Wellington

Tourist Attractions in Wellington

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Wellington. Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps.

16 Attractions

★4.6 Average rating

8 Categories

About Wellington

Nestled between rolling hills and a sparkling harbor, Wellington is New Zealand’s compact capital that punches above its size with culture, creativity and coastal charm. Visitors revel in the award-winning national museum Te Papa, a wind-whipped waterfront promenade, and the scenic ascent of the historic cable car for panoramic city views. Film buffs flock to Weta Workshop and the nearby studios, while nature lovers explore Zealandia’s urban wildlife sanctuary or the Botanic Garden via the picturesque Cable Car. By day, sample craft beer and farm-to-table fare; by evening, the versatile arts scene, bustling Cuba Street, Parliament precinct and dramatic wind-swept hills complete the Wellington experience.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa — Museum, rated 4.7/5

1

Museum

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

4.7 ★★★★★ 26,007 reviews

Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum in Wellington, blends bold architecture with immersive storytelling to present the nation’s natural and cultural heritage. Housed in a striking riverside building, it offers interactive exhibits, immersive galleries, and dynamic temporary exhibitions alongside the esteemed permanent collections covering Maori taonga, Pacific arts, science, and history. Visitors can expect a contemporary, accessible experience with free exhibitions, hands-on displays, and breathtaking views from the upper galleries. Te Papa’s innovative approach invites both locals and travelers to explore New Zealand’s identity, landscapes, and stories in a single, memorable visit.

55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Monday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Good for kids

Entrance Parking Restroom Seating

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Wellington Botanic Garden — Garden, rated 4.7/5

2

Garden Botanical Garden

Wellington Botanic Garden

4.7 ★★★★★ 10,276 reviews

Wellington Botanic Garden sits on a sunny knoll above the city, linking sweeping harbour views with a tranquil sanctuary of native and exotic plants. A heritage site dating back to the 1860s, it blends glasshouses, formal borders, and fernery with shaded paths, fern glades, and open lawns ideal for picnics. Visitors can ride the historic Wellington Cable Car up from Lambton Quay, explore the Begonia House, and discover plant collections that shift with the seasons. It’s a beginner-friendly escape blending city atmosphere with natural beauty and scenic viewpoints.

101 Glenmore Street, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours

MondayOpen 24 hours
TuesdayOpen 24 hours
WednesdayOpen 24 hours
ThursdayOpen 24 hours
FridayOpen 24 hours
SaturdayOpen 24 hours
SundayOpen 24 hours

Good for kids Dogs allowed

Entrance Parking Restroom Seating

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Mount Victoria Lookout — Viewpoint, rated 4.7/5

3

Viewpoint Observation Deck

Mount Victoria Lookout

4.7 ★★★★★ 6,337 reviews

Mount Victoria Lookout is Wellington’s iconic panorama point atop a grassy hill overlooking the city’s dramatic harbor. From here, visitors enjoy sweeping 360-degree views of Wellington Harbour, the hills surrounding the city, the skyline, and rugged coastline beyond. It’s a favorite sunset and photo spot, often with seabreeze in the air and a sense of the city unfurling below. Access is by car, bus, or a pleasant walk from the CBD, with short paths, stairs, and viewpoints that reward travellers with memorable hills-to-sea vistas and a sense of place above New Zealand’s capital.

Lookout Road, Hataitai, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours

MondayOpen 24 hours
TuesdayOpen 24 hours
WednesdayOpen 24 hours
ThursdayOpen 24 hours
FridayOpen 24 hours
SaturdayOpen 24 hours
SundayOpen 24 hours

Good for kids

Parking

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Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne — Park, rated 4.7/5

4

Park Wildlife Refuge

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne

4.7 ★★★★★ 6,067 reviews

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is a protected urban ecosanctuary set in Wellington’s Karori valley, a pioneering 21st‑century conservation project that fences out predators and protects a fragment of ancient forest. Spanning about 225 hectares of native bush, it invites visitors to stroll along raised boardwalks above the forest floor, taking in the chorus of bellbirds, kaka, tui, robins and, often, the shy kiwi. It’s a living example of ecological restoration, with guided tours, self-guided trails, and active rewilding that shows what urban biodiversity can thrive beside a city.

53 Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington 6012, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Monday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Good for kids Cards accepted

Entrance Parking Restroom Seating

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Wellington Cable Car — Landmark, rated 4.6/5

5

Landmark Transportation Service

Wellington Cable Car

4.6 ★★★★★ 7,394 reviews

The Wellington Cable Car is a historic funicular that climbs from Lambton Quay to the scenic heights of Kelburn, delivering panoramic views over Wellington Harbour and city rooftops. Built in 1902, it combines vintage charm with modern reliability, offering a quick, picturesque ride into the Wellington Botanic Garden, where visitors can stroll among exotic plants, sculptures, and sweeping city vistas. Travelers can expect a charmingly retro cabin experience, a handy transport link to top attractions, and photo-worthy moments of wind-swept hills and sea-glass-blue horizons.

280 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: 7:30 AM – 8:00 PM

Monday7:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday7:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday7:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday7:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday7:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday8:30 AM – 7:00 PM

Parking

Entrance Restroom Seating

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Wētā Workshop Experiences — Tour Agency, rated 4.6/5

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Tour Agency Travel AgencyService

Wētā Workshop Experiences

4.6 ★★★★★ 4,592 reviews

Wētā Workshop Experiences in Wellington offers behind-the-scenes tours of New Zealand’s world-renowned creature, prop and special effects studios. Visitors step into a working workshop where expert artisans craft iconic sets, creatures and prosthetics from blockbuster films like The Lord of the Rings and Avatar, plus contemporary projects. The experience blends guided demonstrations, hands-on demonstrations, and glimpses of design processes, giving insight into practical effects and sculpture. It’s worth visiting for film lovers and families seeking movie magic, photo opportunities, and a deeper appreciation of New Zealand’s screen industry.

1 Weka Street, Miramar, Wellington 6022, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: 8:45 AM – 4:45 PM

Monday8:45 AM – 4:45 PM
Tuesday8:45 AM – 4:45 PM
Wednesday8:45 AM – 4:45 PM
Thursday8:45 AM – 4:45 PM
Friday8:45 AM – 4:45 PM
Saturday8:45 AM – 4:45 PM
Sunday8:45 AM – 4:45 PM

Good for kids Cards accepted

Entrance Parking Restroom Seating

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Wellington Zoo — Zoo, rated 4.5/5

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Zoo Veterinary CarePet Care

Wellington Zoo

4.5 ★★★★★ 6,338 reviews

Nestled in the heart of Wellington, Wellington Zoo blends conservation with engaging, family-friendly encounters. As New Zealand’s oldest zoo, it offers immersive habitats—from the lush African savannah-inspired spaces to intimate nocturnal enclosures—where visitors can observe rare native and exotic species up close. Highlights include keeper talks, animal encounters, and the chance to support vital wildlife conservation projects through interactive exhibits and volunteering options. Expect well-maintained trails, informative signage, and stunning city views from elevated paths. A day at Wellington Zoo promises educational insight, hands-on experiences, and memorable wildlife moments for all ages.

200 Daniell Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Monday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Good for kids Cards accepted

Entrance Parking Restroom Seating

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Wellington Waterfront Walk, rated 4.7/5

8

Tourist attraction

Wellington Waterfront Walk

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,193 reviews

The Wellington Waterfront Walk is a scenic, well‑paved promenade that runs along Wellington Harbour, linking bustling bars, restaurants, and cultural highlights with sweeping sea views. It’s worth a visit for its protected, flat path ideal for a riverside stroll, a jog, or a leisurely bike ride, with photo-worthy perspectives of cargo ships, sails, and emerald hills. Along the way you’ll encounter public art, the Te Papa circle, and frequent harbourfront events, plus easy access to cafes, the Weta Workshop, and Oriental Bay—making it a relaxed, crowd-pleasing slice of city life.

Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours

MondayOpen 24 hours
TuesdayOpen 24 hours
WednesdayOpen 24 hours
ThursdayOpen 24 hours
FridayOpen 24 hours
SaturdayOpen 24 hours
SundayOpen 24 hours

Good for kids

Entrance Parking Restroom Seating

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Wellington Museum — Museum, rated 4.6/5

9

Museum

Wellington Museum

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,684 reviews

The Wellington Museum offers an engaging dive into the capital’s social and maritime history. Housed in a grand, historic building near the waterfront, it chronicles Wellington’s evolution from Māori settlement and early European contact to its role as a modern civic and cultural hub. Expect immersive galleries, ship models, vintage artifacts, dioramas, and interactive displays that bring daily life, politics, and sea trade to life. The museum is friendly for families and solo travelers alike, with informative captions, rotating exhibitions, and a welcoming, contemplative space to reflect on Wellington’s distinctive story.

3 Jervois Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Monday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Good for kids

Entrance Parking Restroom

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Otari-Wilton's Bush — Garden, rated 4.8/5

10

Garden Botanical Garden

Otari-Wilton's Bush

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,438 reviews

Nestled on Wellington’s western edge, Otari-Wilton’s Bush is New Zealand’s premier native botanic garden and research forest, spanning rolling native terrain to mist-swirled gullies. Visitors wander among ancient podocarp and fern forests, glide along accessible boardwalks, and come face to face with native birds and seasonal flora. The site offers well-marked tracks for all ages, an informative discovery centre, and occasional guided walks that reveal ecological history and Maori connections. It’s a peaceful, immersive escape where you can glimpse New Zealand’s ecological heart while enjoying fresh hill-country air and panoramic city views.

150 Wilton Road, Wilton, Wellington 6012, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours

MondayOpen 24 hours
TuesdayOpen 24 hours
WednesdayOpen 24 hours
ThursdayOpen 24 hours
FridayOpen 24 hours
SaturdayOpen 24 hours
SundayOpen 24 hours

Good for kids Dogs allowed

Entrance Parking Restroom Seating

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Space Place at Carter Observatory — Historic site, rated 4.6/5

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Historic site Historical LandmarkMuseumHistorical Place

Space Place at Carter Observatory

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,685 reviews

Space Place at Carter Observatory is Wellington’s immersive astronomy hub housed in a historic hilltop landmark overlooking the city. Once a crucial weather and astronomical beacon, the observatory now blends heritage with cutting-edge experiences, including hands-on science exhibits, an interactive planetarium, and exhilarating night-sky views from the historic telescope dome. Visitors can expect engaging demonstrations, stargazing events, and stellar photo opportunities, all guided by knowledgeable staff. It’s a perfect stop for families and science enthusiasts seeking a blend of history, culture, and hands-on space exploration in the capital.

40 Salamanca Road, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: 5:00 – 10:30 PM

MondayClosed
Tuesday5:00 – 10:30 PM
Wednesday5:00 – 10:30 PM
Thursday10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Friday10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Good for kids

Entrance Parking Restroom Seating

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Cable Car Museum — Museum, rated 4.5/5

12

Museum

Cable Car Museum

4.5 ★★★★★ 2,052 reviews

Nestled in Wellington, the Cable Car Museum preserves the city’s beloved red “funicular” heritage, chronicling the iconic Wellington Cable Car journey from the scenic Botanic Garden to Lambton Quay. Visitors can explore vintage cable cars, historic photographs, and interactive displays that trace the system’s engineering feats and social history, including the thrill of the cliffside climb once ferried by cable. The museum offers a charming glimpse into early urban transport, with knowledgeable staff, exhibits that appeal to families and rail enthusiasts alike, and nearby cafe stops for a relaxed, retro-inclined day.

1A Upland Road, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Monday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Good for kids

Entrance Parking Restroom Seating

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Old St Paul's — Historic site, rated 4.7/5

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Historic site Historical LandmarkWedding VenueHistorical PlaceLive Music Venue

Old St Paul's

4.7 ★★★★★ 824 reviews

Old St Paul's is Wellington's oldest Anglican church, a lovingly preserved 19th‑century masterpiece tucked in Thorndon. Built in red brick with a steep gabled roof and Gothic Revival detailing, the church blends stone and timber in a serene, intimate nave. Inside, carved timber fittings, stained-glass windows and a lofty wooden chancel create a warm, reverent atmosphere. Today it's a National Historic Place and a popular venue for guided tours, weddings and concerts, offering visitors a sense of colonial Wellington and the artisanship of its era, along with panoramic city views from its precinct.

34 Mulgrave Street, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Monday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Good for kids

Entrance Parking

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Lady Norwood Rose Garden — Garden, rated 4.6/5

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Garden Botanical GardenBeer GardenBarAssociation Or Organization

Lady Norwood Rose Garden

4.6 ★★★★★ 874 reviews

The Lady Norwood Rose Garden is a formal, hillside rose garden in Wellington that showcases hundreds of fragrant varieties in a classical, tiled-layout setting. Named for a longtime patron of horticulture, it sits within the city’s premier green space and offers sweeping views of the harbor and central skyline. Visitors can expect meticulous hedges, vibrant color from late spring to autumn, and tranquil paths perfect for a leisurely stroll or a sunset photo session. It’s ideal for romantic wanders, family outings, and a peaceful break amid urban scenery.

101 Glenmore Street, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Monday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Good for kids Dogs allowed Cards accepted

Entrance Parking Restroom

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Adrenalin Forest Wellington, rated 4.6/5

15

Tourist attraction

Adrenalin Forest Wellington

4.6 ★★★★★ 757 reviews

Adrenalin Forest Wellington is a high-ropes adventure park set in a coastal forest, offering a series of aerial obstacle courses that scale across trees with ziplines, suspension bridges, and challenging elements designed for varying thrill levels. It’s worth visiting for adrenaline-fueled fun, family-friendly teamwork, and panoramic views of Wellington’s harbor and hills. Expect expert staff safety briefings, harnessed climbs, and routes suitable for beginners to advanced climbers, plus rain or shine accessibility and a rewarding sense of accomplishment as you navigate each course and glide between treetops.

Okowai Road, Aotea, Porirua 5022, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: Closed

MondayClosed
TuesdayClosed
Wednesday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Good for kids Dogs allowed Restroom Cards accepted

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Beehive — Landmark, rated 4.4/5

16

Landmark Government Office

Beehive

4.4 ★★★★★ 603 reviews

Beehive, Wellington's iconic executive residence and offices, is a striking modernist landmark shaped like a honeycomb hive perched above Lambton Quay. Designed by the New Zealand architect firm Warren and Mahoney, it houses key government departments and the Prime Minister’s offices, with a distinctive terraced exterior that rises in a stepped, honeycomb pattern. Visitors can admire its bold architecture from Parliament grounds, learn about New Zealand’s political history in nearby buildings, and enjoy panoramic harbour and city views from surrounding vantage points while experiencing a symbol of national governance and design.

Ground Floor/1 Molesworth Street, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Opening hours · Today: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Monday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Entrance Parking Restroom

Open on map Website ↗