Wellington Must Do's

You'll find plenty to see and do within Wellington's compact downtown area. Make time to explore the wildlife areas surrounding the city too.

Take a tour - discover former Lord of the Rings filming sites with one of Wellington's tour companies.
Downtown Wellington's four unique quarters offer great shopping, bars, cafes and restaurants - all within easy walking distance.
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 again.

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.
Wellington has a strong theatre culture. See a live show and concert any night of the week.
The Museum of Wellington presents the intriguing tales of Wellington in an interactive and entertaining way. Free entry.
Explore many of the boutique art galleries peppered throughout the city.
Walk around the stunning waterfront and follow the Wellington Writer's Walk - poetry and book excerpts are part of the scenery.

A restored, historic cable car travels from downtown Wellington up to the Botanic Garden, where there are sweeping views of the city and harbour.
Enjoy a tour of Parliament Buildings which 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 Speight's Ale House.
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.

The best way to appreciate the beauty of Wellington's natural environment is to get out there.

Visit an inner city slice of native paradise at Zealandia - The Karori Sanctuary Experience, home to some of New Zealand's rarities including kiwi.
Enjoy animal antics at Wellington Zoo - New Zealand's oldest zoological park.
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.
Take a four-wheel drive tour to the south coast and see a colony of New Zealand fur seals.
Mountain bike through the re-generating native bush of Makara Peak, a nationally acclaimed mountain bike park.
Take a bush walk in Otari-Wilton's Bush, New Zealand's only botanic garden dedicated solely to native forest.

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