand posts? Also read these articles:

This post was updated in November 2022.

Darlene Martin

Monday 6th of April 2020

Looking forward to self-driving in New Zealand in Nov and Dec 2021. Thanks for all the tips and places to see in new Zealand especially all the info on the beautiful lakes. We cannot wait to see the scenery in New Zealand. We are going to book B&B's before we go.

Lotte

Thursday 9th of April 2020

Hi Darlene,

Thank you for reading my New Zealand posts and I'm happy to hear these have helped you plan your NZ road trip for 2021:-) Have an amazing time there!

Lotte

Meera Shankar

Sunday 2nd of February 2020

Wow, Wellington has a lovely melange of things to do for any traveler! Cuba Street and the cable car ride sound so exciting :) Can't wait to plan my New Zealand trip. Is Wellington the best place to travel to in New Zealand if you're on a budget?

Lotte

Sunday 2nd of February 2020

Hi Meera,

Thanks for reading, Wellington is lovely indeed! Regarding your question, you can definitely travel Wellington on a budget, however, that depends on your travel style. We stayed at a free campsite and cooked our own food in our campervan. Most activities in Wellington we did were either free or not expensive. But if you go for lunch, dinner or a craft beer tour expenses will obviously be higher. Nevertheless, enjoy your NZ/Wellington trip!

Lotte

Magda

Friday 20th of December 2019

Hi, how to get back from this Paekakariki Escarpment Track back to Wellington?

Lotte

Saturday 21st of December 2019

Hi Magda,

Excellent question! The trail starts at Paekakariki Station (36 minutes from Wellington) and ends at Pukerua station (46 minutes to Wellington). Both are located along the Kapiti Line, which runs between Wellington and Waikanae. Enjoy the trail:-)

Lotte

Brian & Noelle

Thursday 9th of June 2016

Great post Lotte! We loved Wellington too but only had two days to see it all as our ferry crossing was booked so we felt quite rushed and didn't get to see as much as we wanted. We'll have to go back! ;-)

Lotte

Thursday 9th of June 2016

Thanks Brian and Noelle! I really like your post too, seems like we have the same interests! Going back to New Zealand is always a great idea;-)

Antonette

Sunday 24th of January 2016

I loved Wellington! In fact, we once played with the idea to move to NZ and then our pick to live, would've been there. However, we never got that far and ended up buying a house in the town we live still these days. Last time we were there, the weather was horrible but the first time around, it was amazing. I am sure people who live in Wellington live a great life :-)

Lotte

Sunday 24th of January 2016

Wow, that would have been awesome! But from the pictures I see on your FB and Instagram, the Veluwe also suits you very well;-)