Things to do in Wellington

Wellington is the third largest city in New Zealand and offers a blend of fine food, culture, heritage and entertainment. Whether you spend a day at the beach , see the city from one of the lookout spots or visit its landmarks, you’ll definitely have a blast here.

View panoramic sights of the city from the Mount Victoria Lookout

Take the Southern Walkway to the top of Mt Victoria. See the lovely views along the trail and the stunning views from the top of the mountain: the city, the harbor and the planes going to and from the airport.
Other lookout points are found at: Mount Kaukau, Wrights Hill, Brooklyn Windmill and Massey Memorial.

Visit Te Papa Museum

It is New Zealand’s innovative museum and world-famous for the interactive and visitor-focused museum experiences. It is free to visit. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The permanent exhibits include: New Zealand’s geology and natural environment, the Maori and the stories of New Zealand’s indigenous people.

Take the Wellington Cable Car

It is one of the most important tourist attractions in the city. Take the cable car from Lambton Quay , past Kelburn Park and the Victoria University to the top of Upland Road. Here you can find the Lookout – with views of the city, Mt Victoria, Hutt Valley and Eastbourne -, Carter Observatory, Planetarium and Cable Car Museum – home to the original winding machinery on the lower floor (which has been restored)-.

Visit the Old St Paul church

It is an example of Gothic Revival architecture, constructed entirely from native timbers. Most of the windows are imported from England as gifts. It is a popular venue for concerts. Can be visited daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except on Christmas Day and during ceremonies).

A day at the Botanical Garden

The Botanical Gardens spans over 26 hectares and comprises, among others, exotic forests, native bush and colorful floral displays. It is free to visit the garden and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Go stargazing at Carter Observatory

It is open daily from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. and also offers late night stargazing. You can see the stars or see the planetarium show.

A day at the beach

The popular beaches are easily accessible from Wellington with regular buses. Aside from soaking up the sun , you can also try scuba diving , snorkeling or surfing. Some of the beaches to check out are: Breaker Bay, Brendan Beach, Houghton Bay, Karehana Bay or Kio Bay.

Take a walk along the Waterfront

The Waterfront path is a good choice whether you want to go for a romantic walk or do some jogging while on vacation. The views along the path are stunning.

A day at Wellington Zoo

It is the oldest zoo in New Zealand and is home to more than 500 animals. Some animals are endangered , some are unique to New Zealand, such as the brown kiwi, kaka or kereru.
It is open daily, except on Christmas Day, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ticket costs NZ$20 for an adult and NZ$10 for a child.

Photo credits: Mt. Victoria Lookout , Cable Car , Botanical Garden , Wellington beach , Wellington zoo