A day out in Wellington
Wellington is in Wellington, New Zealand. Hopalong knows 22 things to do and 28 places to eat here, plus day trips to Wairarapa. Prices are approximate adult prices in NZ$.
Top things to do in Wellington
Te Papa museum
Free · Waterfront · about 150 min
New Zealand's national museum, free entry.
Wētā Workshop tour
NZ$60 · Miramar · about 90 min
Behind the scenes of the film effects studio.
Wellington Zoo
NZ$27 · Newtown · about 150 min
Kiwi, red pandas and a vet hospital.
Space Place planetarium
NZ$15 · Kelburn · about 75 min
Planetarium shows and telescope viewing.
Wellington Museum
Free · Waterfront · about 60 min
The city's story in an 1892 bond store on Queens Wharf.
Wellington Cable Car and Botanic Garden
NZ$6 · Kelburn · about 120 min
Ride up, then walk down through the gardens.
Mount Victoria lookout
Free · Mount Victoria · about 60 min
Views across the harbour and a Lord of the Rings filming spot.
Parliament tour and the Beehive
Free · Parliament · about 60 min
Free guided tours of Parliament.
Wellington Waterfront walk
Free · Waterfront · about 60 min
From Te Papa past the sculptures and jumping platform to the railway station.
Brooklyn wind turbine lookout
Free · Brooklyn · about 45 min
Hilltop turbine with views over the city and the strait.
Free things to do in Wellington
- Te Papa museum (Waterfront): New Zealand's national museum, free entry.
- Mount Victoria lookout (Mount Victoria): Views across the harbour and a Lord of the Rings filming spot.
- Parliament tour and the Beehive (Parliament): Free guided tours of Parliament.
- Cuba Street (Cuba Street): Quirky shops and the famous Bucket Fountain.
- Oriental Bay beach (Oriental Bay): City beach with a promenade.
- Beach day at Oriental Bay: umbrella, book and towel (Oriental Bay): A city beach a short walk from the CBD.
- Wellington Botanic Garden (Kelburn): 25 hectares of native bush, a rose garden and the duck pond, downhill from the cable car.
- Otari-Wilton's Bush (Kelburn): A native plant garden and forest with a canopy walkway.
Where to eat
- Lunch on Cuba Street (Cuba Street, around NZ$25): Cafés, dumplings and bakeries.
- Dinner on Courtenay Place (Cuba Street, around NZ$50): Restaurants in the entertainment district.
- Dinner on Oriental Parade (Oriental Bay, around NZ$65): Harbour-view restaurants.
- Swimsuit Coffee (Cuba Street, around NZ$10): Scones and baguettes with a custom Supreme blend.
- Franks (CBD, around NZ$15): Award-winning coffee and vegan doughnuts on The Terrace.
- The Beanery by Mojo (CBD, around NZ$8): Coffee bar with an in-store roaster.
- Super Deli (CBD, around NZ$10): Takeaway coffee and caramel "Welly cubes".
- Goods Manufactory (Thorndon, around NZ$12): Pastries and black sesame kouign amann on Tinakori Road.
- Shelly Bay Baker (Cuba Street, around NZ$12): Sourdough and salted caramel cookies on Leeds Street.
- Orange Coffee Shop (Cuba Street, around NZ$15): Orange-themed café with cheese scones at the top of Cuba Street.
- Evil Twins Coffee (Cuba Street, around NZ$12): Iced matcha, hojicha and onigiri.
- Wellington Sourdough (Cuba Street, around NZ$15): Bakery in Left Bank Lane, known for chicken sandwiches.
- Aurora Argentinian Bakery (CBD, around NZ$10): Empanadas and alfajores.
- Belén Plant Bakery (CBD, around NZ$10): Vegan mince and cheese pies.
- People's Coffee (Newtown, around NZ$8): Fair-trade roaster on Constable Street since 2004.
- Black Coffee (Newtown, around NZ$10): Vegan snacks and local art on Riddiford Street.
- Tomboy (Mount Victoria, around NZ$12): Cake shop known for its coffee custard brioche.
- Volco (Kelburn, around NZ$25): Wood-fired pizza near the top of the cable car.
- Nicoletta's (Miramar, around NZ$12): Italian-style bakery near Wētā Workshop.
- Maranui Cafe (Lyall Bay, around NZ$25): Café upstairs in the surf club, looking over Lyall Bay.
- Fidel's (Cuba Street, around NZ$25): Cuba Street café institution.
- Floriditas (Cuba Street, around NZ$40): All-day bistro on Cuba Street.
- Customs by Coffee Supreme (Cuba Street, around NZ$8): Coffee and toast on Ghuznee Street.
- Flight Coffee Hangar (CBD, around NZ$20): Roaster café on Dixon Street.
- Shed 5 (Waterfront, around NZ$70): Seafood in a woolstore on Queens Wharf.
- Logan Brown (Cuba Street, around NZ$120): Fine dining in a 1920s banking hall.
- Kaffee Eis (Oriental Bay, around NZ$7): Gelato by the beach on Oriental Parade.
- Ekim Burgers (Cuba Street, around NZ$18): Burgers from a caravan up a flight of stairs off Cuba Street.
Step-free and pram-friendly ideas
- Te Papa museum · step-free · pram-friendly
- Wellington Cable Car and Botanic Garden · step-free
- Zealandia ecosanctuary · step-free · pram-friendly
- Parliament tour and the Beehive · step-free
- Wētā Workshop tour · step-free
- Cuba Street · step-free · pram-friendly
Access information can change. Check with the venue if access is essential.
Day trips from Wellington
Wairarapa
- Martinborough wine village (NZ$15): Pinot noir country over the Remutaka Hill.
- Lunch in Martinborough (NZ$40): Village square cafés and vineyard restaurants.
Typical weather in Wellington
| Month | Low | High | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C | 21°C | 8 |
| April | 10°C | 16°C | 11 |
| July | 7°C | 12°C | 13 |
| October | 10°C | 16°C | 11 |
Approximate long-term averages, not a forecast.