What to do in Greater Wellington

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Greater Wellington

Types of activities

Where to stay

Greater Wellington travel guide

Botanic Gardens which includes a park and hiking or walking

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Top places to visit

1. Te Papa

Embrace New Zealand’s culture, history, flora and fauna with six floors of exhibitions and interactive experiences at Te Papa (Museum of New Zealand). Its full Māori name is “Te Papa Tongarewa,” which means “container of treasures.”

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2. Cuba Street Mall

Cuba Street Mall is one of Wellington’s trendiest areas. Its historic buildings, funky shops, café culture and eclectic mix of residents make it a magnet for visitors and locals alike.

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Cuba Street Mall showing café scenes and outdoor eating as well as a large group of people

3. Courtenay Place

It is said that Wellington has more bars and restaurants per capita than New York City. “The Windy City” is renowned for its appreciation of fine dining, excellent cheap eats, specialty coffee, superb wine and craft beer. Courtenay Place is where you will find the heart of Wellington’s culinary culture. It is also the entertainment hub with bars, clubs, theatres and cinemas.

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Courtenay Place featuring interior views and a bar as well as a small group of people

4. Michael Fowler Centre

Michael Fowler Centre is a convention centre and concert hall in Wellington’s cultural precinct. The centre, home of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, hosts international opera, theatre, music events and conferences. Attend a classical music performance or visit the centre to admire its striking architecture.

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Michael Fowler Centre showing a bay or harbour, modern architecture and night scenes

5. Zealandia

Immerse yourself in primeval New Zealand inside a walled wildlife sanctuary. Zealandia’s 500-year vision is to restore its 555 acres (225 hectares) to how it was before humans arrived on the mainland. The eco-attraction, formerly known as Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, is home to some of the nation’s rarest insects, birds and reptiles, including the prehistoric lizard-like tuatara, the little spotted kiwi and the saddleback bird.

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What to do in Greater Wellington

Popular places to visit

Te Papa

5/5(34 reviews)

See, smell and touch the exhibits at New Zealand’s hi-tech and interactive free national museum.

Cuba Street Mall

4.5/5(30 reviews)

Enjoy artisan coffees, sample specialty foods, browse through vintage shops or hunt for retro bargains in Wellington's bohemian heart.

Wellington featuring interior views and kayaking or canoeing

Wellington Central Business District

4.5/5(15 reviews)

Wellington Central Business District is just one of the places to see in Wellington, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Experience the fascinating museums and acclaimed art galleries in this walkable area.

Courtenay Place

4.5/5(8 reviews)

Shop, wine and dine in this culinary hot spot on one of Wellington's most fashionable streets.

Waikanae Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Waikanae Beach during your travels in Waikanae? Amble around the area's riverfront or experience its entertainment choices.

Michael Fowler Centre

4/5(1 review)

Wellington’s main stage for conferences and indoor events features award-winning architecture and a year-round calendar of music and arts events.

Zealandia

5/5(4 reviews)

Your best chance of seeing rare native species in the wild, this eco-attraction is a fenced valley that protects many native bird species.

Weta Workshop which includes interior views and a statue or sculpture

The Weta Cave

4.5/5(5 reviews)

Learn the special effects secrets behind films such as The Lord of the Rings and Avatar with a tour through this Academy Award-winning studio.

TSB Arena which includes modern architecture

TSB Bank Arena

4.5/5(2 reviews)

Located on Wellington’s picturesque waterfront, this multipurpose venue hosts many events, including concerts, trade shows, art exhibitions and more.

Explore areas of Greater Wellington

Wellington CBD

If you're spending some time in Wellington CBD, Wellington Cable Car and Museum of Wellington City and Sea are top sights worth seeing.

Te Aro

4.5/5(47 area reviews)

Te Aro is known for its popular shops, and with sights like St James Theatre and Cuba Street Mall, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Wellington.

Wellington which includes a city, a sunset and a bridge

Wellington Waterfront

The abundant dining options and interesting museums are top of the list for many visitors to Wellington Waterfront. A stop by Te Papa or TSB Bank Arena might round out your trip.