Stand at the top of Mount Victoria on a clear morning and the whole city arranges itself below you: the harbour with its two islands, the airport runway, the CBD, and the green belt of hills wrapping around it all. Wellington is compact and walkable, and the wind that gives the city its nickname is part of the experience.
This guide suits travellers who want museums, short walks and harbour views within a small area, and who don't mind planning around the weather. It covers the central sights, a few vantage points, and how to string them together in a single day.
Top things to do in Wellington
1. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Te Papa is New Zealand's national museum, with exhibitions on the country's history and culture. It is the single best introduction to the country before you explore the city itself.
Allow at least half a day, and combine it with a walk along the waterfront afterwards.
2. Wellington Cable Car
The Cable Car is the easiest way to get a view of the city and harbour, climbing from Lambton Quay up to the top of the Wellington Botanic Garden.
Ride it up rather than down, then walk back through the gardens into the city. At the top you will find the Cable Car Museum, the Lookout and the Carter Observatory.
3. Wellington Botanic Garden
The Botanic Garden is a good place for a picnic or an afternoon walk, and a run if you want a challenging fitness experience. Several attractions sit at the top of the gardens, so you can pair them in one visit.
Enter from the top via the Cable Car, or walk up from the city and ride the Cable Car back down.
4. Mount Victoria
Mount Victoria is the best lookout in Wellington, with a full 360-degree view of the airport, the harbour, the CBD and the Town Belt.
Go early or late in the day for the clearest light, and wear shoes with grip for the climb.
5. Zealandia
Zealandia is a natural haven for endangered native birds, tuatara, wētā and other indigenous flora and fauna, safe from introduced predators. It is by far the most convenient place in the country to see rare New Zealand wildlife.
Set aside a few hours, since the sanctuary is spread over a large area of bush.
6. Wellington Museum
The Wellington Museum is a well-presented museum of the history of the city, including its maritime history.
It works well as a wet-weather stop and pairs naturally with the waterfront and Queen's Wharf nearby.
7. Carter Observatory
The Carter Observatory offers a planetarium show, along with multimedia exhibits on how early Māori, Polynesian and European settlers navigated their way to New Zealand.
It sits at the top of the Botanic Garden, so combine it with the Cable Car and the Lookout in a single trip.
8. Old St Paul's
Old St Paul's is a former cathedral and one of the city's landmarks, found in the Thorndon area among the government buildings.
Pair it with a walk around Parliament and the Thorndon commercial area, all within walking distance.
9. Matiu/Somes Island
Matiu/Somes Island sits in the middle of the harbour. It served as a quarantine station for immigrants and later for animals, and as an internment camp during both world wars.
Reach it by ferry from Queen's Wharf, where you can check destinations and times before you go.
10. Katherine Mansfield Birthplace
The Katherine Mansfield Birthplace is a preserved Victorian house, and one of the city's historic interiors.
Pair it with Nairn Street Cottage, also a preserved Victorian house, for a look at the city's domestic history.
11. Nairn Street Cottage
Nairn Street Cottage is a preserved Victorian house, best visited alongside the Katherine Mansfield Birthplace.
Both are small, so fit them into a half-day rather than a full one.
12. City Gallery
The City Gallery has changing modern art displays, so what you see depends on when you visit.
Check what is on before you go, and combine it with a wander through the central city.
13. Frank Kitts Park
Frank Kitts Park on the waterfront is a good place to wander, with walls to climb, inline skates and jet ski rental.
It is an easy add-on to a Te Papa visit or a walk along the harbour.
14. Oriental Parade
Oriental Parade in Oriental Bay is Wellington's most beautiful street. Locals and visitors run, walk, cycle, rollerblade and eat at the cafes and restaurants along the strip, or sunbathe at the beach.
Come at the end of the day, when the light is on the water and the cafes are open.
15. Weta Workshop
Weta Workshop offers tours of the studio that made the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Book ahead, since tours run to a schedule, and treat it as a half-day trip out of the centre.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start with Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum, then walk the waterfront past Frank Kitts Park to Queen's Wharf.
Afternoon: Take the Wellington Cable Car up to the Wellington Botanic Garden, visit the Cable Car Museum, the Lookout and the Carter Observatory at the top, then walk back down into the city.
Evening: Climb Mount Victoria for the full 360-degree view, then finish with a walk and a meal along Oriental Parade in Oriental Bay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to get a view of the city?
The Wellington Cable Car is the easiest way to get a nice view of the city and harbour. For the best lookout, head to Mount Victoria, which has a full 360-degree view of the airport, the harbour, the CBD and the Town Belt.
Where can I see native New Zealand wildlife?
Zealandia provides a natural haven for endangered native birds, tuatara, wētā and other indigenous flora and fauna, safe from introduced predators. It is by far the most convenient place in the country to see rare New Zealand wildlife.
How do I reach Matiu/Somes Island?
Matiu/Somes Island sits in the middle of the harbour. Take a ferry across the harbour, and go down to Queen's Wharf to check the destinations and times.
What can I do on a windy or rainy day?
Wellington is the world's windiest city by average wind speed, so it is worth having indoor options ready. The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the Wellington Museum, the Carter Observatory and the City Gallery all work well when the weather turns.
Start with the Cable Car and Te Papa, then build the rest of your days around the harbour and the hills.