Mount Victoria Lookout
FREE
You can get the best views of the city and harbour from Mount Victoria Lookout. This is one of the best places you can go to in Wellington for a walk or bike ride. There are two ways that you can summit, either by taking the shorter loop (45mins) by starting at the top of Majoribanks Street or Bayview Terrace or a longer one (1.5hrs) from Courtenay Place up to Majoribanks Street.
Cuba Street
FREE
Cuba Street is undoubtedly Wellington’s cultural hub. This street was originally home to some of New Zealand’s first European settlers and it currently has more than 40 heritage buildings because of this. Cuba street today typically attracts a younger crowd with its many bars and great nightlife. There is so much to love about this place during the day with its vintage shops, record stores, cafes, street art, and so much more!
Te Papa Museum
FREE
The Museum of New Zealand also known as Te Papa Tongarewa, is New Zealand’s national museum that you MUST visit when you are in Wellington. Admissions are free for everyone but charges may apply to interactive activities within the museum.
Wellington Central Waterfront
FREE
Taking a stroll by Wellington’s waterfront is a great way to unwind for a day, but spending a morning or afternoon here isn’t a bad idea either. If you start off at Queens Wharf and continue your way down the waterfront you’ll find stretches within the harbour with great cafes and sandy beaches. The city has invested a lot of money in restoring this area and have built several walkways and footbridges for people to use.
Putangirua Pinnacles
FREE
The Putangirua Pinnacles truly feel otherworldly, which is probably why it's no coincidence that parts of The Lord Of The Rings franchise were filmed here. If you are coming here to hike, the best time would be during dawn when you’ll get to experience the rising sun shimmering through these ancient rock formations.
Weta Cave
FREE
This is an additional activity for Lord of the Rings fans. Here, you will be able to see the replica of props of the film the Weta team has worked on and an exclusive behind the scene documentary. They are also known for their amazing gift shop. Admission is free.
Cable Car
Tickets are NZ $5-$9 For Adults
Wellington Cable Car is a railway in Wellington that will take you from the busy business district of Wellington to the suburbs of Kelburn in just about 5-10 minutes. This train ride is a great opportunity to get the full experience of both sides. The train runs every 10 minutes.
Zealandia
Adult General Admission: NZ $19.50
With over 225 hectares in size, this wildlife eco sanctuary is located in central Wellington and is home to some of the world's most amazing animals. Since its inception, this conservation project has reintroduced 20 species of native wildlife back into the area, some of which hadn’t been since in the previous 100 years in New Zealand. You can explore Zealandia on your own or with a guide who can show you the best places around the forest to find rare wildlife.
Botanic Garden
Admission is NZ$18 for adults
The Wellington Botanic Garden can be found at the top of the Cable Car, and will provide you with great views on the bustling city. This 25 hectare garden is a true natural marvel with its exotic trees, protected native forests, and colourful gardens. While here be sure to check out the street art, duck pond, and the walking tracks that you can either do on your own or with a guided tour.
