Discover cool culinary hubs, markets, movie magic, and more in the New Zealand capital.

Wellington has an energetic vibe that embraces art, culture, and cuisine. Te Papa museum, New Zealand’s national museum, is free to enter and filled with exhibits explaining the country’s geology, cultural diversity, and history. There are loads of other things to do in Wellington in New Zealand as well. Browse the funky boutiques on Cuba Street, have breakfast at one of many great cafes located in the city centre, take a Weta Workshop tour, or visit a harbourside market. The historic Wellington Cable Car offers superb views over the harbour. You can also book one of the many Wellington scenic city tours which are available, see fur seals on a Wellington nature tour or go kiwi spotting at ZEALANDIA.

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Highlights of Wellington

Kiwi on the grass at Zealandia

Spot kiwis at ZEALANDIA Sanctuary

This ground-breaking wildlife sanctuary, which is only a 10 minute drive from central Wellington, is the world’s first fully-fenced urban eco-sanctuary. Sign up for an after-dark tour and, if you are lucky, you might be lucky enough to spot a kiwi in the wild.

Two women dining at a cafe

Check out Cuba Street

Cuba Street and emerging hot spot Hannah’s Laneway offer an intriguing collection of boutique shops, eateries and destination focussed provedores such as the boutique Wellington Chocolate Factory and cute hole-in-the-wall peanut butter store Fix and Fogg.

ANZAC soldier kneeling

Explore Te Papa

New Zealand’s national museum is highly interactive and filled with amazing artefacts and stories about the country’s unique geological, biological and cultural diversity and history. From a touching ANZAC tribute to an earthquake simulator, this museum should not be missed.

Harbourside Markets

Eat at the Harbourside Market

It is worth timing your visit for a weekend so you can explore Wellington’s excellent markets. Sunday’s Harbourside Market is a local favourite filled with colourful food purveyors, providores and peddlers of the city’s finest foods. It’s a great spot for breakfast or lunch.

Wellington Cable Car

Ride the Wellington Cable Car

Wellington Cable Car has been operating for over 100 years and travels from the CBD to the Botanic Gardens with views over the harbour and beyond. It is best enjoyed in good weather so you can make the most of the view and stroll back to the CBD via the gardens.

Making chainmail

Tour the Weta Workshop

You don’t need to be a Lord of the Rings fan to enjoy a Weta Workshop tour. If you’ve ever seen a movie and wondered ‘How do they do that?’ this tour will answer all your questions including how they make fake chain mail and creepy creatures with moving faces.  

Wellington Tour Reviews

Wellington FAQs

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). 

However, we continue to strongly recommend  that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 policy

Wellington Airport is located around eight kilometres from the CBD. The Route 2 – Seatoun public bus stops around 700m from the airport. If you would prefer not to walk, you can catch a taxi or an Uber. Car rental desks are available at the airport and many companies also have an office in town. Vehicle ferry services which also take foot passengers travel between Wellington and Picton daily. The trip across the Cook Strait takes three-and-a-half hours. 

Most places in central Wellington are within easy walking distance although you may encounter some hills along the way. If you would like to travel further afield, it is easy to get to most places using buses, trains or ferries or you can take a taxi or an Uber. 

Click to read more about how to get around Wellington

Wellington's weather is (very) changeable and the city is famous for being windy for a reason. People have been known to get (literally) blown off their feet. Having said that, the climate in Wellington is quite mild with warm summers and cool winters. Wellington is generally busier during the Australian and New Zealand school holidays but not excessively so. 

Click to read more about when's the best time to visit Wellington

In short, pretty much everything. Bring clothes you can layer plus a jumper or jacket, wet weather gear, a hat and a beanie. And don't be surprised if you end up wearing all these things on the same day.

Wellington is a fairly casual place although locals do tend to dress up if they are 'hitting the town' at night. Smart casual is the norm at most restaurants in Wellington, aside from the signature 'date night' ones like Hippopotamus where people tend to dress up more. 

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand so there is good WiFi coverage in town and the surrounding area. 

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand so there is good mobile phone coverage in town and the surrounding area. 

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid

Read more about New Zealand

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