Arrowtown, New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand
Beach, New Zealand
Fiordland, New Zealand
Lake Matheson, New Zealand
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand
Rotorua, New Zealand

Wellington, New ZealandWellington Activity Highlights

Wellington | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History

Wellington, known as New Zealand's arts and culture capital, offers an unmatched blend of culture, heritage, fine food, and lively arts and entertainment.

Wellington Activity Highlights Overview

From arts, culture and heritage attractions to exciting outdoor action, Wellington is a capital place for entertainment. Whether you want to be outdoors or in, expect to be challenged and stimulated.

» Wellington Activities Directory

Send a Wellington related E-Postcard to your friends.

Te Papa Tongarewa Museum

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, Wellington City, New Zealand
Te Papa Tongarewa Museum
Wellington City
Photographer: Te Papa Museum
(www.tepapa.govt.nz)

Te Papa is New Zealand's bold, innovative national museum set on Wellington's waterfront. Visitors can get a unique and authentic experience of New Zealand's treasures, stories and people.

Te Papa's key tasks are to preserve and present the taonga (treasures) of New Zealand's peoples and to interpret the country's heritage for national and international audiences."

Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa

Recognised as a world leader of interactive and innovative museum experiences, make sure you visit Te Papa Tongarewa and prepare to be engaged, stimulated, and surprised!

A Fascinating City to Explore

You'll find plenty to see and do in Wellington City.

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. The Beehive, Parliament Buildings, Wellington City, New Zealand
The Beehive, Parliament Buildings
Wellington City
Photographer: Kieran Scott
(www.kieranscott.co.nz)
  • Tours of New Zealand's Parliament Buildings provide an insight into New Zealand's political heritage
  • The Museum of Wellington City and Sea presents stories of Wellington in an interactive and entertaining way
  • Visit Katherine Mansfield's Birthplace—the childhood home of the famous writer. Intricately restored to match the descriptions of the house in her stories
  • Old St Paul's Cathedral is a magnificent gothic style church built from New Zealand native timbers
  • Take a cable car ride from downtown Wellington up to the Botanic Gardens for sweeping views of the city and harbour
  • Capital E will keep children amused for hours
  • See a live show, concert or performance any night of the week
  • Enjoy animal antics at Wellington Zoo
  • Stroll from the city to Oriental Bay. The energetic can continue up through the green belt to the summit of Mount Victoria for a 360 degree panorama of Wellington. There's also a bus that goes to the summit

A Breath of Fresh Sea Air

The best way to appreciate the beauty of Wellington's marine environment is to get out there.

  • Harbour cruises go from the city across to Days Bay, home to seaside cafes and quality craft shops
  • It's easy to charter a boat for a fishing excursion around Wellington Harbour, Cook Strait or the Marlborough Sounds
  • Boats take visitors to Somes and Matiu Island Reserve in Wellington Harbour, a former quarantine and prisoner of war island
  • It's fun to hire a sea kayak and paddle around the picturesque bays of Wellington Harbour
  • Take a 4WD (four-wheel drive) tour to Red Rocks seal colony, on the south coast of the city

Taking it Easy on the Kapiti Coast

Northwest of Wellington there's a life that's a world away from city living on the Kapiti Coast.

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Kapiti Island, Wellington, New Zealand
Kapiti Island, Wellington
Photographer: Ian Trafford
(www.iantraffordphotos.com)
  • Kapiti Island Nature Reserve is one of the more accessible nature reserves in New Zealand. Visitors can easily arrange a landing permit and launch transport using one of the licensed launch services
  • Enjoy sea kayaking, diving and boating in the Kapiti Island Marine Reserve areas
  • Lindale Tourist and Agricultural Centre is the place for a farm tour and Kapiti cheese tastings
  • Visit Southwards Car Museum, for a large collection of antique and unusual cars

» Kapiti Island Information

» Kapiti Coast Travel Directory

Just Outside Wellington City

Travel a short way out of the main city area and find something different.

  • Spend some time at Pataka, the Museum of Pacific Art and Culture in Porirua
  • The Dowse Art Museum exhibits high calibre New Zealand and International artists
  • Increase your knowledge of New Zealand with Māori Insight Tours and the Māori Art Studio. The Māori Art Studio features wood carving, fibre arts, pounamu (greenstone or jade), bone carving, painting, clay works, basketry and stone sculpture. The Māori Insight Tour helps visitors to understand and appreciate the beauty of Māori Art and Culture
  • Staglands in Upper Hutt is home to a wide range of exotic and native birds and animals

Useful Wellington Links

To help plan your Wellington holiday choose from the main categories below

Send a Wellington related E-Postcard to your friends.

Wellington Region Information

Wellington Tourism Operators

Featured
 
Mainstay New Zealand Hotels

Mainstay NZ Hotels

Large collection of independent hotels.

Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels

Holiday packages for any occasion.

Hawkdun Rise

Hawkdun Rise

Boutique vineyard-stay near the town of Alexandra.

Featured
 
Mainstay New Zealand Hotels

Mainstay NZ Hotels

Large collection of independent hotels.

Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels

Holiday packages for any occasion.

Hawkdun Rise

Hawkdun Rise

Boutique vineyard-stay near the town of Alexandra.