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Things to Do in Wellington & Wairarapa

Things to Do in Wellington New Zealand: the city on a hill where wooden villas gaze down on high-rise offices and beautiful Oriental Bay. Everything in downtown Wellington is just a stones throw away – trains, boats, and planes are easily accessible from the city center. You won’t go hungry here either -corner cafés, boutique restaurants, and busy city bars are everywhere. The waterfront is the pièce de résistance – a fabulous wide walkway follows the water’s edge alongside the city center.

Wellington City New Zealand, Photo Credit: Graeme Murray

 

Experience Wellington & Wairarapa Region – Things to Do in Wellington New Zealand

  • Capital City of New Zealand
  • Café Capital of New Zealand
  • Cook Strait ferries linking South and North
  • Wairarapa wines and olive groves
  • Wonderful waterfront walks

You´ll ❤️ these great things to see & do…

  • Walk & read the “text sculptures’ on the Wellington waterfront
  • Visit Te Papa and the Museum of Wellington
  • Drop into Cuba Street for a coffee, colour and a chat
  • Catch the Cable Car for great views over the City and Harbour
  • Go to a kiwi music gig
  • See live theatre at Downstage
  • Walk with virtual moa at ZEALANDIA: The Exhibition
  • Walk with real kakariki on Matiu-Somes lsland
  • Head over the Rimutaka Hill to the Wairarapa vineyards
  • See twelve great attractions via the hop on/hop off CitySights bus
  • Study the southern skies at the Carter Observatory

 

Head north for a short drive to the Kapiti Coast. Kapiti Island is home to many endangered New Zealand birds – such as the little spotted Kiwi, the Kokako, Takahe and Kakariki.
You can visit the island but you’ll need a permit from DOC (www.doc.govt.nz). To the east you’ll find the wonderful Wairarapa with its local wines, excellent cafés and unspoiled countryside.

Useful Wellington & Wairarapa, New Zealand Resources

Wellington is a unique and vibrant city that represents the pride and prestige of New Zealand. As the capital city, it is home to a significant portion of the country’s population and serves as the center of political activities. It houses various government offices and head offices of different departments.

Apart from politics, Wellington is renowned for its colorful nightlife, café culture, and thriving film and theatre industry. It hosts the country’s international art festival and boasts of a high quality of living compared to many other cities in the world. The city’s architectural beauty, with its historical wooden cottages and iconic structures, is a testament to its rich history.

Wellington’s cultural institutions, museums, and prestigious festivals add color and vibrancy to life. The city is also famous for its small group performers in improvised comedy, and its scenic beauty, with its harbor and forested hills, attracts tourists from all over the world.

Things to See & Do – The Best Tours & Day Trips from/in Wellington & Wairarapa

Listing view

Interislander Ferry from Wellington

[wonderplugin_gallery id="117"]   Interislander is a ferry service that operates in New Zealand. It connects the North and South Islands of New Zealand by crossing the Cook Strait. The journey from Wellington to Picton covers a distance of 92 km and takes about three hours. This ferry ride is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New Zealand and is considered one of the most scenic cruises around the world. Interislander has three ships named Arahura, Aratere, and Kaitaki. These ships are designed to accommodate both passengers and their vehicles. They offer a comfortable, safe, and affordable journey across the Cook Strait. Besides, Interislander provides a range of onboard services to make your journey more enjoyable. With up to 11 sailings per day, passengers can choose the most convenient travel time as per their schedule. Your trip on the Interislander ferry will be an unforgettable experience. Interislander takes pride in providing a unique travel experi....
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Kapiti Island Nature Tour

[wonderplugin_gallery id="184"] Kapiti Island Nature Tour: Kapiti Island offers a day tour and an overnight stay at the lodge for a more immersive experience. Kapiti Island Nature Tours is the only provider of an overnight stay on the island. Our family will share stories and show you the true beauty of New Zealand, which is very close to our hearts. Kapiti Island is known as one of the most important conservation islands in New Zealand, providing a pest and predator-free environment for many of the country's most endangered bird species. However, Kapiti Island is not just a 'conservation island'. For over eight hundred years, people have also lived on the island, and their history remains through the stories and legends passed down by their ancestors, as well as through historical sites and artifacts. Whether you're a local or visiting from overseas, seeing Kiwi birds in their natural habitat is an experience that should not be missed. Kapiti Island is home to over 1,200 Lit....
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Kapiti Island Tour from Wellington

[wonderplugin_gallery id="118"]   'Kapiti Gold Coast' Half Day Tour: Looking for a quick escape from the busy city life? Take half a day off and explore the beautiful coast North of Wellington. This trip offers you a chance to taste locally produced gourmet delights, visit Southwards Car Museum, check out boutique souvenir stores, and enjoy endless rural and coastal views. The journey starts at Plimmerton, a seaside resort, and continues up the coastal highway via the popular Chocolate New Zealand Factory to Paraparaumu. Next, we'll visit Lindale Farm where you can enjoy free Kapiti Cheese tasting, try their original homemade ice cream (at your own cost), and see farm animals. After that, we'll head to Southward Vintage Car Museum, which boasts the largest privately owned collection of vintage and veteran cars in the Southern Hemisphere. The museum features many rare and valuable exhibits, including an 1895 Benz which was imported in 1900, Marlene Dietric....
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Lord Of The Rings Filming Locations & Palliser Bay Scenery

Lord Of The Rings New Zealand Tour Palliser Bay & Scenery With LOTR

World-famous LOTR filming locations

Get off the beaten tourist track on this tour of scenic diversity. This guided tour has everything from world-famous Lord of the Rings film locations to wondrous mountain ranges, elegant villages, boutique wineries, rural farmlands, and rugged and ....
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Martinborough Gourmet Wine Escape

 

Departing from Wellington Railway Station at 8.25am weekdays and 9.55am weekends and public holidays via Tranz Metro’s Wairarapa Service you will be met in Featherston Railway Station by your Gourmet Wine Escape Coach and driver. Visit the award-winning Martinborough wine region on this all inclusive wine tour and treat your taste buds. Visit four boutique vineyards, meet some of the families behind the vineyards and learn how this sleepy, rural town blossomed into an internationally renowned wine region. Just over an hour from the capital, depart Wellington by rail for a scenic journey with stunning views of Wellington harbour and the Wairarapa Valley. Visit 4 boutique Martinborough vineyards, enjoy wine tastings throughout the day, a delightful gourmet lunch at the charming wine village, sweet delights and later, relax with a delicious cheese platter and coffee. Relax and let our local....
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Te Papa Museum Guided Tour

[wonderplugin_gallery id="114"]   Te Papa Museum Guided Tour: This 60-minute tour is the perfect way to get an overview of Te Papa’s highlights, Māori taonga (treasures), and New Zealand history. Your experienced tour guide will reveal innovative cultural treasures of the Māori and Pasifika peoples, the history and science of our vibrant natural environment, and the national art collection. Ideal for visitors with limited time or those wanting an introduction to an extended visit. Te Papa is the National Museum of New Zealand, known for its bicultural, scholarly, innovative, and entertaining approach. Collections cover five main areas: Art, History, Pacific, Māori, and Natural Environment. Exhibitions are interactive and interdisciplinary, and we have a range of dynamic events and educational programs. We also have successful commercial ventures, such as a publishing division, conference operations, and retail stores. We are ....
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Walking Gourmet Tour of Wellington

 

Our flagship tour, this mouth-watering culinary experience concludes with a delicious, light, three course tasting lunch with matched New Zealand wines at top Wellington restaurant, Logan Brown* (2009 Cuisine Magazine NZ Restaurant of the Year Winner). Over a relaxed 4 hour walking gourmet tour around Wellington's best food places, your personal guide will introduce you to new and favourite flavours. Tour content can vary seasonally, and you may visit a boutique coffee roaster and stylish cafe, renowned specialist fresh produce and gourmet food stores, and a unique contemporary chocolatier. Walking Time: up to 50-60 minutes, at a casual wandering pace. Additional Notes: * Logan Brown is open for lunch from Tuesdays to Saturdays. If you book your tour on a Monday we will take you to another of our favourite restaurants. * Coffee Roasting is available during weekdays. For our Saturday bookings, we ....
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Wellington City Sightseeing

 

The perfect introduction to Wellington City! Visit all the must-see sights and attractions, as well as venturing out for a leisurely cruise around our rugged Southern coastline. Make the most of your time in Wellington on this popular tour - A short yet thorough overview. Highlights include city, harbour and hill views from some of the city's most spectacular vantage points, as well as visiting many of Wellington's most famous sights, landmarks, and icons. These include: The famous Beehive and Parliament Buildings Old Saint Paul's Cathedral, the finest example of Revival Gothic architecture in the Southern Hemisphere, Exquisite Lady Norwood Rose Gardens, The largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere, Various buildings exemplifying classic early Wellington architecture. Enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of Wellington City, hills and harbour from the summit of Mount Victoria, and driv....
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Zealandia Karori Wildlife Sanctuary

[wonderplugin_gallery id="111"]   Zealandia Karori Wildlife Sanctuary: Just minutes from downtown Wellington, nestled among the hilly suburbs, lies a place unlike any other - ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience. Home to some of the rarest and most extraordinary wildlife on the planet, ZEALANDIA is an award-winning eco-attraction in New Zealand that offers a true taste of the country's natural heritage. Your ZEALANDIA experience includes an exciting new exhibition and walks in our ever-changing sanctuary valley. Or for an even more unique experience check out our ZEALANDIA by Night tour - a special nocturnal experience. Roam the Sanctuary Valley Step inside the world's first fully-fenced urban wildlife sanctuary - a haven for some of New Zealand's rarest native animals like the kaka - our playful forest parrot - and dozens more species found nowhere else in the world. Our popular ranger talks provide fascinating stories about some of our mo....
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