The 11 essential things to do in Wellington

You fly to Wellington, and you wonder how to occupy your stay? You were concocted the 11 activities to be carried out in the New Zealand capital!

Wellington was nicknamed in 2011 “The coolest little capital in the world”, and for cause: charming, surrounded by an incredible nature, rich at the artistic and cultural level, this city has multiple assets. Located at the southern end of North Island in New Zealand, Auckland and Christchurch , it attracts many tourists looking for a “multi-facet” and human dimension.

If you are wondering what to do in Wellington, read this article and find out what the city can offer you!

1. Weta Workshop/ Weta Cave

Weta Workshop is a studio specializing in special effects and accessories for cinema and television. The realization of various costumes, creatures and weapons for the trilogy of the Lord of the Rings has made him world famous. For fans, know that there are excursions for fans visit the famous sites of the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit !

Weta Workshop also participated in projects such as King-Kong, Avatar, The Adventures of Tintin or District 9. Cinema lovers, don't miss the visit of Weta Cave and discover the secrets of team production, as well as the exhibition of their most famous creations!

2. Cuba Street

Cuba Street is one of the main arteries of the city. With her bohemian atmosphere, she likes passers-by for her hip bars and restaurants, as well as for her independent designer boutiques.

For an afternoon shopping and relaxation, it is definitely on this street that you will have to go... But beware of the malicious "Bucket Fountain" located at the entrance of the street: this fountain dating from 1969, with very pop colors, makes water from one bucket to another: attention to splashes!

3. La Réserve Zealandia

Zealandia is an eco-sanctuary of 225 hectares, dedicated to the protection of animal and plant species in New Zealand. Also known as the Karori Shrine, he managed the bet to reintroduce 18 species of endemic wild animals, including 6 missing from the New Zealand continent for more than 100 years.

Nature lovers, take your tickets for Zealandia and discover birds, reptiles and plants that you will probably not see anywhere else!

4. The Cable car

No way to visit Wellington without borrowing his famous red cable car! The Cable car is one of the city’s flagship attractions. This funicular connects the main artery of Wellington, Lambton Quay, with the suburb of Kelburn located on the heights. With a length of 612 meters for a height of 120 meters, it allows to go from one point to another in 5 minutes.

On the heights you can enjoy a magnificent view of the city, and very easily reach the botanical garden nearby.

5. Wellington Botanic Garden

After borrowing the famous Cable Car, go to this sumptuous botanical garden more than 25 hectares, where you can lose yourself in unique landscapes, exotic forests, native shrubs and colorful floral exhibitions. In this park, don't miss the Duck Pond, the Begonia House, the Rose Garden of Lady Norwood, the Sundial of Human Involvement (a magnificent sundial), or the historical park of Bolton Street Memorial Park, where many of the city's pioneers are buried.

At the top of the park, you will also have direct access to another must in Wellington: the Space Place of the Carter Observatory . Your kids will love it!

6. Te Papa Tongarewa Museum

Book your reservation ticket to Te Papa National Museum , located in front of the sea, because it is an essential and exciting passage to discover New Zealand in all its forms: its history, its nature, its artistic heritage... Very interactive and playful, this relatively recent museum (opened in 1998) will appeal to large and small.

You can visit several thematic exhibitions, including the one devoted to Maori culture, the birthplace of New Zealand.

7. Kapiti Island

Kapiti Island is one of the oldest and most important natural reserves in the country, accessible by ferry from Wellington. It houses some of the rarest birds in New Zealand, such as takahe , kokako , saddleback or kaka . Surrounded by lush forests, Kapiti Island is only accessible via some pleasant voyage. The number of visitors present on the island is indeed very small, so as not to disturb local fauna and flora.

During your stopover, you will have the opportunity to spend the night on the island and go to the kiwi, this rare and nocturnal bird that is also one of the national emblems.

8. Admire the city from Mount Victoria

196 meters high, the Mount Victoria is accessible via the business district and offers a panoramic view of the city of Wellington. Once at the top, admire the view of Tinakori Hill, Hutt Valley Bay, Harbor Bay in the East, island Matiu or the Miramar Peninsula.

Small advice to fully enjoy the experience: go to the end of the day, get out your picnic and comfortably install by admiring the sunset on the Bay of Wellington.

9. Nightlife in Courtenay Place

Courtenay Place is the main street of Te Aro district in Wellington. In the evening, she enjoys a lot of partying because of her very lively nightlife. The restaurants and bars are opened lately, and there is for all tastes level atmosphere, music and restoration.

If you’re visiting Wellington with friends or a couple, it’s on this street that you’ll spend your coolest evenings!

10. Oriental Bay

Oriental Bay is one of the most important places in the city! A beautiful beach, a beautiful view... It is very pleasant to walk around and swim there when time allows. You can also rent kayaks or pedal boats, or relax on the terrace of one of the seafront cafés.

11. To see and do also in Wellington

• Approach seals

If you ask that to do in Wellington with children, book an unusual safari: half a day, go for a trip in 4×4 to meet seals. “ Seal Coast Safari » offers a panoramic circuit through private agricultural lands, to finish around a muffin and a beach-side café, right next to seals. A purely magical moment.

• Participate in Beerstival

Are you travelling with friends in Wellington during the month of August? Do you like beer? Are you wondering what to do to occupy your stay? So don't look for a date at the Beerstival! New Zealand’s most popular beer festival, it allows you to discover a large number of artisanal breweries, now scattered throughout the country. The Beerstival takes place only two days, within Westpac Stadium Wellington. Don’t miss the event!

• Parliament

On Bowen Street is a building with imposing architecture and the least original: Parliament New Zealand, also known as Beehive, that is, “The hive”!

• Old St Paul’s Cathedral

Very appreciated for its spectacular wooden interior (compared to the hull of a galion), Old St Paul’s is the first Anglican cathedral in Wellington. Take a look at the colourful stained-glass windows that retrace Wellington's past and its historical connection with American Marines.

• Faubourg de Petone

If you are art lovers, explore faubourg de Petone : it is one of the jewels of New Zealand’s heritage where you can find art galleries and trendy cafés.

• Zoo de Wellington

About 4 km south of the city centre is Zoo de Wellington : it is the first zoo to have been created in New Zealand. You can see several hundred animals, many species of insects and reptiles, and of course rare birds such as Kiwi (one of the emblems of New Zealand).

How to get to Wellington?

You can find flights to New Zealand from Paris and several provincial cities. The most difficult will be to be patient, because according to the chosen company, it will take between 20 and 30 hours of travel, including usually 2 or 3 ports of call. To find the most interesting offer in terms of flight and price duration, consult our partner’s website Ulysses .

Once on site, the best is rent a car . In addition to the great freedom of movement it brings, it is the easiest way of transport to avoid waste of time and enjoy a maximum of your stay independently.

Where to stay in Wellington?

Wellington has several neighbourhoods where to stay , the ideal being to book a hotel or a hostel in the hyper-centre of Wellington. Thus, you can access all the places of interest of the city on foot, which is relatively small. If you like lively neighborhoods, go south of the city, around Courtenay Place. For those who prefer calm, then look for your accommodation in Mont Victoria, very close to the city centre but more peaceful. Whatever your choice, do not hesitate to consult this Compare hotels : it will help you find the accommodation and the location that will best suit you.