Wellington travel guides
In-depth guides to help you plan every aspect of your Wellington trip, from Martinborough wine logistics to NZeTA visa requirements
City guide (14)
Best views in Wellington
Wellington's best viewpoints ranked — Mount Victoria, the cable car terminal, Oriental Bay and scenic flights — with notes on which are worth the cost.
Cuba Street guide: Wellington's bohemian heart
A complete guide to Cuba Street — Wellington's café, craft-beer and independent-shopping strip — including the Bucket Fountain and street art.
Free things to do in Wellington
Wellington's best free attractions — Te Papa, the waterfront, Mount Victoria, the Botanic Garden and more — for visitors travelling on a budget.
Mount Victoria lookout guide
How to reach Mount Victoria's summit lookout in Wellington — walking routes, driving access, mountain-biking trails and the best time to go for the view.
Rainy-day things to do in Wellington
Wellington's best indoor options for a wet day — Te Papa, City Gallery, Zealandia's covered trails, and where to eat and drink without getting soaked.
Things to do in Wellington: the complete guide
Wellington's best attractions, from Te Papa and the cable car to Weta Workshop and Zealandia — what's worth your time and how to fit it in.
Wellington first-timer's guide
Everything a first-time Wellington visitor needs — what to prioritise, practical logistics, honest expectations, and common mistakes to avoid.
Wellington hidden gems
Wellington's lesser-known spots — quiet lookouts, small museums and neighbourhood secrets — for visitors who've already covered Te Papa and the cable car.
Wellington in 1 day: how to make the most of a short visit
A realistic one-day Wellington plan — Te Papa, the cable car, Cuba Street and the waterfront — for cruise stopovers, transit days and tight schedules.
Wellington in 2 days: the complete itinerary
A realistic two-day Wellington plan covering Te Papa, the cable car, Weta Workshop or Zealandia, Cuba Street and the waterfront — with pacing advice.
Wellington in 3 days: the complete itinerary
A three-day Wellington plan that adds a Martinborough wine day trip or a deeper film-and-nature combination to the CBD's core sights.
Wellington neighbourhoods guide
A guide to Wellington's key neighbourhoods — Cuba Street and Te Aro, Oriental Bay, Miramar and Thorndon — covering character and where to base yourself.
Wellington nightlife guide
Wellington's nightlife scene, from Cuba Street's bars and craft-beer taprooms to Courtenay Place's later venues, with honest safety notes for after dark.
Wellington waterfront walk: a complete route guide
A turn-by-turn Wellington waterfront walking route from Te Papa to Queens Wharf, covering public art, swimming spots, cafés and honest café warnings.
Day trips (8)
Best day trips from Wellington
The best day trips from Wellington ranked by realistic travel time, from a 45-minute Kāpiti Coast run to the Cook Strait ferry crossing to Picton.
Cape Palliser day trip guide
Planning a Cape Palliser day trip: realistic timing for the seal colony and lighthouse, self-drive vs guided tour, and the full-day structure.
Greytown day trip guide
Planning a Greytown day trip: the heritage main street, boutique shopping, combining with Martinborough, and drive times over the Remutaka Range.
Hutt Valley day trip guide
Planning a Hutt Valley day trip from Wellington: craft breweries, the car museum, Petone's waterfront, and combining with the Remutaka Rail Trail.
Kāpiti Island day trip guide
Planning a Kāpiti Island day trip from Wellington: booking through authorised operators, drive and boat logistics, and what the sanctuary offers.
Martinborough day trip from Wellington
Planning a Martinborough day trip: drive time over the Remutaka Range, tour options, tasting-room pacing, and day trip vs staying overnight.
Palliser wild coast day trip
A wild-coast day trip combining Putangirua Pinnacles and Cape Palliser's coastline, with realistic timing versus a standard Cape Palliser trip.
Picton and Marlborough day trip via ferry
The honest logistics of a Picton day trip via the Cook Strait ferry from Wellington: real timings, what you can fit in, and when to stay overnight instead.
Food and drink (12)
Best brunch in Wellington
Wellington's best brunch spots, from Floriditas and Loretta on Cuba Street to Oriental Bay's Maranui Café, with real prices and honest picks.
Best food tours in Wellington
Wellington's guided food tours compared — walking food tours, chocolate walks and craft-beer tastings, with routes, prices and who each one suits.
Best restaurants in Wellington
Wellington's best restaurants across budgets — from Logan Brown and Hiakai to Cuba Street casual dining — with real NZ$ prices and honest recommendations.
Cheap eats in Wellington
Where to eat well in Wellington for under NZ$20 a meal — Cuba Street noodle bars, food courts, bakeries and markets, with real prices.
Cuba Street food guide
A block-by-block food guide to Cuba Street — cafés, restaurants, noodle bars and bakeries, with real prices and honest picks across every budget.
Harbourside dining in Wellington
Wellington's waterfront restaurants and cafés reviewed honestly — which harbour-view spots earn their premium and which don't, with real NZ$ prices.
Wellington night markets
Wellington's night market at Waitangi Park — stalls, prices, timing and how it compares to the daytime Harbourside Market, plus honest tips.
Vegan & vegetarian Wellington
Wellington's best vegan and vegetarian restaurants and cafés, from Aunty Mena's to plant-based-friendly Cuba Street kitchens, with real prices.
Wellington coffee capital guide
Why Wellington calls itself New Zealand's coffee capital, the roasters and cafés behind that claim, real prices, and where the hype is actually earned.
Wellington craft-beer trail
Wellington's craft-beer scene: the breweries and bars behind the reputation, real prices per pint, Beervana festival, and how to build an evening trail.
Wellington markets guide
Wellington's best markets — the Sunday Harbourside Market, the Wellington Night Market and seasonal food festivals — with timings, stalls and prices.
The waterfront café warning (honest take)
An honest look at Wellington's waterfront cafés near Te Papa — where the harbour-view premium is worth paying and where Cuba Street is simply better value.
Wine (10)
Best Martinborough wineries
Martinborough's best wineries matched to what each visitor wants: booking-only prestige, easy walk-in tastings, food, or a relaxed first tasting.
Cloudy Bay vineyard guide
Visiting Cloudy Bay in Marlborough: history, cellar door tastings, prices in NZD, how it fits into a wider wine tour, and what makes it worth the stop.
The Marlborough sauvignon blanc story
How Marlborough sauvignon blanc grew from a 1970s planting into New Zealand's defining wine export, and what makes the region's style distinctive.
Marlborough wine tour from Picton
Doing a Marlborough wine day from Picton after the ferry: distance to Blenheim's wineries, tour options, timing, and whether to stay overnight.
Martinborough by bike
How to cycle Martinborough's wineries: bike hire in town, the flat farm-road loop, which cellar doors are realistic in a day, and how to handle the wind.
Martinborough harvest season guide
When Martinborough's grape harvest happens, what changes at cellar doors during picking, and how to time a visit around Toast Martinborough.
Martinborough wine guide
Martinborough wine guide: which wineries to book, what tastings cost in NZD, when to go, and how to get there from Wellington without a designated driver.
Wairarapa vs Marlborough wine
Wairarapa (Martinborough) vs Marlborough wine regions compared honestly: grape, scale, distance from Wellington, cost, and which suits which kind of trip.
Wine and food pairings: Wairarapa & Marlborough
What to eat with Martinborough pinot noir and Marlborough sauvignon blanc: named restaurants, regional specialties, and planning a food-and-wine day.
Wine day-trip logistics from Wellington
Practical logistics for a Martinborough wine day trip from Wellington: driving vs tour, timing, holiday closures, and what to do without a car.
Film locations (8)
Kaitoke Regional Park (Rivendell)
How to visit Kaitoke Regional Park, where Rivendell's exteriors were filmed: walking times, what's actually there, and getting there without a car.
Lord of the Rings filming locations in Wellington
Where Lord of the Rings was actually filmed around Wellington: Kaitoke (Rivendell), Dry Creek Quarry, Mount Victoria, and what's genuinely worth visiting.
Miramar film tour guide
How to spend a half-day in Miramar, Wellington's film-production suburb: Weta Workshop, Stone Street Studios, the Roxy Cinema and the Wellywood sign.
Putangirua Pinnacles (Paths of the Dead)
How to visit Putangirua Pinnacles, Wairarapa filming location for the Paths of the Dead: walking times, driving directions and honest advice.
The Wellywood sign guide
The story behind Wellington's Hollywood-style hillside sign, why it doesn't actually say 'Wellywood', and where to see it near the airport.
Weta and Hollywood: Avatar, Hunger Games & beyond
Beyond Lord of the Rings: how Wellington's Weta studios worked on Avatar, King Kong, District 9, The Hunger Games and other Hollywood productions.
Weta Cave vs Weta Workshop
Weta Cave and Weta Workshop are often confused. Here's what each actually is, what it costs, and which one (or both) is worth your time in Miramar.
Weta Workshop guide
A practical guide to visiting Weta Workshop in Miramar, Wellington: what the tour covers, ticket prices, how long to allow, and whether it's worth it.
Māori culture (4)
Guided waka experience in Wellington
What a guided waka (canoe) paddling experience on Wellington harbour involves, what it costs, and how it connects to the region's Māori history.
Hidden Māori treasures tour guide
A walking-tour guide to Wellington's pre-colonial Māori history: former pā sites, place names and their meanings, hidden beneath the modern CBD.
Te Papa Māori collections guide
A guide to Te Papa's Māori collections and marae: what's on display, cultural protocols to know, and how to get the most from a visit.
Te reo Māori basics for visitors
A practical primer on te reo Māori for visitors to Wellington: pronunciation basics, common phrases, and how to read regional place names correctly.
Nature and outdoors (7)
Abel Tasman day-trip guide
Abel Tasman day-trip guide: golden sand beaches, cruise and walking combos, getting there from Nelson or Wellington, and honest trip-length advice.
Cape Palliser seals and lighthouse guide
Cape Palliser guide: the North Island's largest seal colony, the red-and-white lighthouse, driving there from Wellington, and when to see seals in numbers.
Kāpiti Island Nature Reserve guide
Kāpiti Island Nature Reserve guide: why you must book through a licensed operator, what wildlife to expect, ferry crossing details and honest cost advice.
Marlborough Sounds cruise guide
Marlborough Sounds cruise guide from Picton: Ship Cove and Queen Charlotte Sound cruise options, seafood and mail-boat trips, wildlife and how to book.
Queen Charlotte Track hiking guide
Queen Charlotte Track guide from Picton: day-walk sections, the full 70 km multi-day track, water taxi access, huts and how to plan it from Wellington.
Remutaka Forest Park guide
Remutaka Forest Park guide: the historic rail incline, the rail trail cycle route, walking tracks and how to get there from Wellington and the Hutt Valley.
Wellington Botanic Garden guide
Wellington Botanic Garden guide: how to get there, what to see across its 25 hectares, seasonal highlights and whether to pair it with the cable car.
Wildlife (5)
Kaikōura whale-watching guide
Kaikoura whale-watching guide: cruise versus scenic flight, sperm whale sightings year-round, seasickness advice, cost and getting there from Wellington.
Wellington harbour seal colony guide
Wellington seal colony guide: the south coast colony near Red Rocks and Sinclair Head, walking access, tour options, best season and viewing etiquette.
Wellington Zoo guide
Wellington Zoo guide: ticket prices, the native and exotic animal mix, family-friendly layout, opening hours and how it compares with Zealandia.
Zealandia by night guide
Zealandia by night guide: what the tour involves, your realistic chance of spotting a kiwi, booking advice, what to wear and how it compares to a day tour.
Zealandia complete guide
Zealandia complete guide: the fenced ecosanctuary's wildlife, day tour and self-guided options, ticket prices, hours, trails and honest visiting advice.
Adventure (8)
The Cook Strait ferry as an adventure
Why the Wellington-Picton Cook Strait ferry is worth treating as an experience in itself, including Marlborough Sounds scenery and rough-weather realities.
Escarpment Track guide
The Escarpment Track along the Kāpiti Coast: distance, difficulty, the two suspension bridges, and how to get there from Wellington by car or train.
Helicopter and scenic flights over Wellington
Scenic helicopter flights over Wellington: flight lengths, real prices, what each route covers, and whether the splurge is worth it for the views.
Makara Peak mountain bike park
Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park: graded trails, difficulty levels, getting there from Wellington, and how it compares to Mount Victoria's town-belt trails.
Mount Victoria mountain biking
Mount Victoria's mountain-biking trails, how they compare to Makara Peak, e-bike tour options, and what riders need to know about access from the CBD.
Remutaka Rail Trail guide
The Remutaka Rail Trail: distance, difficulty, e-bike tour options, and how to plan a one-way ride between the Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa.
Cable car and hikes guide
How to combine the Wellington cable car with the Botanic Garden's trails and the Northern Walkway for a half-day of walking and views without a car.
Wellington harbour kayaking
Kayaking on Wellington harbour: launch points, wind conditions to watch for, guided options, and how it compares to Kāpiti Island's sea-kayak tours.
Culture and history (8)
City Gallery Wellington guide
City Gallery Wellington guide: the current Civic Square closure, temporary National Library exhibitions, reopening date, free entry and what to expect.
Katherine Mansfield House guide
Katherine Mansfield House and Garden guide: the writer's Thorndon childhood home, opening hours, entry fee, what's inside, and why it's worth an hour.
Museum of Wellington guide
Museum of Wellington guide: inside the historic Bond Store, the Wahine disaster exhibit, opening hours, entry cost and how it pairs with Te Papa.
NZ Parliament & the Beehive tour guide
Free guided tours of NZ Parliament and the Beehive: how to book, tour times, what you'll see inside the debating chamber, and honest visiting tips.
Old St Paul's Wellington guide
Old St Paul's guide: Wellington's timber Gothic Revival former cathedral near Parliament, free entry, opening hours and why it's often overlooked.
Te Papa complete guide
Te Papa complete guide: the new international-visitor entry fee, free entry for NZ residents, must-see exhibits, hours, and how to plan a visit.
Wellington maritime heritage guide
Wellington's maritime heritage: Te Whanganui-a-Tara's Māori history, 1840s settler arrivals, the 1968 Wahine disaster, and where to see this history.
Zealandia's conservation history
How Zealandia went from a forgotten Karori water reservoir to the world's first fully fenced urban ecosanctuary, and the reintroductions that followed.
Family travel (4)
Kāpiti & Zealandia with kids
Kāpiti Island or Zealandia with kids: boat crossing vs flexible visit length, cost, walking demands, and which suits younger vs older children.
Rainy-day Wellington with kids
A complete rainy-day itinerary for families in Wellington: Te Papa, the Museum of Wellington, indoor pools, and how to pace a wet day with children.
Te Papa with kids
Te Papa with kids: which galleries land best by age, the international-visitor entry fee for teens, stroller access, timing, and a realistic visit plan.
Wellington with kids
Wellington with kids: age-by-age advice, honest budget numbers, which neighbourhoods work best, and how to balance Te Papa, the zoo and Zealandia.
Getting around (6)
Do you need a car in Wellington?
Whether to rent a car for a Wellington trip — when the city's walkability and Metlink cover you, and when day trips genuinely justify the cost.
Driving to the Wairarapa from Wellington
The drive from Wellington over the Remutaka Range to Martinborough and the wider Wairarapa — route, timing, road conditions and whether to drive or tour.
Getting around Wellington (Metlink)
How to use Wellington's Metlink buses and trains, what a fare costs, ticketing options and how the network reaches Kāpiti and the Wairarapa.
Interislander vs Bluebridge ferry guide
Comparing Interislander and Bluebridge for the Wellington to Picton crossing — prices, onboard experience, timetables and booking tips.
Wellington airport to city guide
How to get from Wellington Airport into the city — the Airport Express bus, taxis, rideshares and rental car pickup, with realistic times and costs.
Wellington cable car visitor guide
Everything to know before riding the Wellington Cable Car — prices, timetable, the Kelburn viewpoint and how it links to the Botanic Garden.
Trip planning (6)
2 days vs 3 days in Wellington
Whether 2 or 3 days in Wellington suits your trip better — what you can realistically cover in each, and what an extra day genuinely adds.
Best time to visit Wellington
When to visit Wellington by season — temperatures, rainfall, crowds and prices for autumn, summer, winter and spring, and which suits your trip.
NZeTA & IVL guide for Wellington visitors
How the NZeTA and International Visitor Levy work for visitors arriving in Wellington — eligibility, cost, application process and timing.
Packing list for windy Wellington
What to actually pack for Wellington's wind and changeable weather — clothing, footwear and the gear that genuinely helps, season by season.
Wellington trip cost & budget guide
Realistic daily costs for a Wellington trip — accommodation, food, attractions and transport — across budget, mid-range and comfortable travel styles.
Where to stay in Wellington
Wellington's best neighbourhoods for visitors — CBD, Te Aro/Cuba Street, Oriental Bay, Thorndon and Miramar — matched to trip length and travel style.
Seasonal guides (5)
Wellington festivals & events calendar
Wellington's festival calendar: World of WearableArt, CubaDupa, Beervana, Matariki and the arts festival — what happens when, and how to plan around it.
Wellington in autumn
Wellington in autumn (March-May): 18-25°C days, thinning crowds, lower prices and the Botanic Garden's best foliage — the season locals recommend first.
Wellington in spring
Wellington in spring (September-November): warming days, changeable rain and the year's strongest winds, alongside longer daylight and thinner crowds.
Wellington in summer
Wellington in summer (December-February): 18-25°C days, the calmest stretch of the windy city's year, peak crowds and prices, and the best outdoor season.
Wellington in winter
Wellington in winter (June-August): 8-14°C, rain and stronger winds, but 30-40% lower prices — a realistic look at whether the budget season is worth it.
Comparisons (5)
Interislander vs Bluebridge: which ferry?
Interislander vs Bluebridge compared honestly: price, schedule, ships, onboard experience and which operator suits which kind of Cook Strait crossing.
Is Weta Workshop worth it?
Is the Weta Workshop tour in Wellington worth the price? An honest breakdown of what you actually see, the cost in NZD, and who should skip it.
Martinborough vs Marlborough wine
Martinborough vs Marlborough wine regions head to head: grape, scale, distance, cost and cellar-door culture, so you can pick the right one for your trip.
Wellington vs Auckland for a city break
Wellington vs Auckland compared honestly for a short city break: size, walkability, food scene, day trips, weather and which suits which kind of traveller.
Zealandia vs Wellington Zoo
Zealandia vs Wellington Zoo compared honestly: what you'll see, entry prices in NZD, time needed, and which suits families or wildlife enthusiasts.
Honest planner (6)
Cook Strait ferry booking pitfalls
Common Cook Strait ferry booking mistakes — tight connections, car booking confusion, seasonal delays and refund policies — and how to avoid each one.
Kaikōura as a day trip: reality check
Kaikōura from Wellington takes 5-8 hours each way via the Cook Strait ferry. An honest look at why it doesn't work as a day trip, and what to do instead.
Realistic Wellington trip budget
An honest breakdown of what a Wellington trip actually costs — accommodation, food, transport and attractions in real NZD figures by season and tier.
Wellington tourist traps & overpriced spots
An honest list of Wellington's overpriced tourist traps — waterfront cafés, harbour ferry add-ons, souvenir pricing — with better-value alternatives.
Wellington wind survival guide
A practical guide to Wellington's famous wind — how strong it gets, which streets are worst, what to pack, and how to plan a trip around it.
Weta Workshop: worth the money?
Weta Workshop costs NZ$50-85 for roughly 1-1.5 hours. An honest look at who gets real value from it, who doesn't, and cheaper alternatives.