https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/wellington/best-things-to-do/111000000755
Best Things to Do
Top 20 Best Things to Do in Wellington [2025]
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
4.4
/5
195 reviews
6.5
From RUB 3452.23
Based on 14,419 reviews
Wellington Central Business District | 661m from downtown
Phone +6443817000
Address: 55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Highlights:
Camp overnight & explore indoors
Maori cultural treasures preserved
34% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
A very beautiful pavilion with many exhibits of natural creatures and displays of Maori history and culture. It is worth a visit. But be reminded that it is only free for locals, and it costs 35 New Zealand dollars per person for foreign tourists!
The Te Papa National Museum of New Zealand is an important museum dedicated to displaying Australian Aboriginal culture and paleontological history. It houses many fossils of ancient animals, which are amazing. In addition, the Maori cultural exhibition here is also rich and colorful, showing the cultural characteristics of New Zealand in all aspects, which makes people linger.
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Wellington Cable Car
4.3
/5
42 reviews
6.3
From RUB 287.69
Based on 6,723 reviews
Wellington Central Business District | 263m from downtown
Phone +6444722199
Address: 280 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 hour
Highlights:
Centennial monorail on highway
Centennial tram: 2000ft urban & mountain
48% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Wellington Cable Car is a charming and efficient way to experience the city from a unique vantage point. The ride takes you from Lambton Quay to the Kelburn lookout, offering panoramic views of Wellington and its stunning harbor.The journey is smooth and relatively quick, making it a convenient option for both tourists and locals. At the top, you can explore the beautiful botanical gardens, visit the Cable Car Museum, and enjoy several walking trails.
The Wellington Monorail is the main means of transportation to Mount Victoria. It is a red cable car that is the same for both going up and down. It takes about 20 minutes to go back and forth. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mount Victoria. The feeling of being high above is very different.
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Weta Workshop
4.0
/5
36 reviews
6.0
From RUB 2637.12
Based on 3,875 reviews
4.5 km from downtown
Phone +6449094000
Address: 21 Camperdown Road, Miramar, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Discover movie special effects
Experience movie special effects magic
33% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It's still OK. There are 4 rooms in total. Different rooms introduce different functions. Some are masks, some are costumes, and there are also costumes of Liu Chang from The Wandering Earth. There are many famous works. It is really worth seeing
Wellington's Weta Workshop is a must-visit place for all Lord of the Rings fans. Here, all the characters, scenes and props from the Lord of the Rings movies can be easily found, as if you were in the movie. These props are very realistic, especially the characters, who look as if they were alive, which is amazing. One cannot help but admire how powerful the craftsmen are.
No.
4
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Wellington
4.2
/5
8 reviews
5.2
Based on 849 reviews
2.6 km from downtown
Phone +64800802802
Address: Wellington Ferry Terminal, 1 Aotea Quay, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Highlights:
Observation deck with café & bar
Coastal islands & scenic views
Verified user reviews
Cook Strait is the main transportation route connecting the South Island and the North Island of New Zealand. You need to take a ferry to cross the island by car. Most of the ferry routes go along the coast and islands, so the scenery on both sides is still very beautiful. The ferry takes 3.5 hours and is still worth experiencing.
This is my first time taking a ferry. It is a bit new and unknown. I have been struggling with how to get from the hotel to the pier these days. We walked to the pier once to consult. It took 50 minutes to walk to the pier. Later, I thought it was too hard to walk and drag the luggage. I wanted to take a bus, but I had to go to the train station to transfer. It was still troublesome to drag the luggage. Finally, I decided to let the hotel book a taxi for me the night before, and it picked us up on time at 7 o'clock in the morning. There are no fixed seats on the ferry. You can sit anywhere. I took pictures on the deck first. When I came down to find a seat, there was no place to sit, but I found it later. There is a buffet on the boat, which is not free. You can see the staff at any time and ask for advice. It seems that there are staff who can speak Chinese. In short, it is a very good experience.
No.
5
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Mount Victoria
4.4
/5
143 reviews
4.8
Based on 3,049 reviews
1.4 km from downtown
Phone +6448024860
Address: Wellington, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No. 2 of Spring Outings in Wellington
Highlights:
360° view of Wellington Harbor & South Sea
Panoramic view of Wellington & harbor
33% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Wellington is surrounded by rolling hills, lush greenery, blue sea and blue sky, and beautiful scenery. The climate is mild and spring-like all year round. Wellington has a mild and humid climate and is a famous tourist destination in the South Pacific. The climate is mild!
Mount Victoria in Wellington is the highest place in Wellington. It is located on the edge of the sea and has beautiful scenery. You can take the cable car to the top of the mountain and enjoy the beautiful sea view all around from the viewing platform. The scenery is really great and you should not miss it.
No.
6
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New Zealand Parliament Buildings
4.3
/5
88 reviews
4.7
Based on 1,965 reviews
Wellington Central Business District | 993m from downtown
Phone +6448179999
Address: 1 Molesworth Street, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Gothic & honeycomb architecture fusion
Guided tours of Parliament offices
26% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Capitol Building
Recommendation: It is best to make an appointment for this place on weekends. There are not many people on weekdays, and you can go in directly without an appointment. Go through security check before entering the door. You can bring nothing in except yourself. There is a place to send packages for free. After sending the package, go to the service desk to register and get a number. There will be a tour guide to lead you to visit the Capitol Building. There are only English tour guides, but there are brochures with Chinese introductions.
Transportation: Walk in the city center, or take the bus. There is a bus station nearby, see Figure 3.
Tickets: Free, it is best to book a visit time online.
Time: About 2 hours
The New Zealand Parliament Building in Wellington is a very wonderful building. It is shaped like a cylinder with a small top and a large bottom, and looks like an altar in China. It is supported by 30 columns at the bottom. Inside is a spacious conference hall. It is a landmark building in Wellington and worth visiting.
No.
7
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Cuba Street
4.0
/5
52 reviews
4.6
Based on 2,248 reviews
Wellington Central Business District | 818m from downtown
Phone +6448024860
Address: Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Creative district with cafes & bookstores
Colorful murals adorn streets
Verified user reviews
Cuba Street shows the free and casual side of Wellington. The colorful decorations here decorate the city, there are street artists, modern sculptures, and street artists often perform on the roadside. It is a very artistic place full of artistic atmosphere! The city responded to us with bright colors. Wellington's Cuba Street is full of retro, colorful and artistic atmosphere.
Cuba Street is a very special street in Wellington. As the name suggests, this street is full of Cuban characteristics, and the exterior walls of the houses have very beautiful graffiti. There are also many bars on the street, where you can taste the famous Cuban rum and cigars. Of course, most of the people living on this street are Cuban immigrants. It really feels like being on the streets of Havana, which is very different.
No.
8
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Space Place at Carter Observatory
4.1
/5
34 reviews
4.3
Based on 477 reviews
807m from downtown
Phone +6449103140
Address: 40 Salamanca Road, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Stargazing with astronomy enthusiasts
Stargazing & multimedia exhibition
30% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Carter Observatory: A Wonderful Journey to the Universe Carter Observatory, a celestial observation site in Wellington, New Zealand, is like a bright pearl, attracting countless astronomy enthusiasts and curious travelers to explore the mysteries of the universe. Recently, I have had the privilege of visiting myself and immersed myself in this fascinating astronomy journey, and the following will share my detailed experience for you. Arrival to the Observatory: The Harmonious Beauty of Nature and Architecture The Carter Observatory is located on the Capetti coast of Wellington, surrounded by mountains, away from the hustle and bustle of the city and light pollution, creating unique conditions for astronomical observations. As I slowly up the winding mountain road, the lush forest and fresh air came to my face, refreshing. The observatory's unique architectural style, modern silver dome complements the surrounding natural environment, as if it were naturally grown from the land. Stepping into the courtyard of the observatory, a beautiful sun stands among them, not only adding a simple atmosphere, but also making people feel the ancients' deep understanding of time and astronomy. Exploration: Immersive Astronomical Knowledge Feast Entering the Carter Observatory exhibition hall, I was instantly attracted by the rich variety of exhibits and interactive installations in front of me. The entire exhibition hall systematically displays the development of astronomy, the mysteries of the solar system and modern astronomical observation technology through multiple thematic areas. In the solar system exhibition area, realistic planetary models are arranged in proportions, making it seem like they have traveled through the vast universe. Each model is accompanied by a detailed introduction that not only covers the basic information of the planets, but also tells interesting stories about human exploration of these planets. On the interactive screen, I can tap into the unique characteristics of each planet, from the huge volcanoes on Mars to the famous Great Red Spot on Jupiter, where these distant objects become lifelike on the screen. In addition, there are areas in the exhibition hall that specialize in the development of telescopes, from the early simple single-bio telescopes to modern complex radio telescopes, a series of physical models and historical data, let me clearly see the footsteps of human exploration of the universe. Here I learn about the great discoveries of famous astronomers and how they can break through the boundaries of cognition by constantly improving their observational equipment. The Skywalk Experience: A Mind-Shaking Cosmic Tour The Skywalk at Carter Observatory is undoubtedly the most memorable part of the entire visit. Step into the Skywalk, comfortable seats and huge hemispheric dome create a mysterious atmosphere. As the lights dim, a mind-shaking journey to the universe officially kicks off. Under the guidance of a professional narrator, we follow the starry sky projected on the dome, travel through the Milky Way and explore the mysteries of distant galaxies. From the ripple nebula to the mysterious black hole, every picture is breathtaking. The Tianxiang Museum not only shows the magnificent scenery of the universe, but also explains the astronomy knowledge in depth. Through vivid simulations, I understood the changing laws of the four seasons of the starry sky, and the myths and legends behind the constellations.
Carter Observatory is one of the most famous attractions in Wellington. This observatory has a history of more than 100 years. There are many books related to astronomy and many interactive areas for tourists. You can easily and simply learn a lot of profound astronomical knowledge. It is definitely worth a visit.
No.
9
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Wellington Botanic Garden
4.7
/5
73 reviews
4.2
Based on 3,714 reviews
895m from downtown
Phone +6444991400
Address: 101 Glenmore Street, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No. 1 of Spring Outings in Wellington
Highlights:
Cable car to garden top
Exotic trees since 1844
28% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Wellington Botanic Gardens is the largest botanical garden in New Zealand. It covers a very large area and grows many rare plants from all over the world. Although it is located in the frigid zone, you can see many tropical plants in the greenhouse, and the flowers here are in full bloom in spring and summer, which is very beautiful.
Wellington Botanic Gardens, next to the Overseas Chinese Center, the botanical garden has a sense of hierarchy, the color of the sea seen from above is particularly beautiful, the beauty that cannot be photographed. I finally saw the legendary jacaranda in the botanical garden. If it blooms in full bloom, it must be stunning.
No.
10
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Wellington Zoo
4.0
/5
43 reviews
4.2
From RUB 1249.08
3.7 km from downtown
Phone +6443816755
Address: 200 Daniell Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Highlights:
New Zealand's 2nd largest zoo
Kiwi bird watching in darkness
Verified user reviews
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand after all. Although a variety of animals such as cattle, sheep, and birds can be seen all over the country, the systematic and authoritative display of the country's species can only be found in the capital's Wellington Zoo.
If you like to get up close and personal with animals, this is a great place for you! You can pay a little extra for a guided tour to interact with the animals which is a great experience. For a small zoo, there is a lot of variety and variety of animals here, I highly recommend it for families, I'm sure your kids will love it. I really appreciate the care and attention the staff take, considering that the zoo is not only a care center for the animals, but also a place where they are kept captive.
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