Discover Wellington

Wrapped around a beautiful harbour and surrounded by nature, Wellington is fun, compact and easy to explore. There's a very social vibe to the city, with countless restaurants, cafés and bars offering superb casual dining experiences. Catch a show, visit museums and galleries, get out on the harbour, wander the waterfront or raise your heartrate on a nature walk close to the city with spectacular harbour views from the hills.

About our flights to Wellington

Air New Zealand operates non-stop flights to Wellington from Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Dunedin and regional ports around New Zealand. With all our New Zealand domestic airfares you can choose seat, seat+bag, flexichange or flexirefund fare types. Flexichange gives you the flexibility to change your flight with no change fees while flexirefund is fully refundable. Find out more about our New Zealand domestic seat options.

From the top of the Cable Car you can wander through the Botanic Garden, then catch a free shuttle bus to Zealandia, Wellington's must-visit wildlife eco-sanctuary.

Where to go and what to do in Wellington

To experience the buzz of Wellington, simply hit the streets or head to the waterfront promenade. Everything's within easy walking distance and there's always something new going on. You'll soon discover why Wellington is such a popular destination with people from all over New Zealand who are looking for a refreshing short break or weekend away.

Enjoy creative arts and culture

A walk down bohemian Cuba Street will connect you with Wellington's creative roots. You'll see art galleries, boutique shops, vintage clothing stores, one-of-a-kind cafes, street performers and the famous Bucket Fountain. The city is also sprinkled with street art and a great collection of public art - to view 17 of the most significant works, follow the city sculpture walk.

NZ's national museum, Te Papa, is one of Wellington's top attractions. With cutting-edge and interactive exhibitions, Te Papa aims to change hearts, minds and lives. It's a perfect place to immerse yourself in Māori and Pacific culture, New Zealand history, natural wonders, contemporary and historical art and more.

Continue your Weta experience with a Weta Studio Tour, where you'll go behind-the-scenes to learn the secrets of movies like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Avatar, Thunderbirds are Go and many more. You'll get to see artists at work, as well as miniatures, props, armour, weapons, vehicles, creatures and models.

Live theatre is a big part of the Wellington lifestyle and there are always several great shows on offer. When you're planning a trip to Wellington, check ahead on WellingtonNZ.com to see what will be on when you visit and book early to avoid a sell-out.

Discover delicious flavours

The creativity of Wellington continues in its innovative restaurant kitchens and craft beer brew bars. Eating out in Wellington is pure pleasure. From award-winning breakfast cafés and harbour-side seafood lunches to fine dining establishments and night food markets, you're never far from a delectable eating experience. For inside tips, sign up for one of the popular walking food tours of Wellington.

If you like coffee, you'll love visiting Wellington. CNN Travel included Wellington in its top eight international coffee destinations. There are around 15 coffee roasteries in the Wellington region and a café on almost every corner. Craft beer is another celebrated beverage. Keep an eye out for inner-city brew bars, dedicated craft beer bars, beer tours and restaurants that specialise in matching each dish to the perfect brew.

Get active in nature

Wellington's tree-lined hills provide great opportunities to raise your heart rate and enjoy spectacular views. A local favourite with walkers, runners and mountain bikers is the Mount Victoria Lookout Walkway - it takes about one and a half hours to complete if you're walking.

From the top of the Wellington Cable Car, you can wander through Wellington's 25-hectare Botanic Garden or catch a free shuttle bus to Zealandia, Wellington's must-visit wildlife sanctuary. This world-first fully fenced, eco-sanctuary covers a 225-hectare forested valley and reservoir lake. It's home to more than 40 native bird species, as well as native reptiles and countless native plants. To get the most from your visit, book a guided tour. They operate during the day, at twilight and at night.

Experiencing the city from the water is another great way to approach Wellington sightseeing. You can hire kayaks or paddle boards from the wharf area or take a guided kayak tour. If you'd rather keep your feet dry, pack a picnic and catch a ferry to Matiu/Somes Island in the middle of the harbour. The island is a predator-free scientific reserve with a 40-minute loop track, 360° harbour and city views, historic quarantine buildings and a vintage lighthouse.

Top 10 fun things to do in Wellington

1. Visit Te Papa
   Bold and imaginative, New Zealand's national museum offers a remarkably engaging experience.
   
   
2. Explore arty Cuba Street
   Known for its bohemian culture, Cuba Street is refreshingly humorous and arty in a world that often takes itself far too seriously.
   
   
3. Ride the historic Wellington Cable Car
   From the heart of the CBD, ride the iconic cable car to enjoy spectacular views, the cable car museum and the tranquillity of Wellington Botanic Garden.
   
   
4. Taste local craft beer
   You'll find plenty of boutique breweries, brew-bars and pubs waiting to help you explore the city's legendary craft beer scene.
   
   
5. Visit Weta movie studios
   Discover the filmmaking innovations behind The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy and more on a Weta Studio Tour.
   
   
6. Meet extraordinary wildlife
   At Zealandia, a 225-hectare urban ecosanctuary, you can unwind in the company of rare native birds, reptiles, frogs and plants.
   
   
7. Tour Parliament buildings
   Take a guided tour to explore the architecture, heritage, processes and protocols behind New Zealand's democratic government.
   
   
8. Stroll around the waterfront
   Downtown Wellington wraps around a beautiful harbour and there's a 2km walkway from the old wharves to the golden sand beach at Oriental Bay.
   
   
9. Explore the city's fascinating past
   Immerse yourself in fascinating local stories at Wellington Museum, which was recently voted one of the Top 50 museums in the world. 
   
   
10. Dine out in the culinary capital 
    Wellington has perfected the art of casual socialising, with restaurants, cafes, food trucks and boutique bars making the most of exceptional local produce and seafood.

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