5 Things to do in Wellington New Zealand

Wellington is not just the capital city of New Zealand. It is the home of the National Symphony Orchestra, World of Wearable Art Show, Te Papa Tongarewa Museum (New Zealand Museum) and Sir Peter Jackson (the producer and director of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogy). It is also an important destination for events and conferences.

Air New Zealand, Qantas, Emirates, Virgin Australia are some of the airlines that fly to Wellington. It takes three hours 16 minutes from Sydney to Wellington and only one hour seven minutes to fly from Auckland.

Here are 5 things to do in Wellington New Zealand:

Te Papa Tongarewa Museum (New Zealand Museum)

Te Papa is located on Cable Street on Wellington’s waterfront. It has six floors of exhibitions dedicated to New Zealand’s culture (Pacific and Maori), art and environment. Te Papa has an outdoor exhibition area with caves, native bush and wetlands.

Some of the highlights include the Colossal Squid, the world of Maori, Awesome Forces, Te Marae (Maori communal meeting house) and Bush City. Guided tours are available daily for individuals and groups.

There is no admission fee to visit Te Papa.

Find out more: Te Papa Tongarewa Museum

Wellington Cable Car

The historical Wellington Cable Car was completed and started operations on February 22, 1902. The old cars were replaced with a new cable car system in 1979. The cable car runs from Lambton Quay at the center of the city’s shopping district to the suburb of Kelburn.

Kelburn offers one of the best lookout points in Wellington. When you travel on the cable car, you are actually ascending about 120 vertical meters (394 feet) from Lambton Quay. This is New Zealand’s only running funicular. It has five stations – Lambton Quay, Clifton Terrace, Talavera, Salamanca and Kelburn.

Kelburn village is a five-minute walk from the Keburn station. It’s a great place for coffee. Kelburn is also home to the Carter Observatory, Botanic Garden and is close to The Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary.

Information: Wellington Cable Car

Beehive Parliament

The beehive-shaped Parliament House in Wellington offers free, daily (except on New Zealand public holidays), one-hour guided tours of Parliament. Guests can check in at the Parliament Visitor Centre on the ground level of the Beehive (the Executive Wing).

Beehive tours include stories from the past and present, facts about New Zealand’s system of government and parliament, history, architecture, and restoration of the building and the artworks inside.

Information: The Beehive

Coffee shops

Wellington’s coffee culture is booming and it is said that the famous flat white is perfected there. The best way to find out more about Wellington’s coffee culture and coffee shops is to join one of the walking food tours with Zest Food Tours of New Zealand.

We recommend a visit to Havana Coffee Works on Tory Street for its coffee and quirky place.

Information: Zest Food Tours of New Zealand

Cuba Street

Known as “New Zealand’s coolest street”, Cuba Street is a place for food and creativity. There are lots of quirky shops, graffiti-filled alleyways, cafés and restaurants and street entertainment.

Cuba Street is where you can find the popular Friday Night Market and Saturday Night Market.

Information: Cuba Street Night Markets

Wellington travel tips:

1. Find airlines serving Wellington.
2. A mileage chart to help you plan your road trip to Wellington.
3. Hotels in Wellington.
4. Currency converter. At the time of writing US$1 = NZ$1.54

Have you been to Wellington New Zealand? What is your favorite thing to do there?