Things to do in Wellington
From Martinborough wine weekends and the Cook Strait ferry to Weta Workshop and respectful Māori culture, here's what's actually worth your time
Top experiences in Wellington
The most-loved activities by Wellington Trip readers — instant booking, free cancellation on most tours.
Browse by category
City guide
Wellington waterfront, Cuba Street, Mount Victoria and the neighbourhoods worth your time
14 guides
Day trips
Martinborough wine country, Kāpiti Island and the ferry crossing to Picton and Marlborough — with real logistics
8 guides
Food and drink
Coffee capital cafes, Cuba Street eats, craft-beer trail and harbourside dining
12 guides
Wine
Martinborough vineyards, Marlborough sauvignon blanc and wine day-trip logistics from Wellington
10 guides
Film locations
LOTR filming locations, Weta Workshop, the Miramar film district and Wellywood
8 guides
Māori culture
Respectful, educational guides to Te Papa's Māori collections and cultural experiences
4 guides
Nature and outdoors
Zealandia, the botanic garden, Kāpiti Island nature reserve and Wellington's coastal walks
7 guides
Wildlife
Kaikōura whale watching, Cape Palliser seal colonies and harbour wildlife cruises
5 guides
Adventure
Cable-car hikes, mountain biking, harbour kayaking and the Cook Strait ferry crossing
8 guides
Culture and history
Te Papa, Parliament, City Gallery and Wellington's maritime heritage
8 guides
Family travel
Kid-friendly day trips, Te Papa with kids, rainy-day backups and Kāpiti/Zealandia for families
4 guides
Getting around
Metlink and the Snapper card, the cable car, the Cook Strait ferry and driving to Wairarapa
6 guides
Trip planning
Budgets, NZeTA and IVL, where to stay and how many days to spend
6 guides
Seasonal guides
Best time to visit, wind survival, the autumn value season and the festival calendar
5 guides
Comparisons
Wellington vs Auckland, Interislander vs Bluebridge, Martinborough vs Marlborough
5 guides
Honest planner
Tourist traps, "is it worth it" verdicts and where the crowds aren't
6 guides