City Gallery Wellington is an unusual gallery in that it has no permanent collections of its own. Instead, it hosts a variety of changing temporary exhibitions based around the latest in cutting-edge contemporary art, architecture and design from New Zealand and abroad. Housed in the former Wellington Public Library, the gallery consists of seven main exhibition spaces within a beautiful Art Deco building.Before you enter the main gallery, pay a visit to Square2, a visual art area which screens artists' videos on a 24-hour basis. Then head to the Deane Gallery to learn about Māori and Pacific Island art, before making your way to the Hirschfeld Gallery for work by Wellington natives. There are between six and eight exhibitions held in this space each year, covering everything from painting and sculpture to photography.While taking in the gallery's impressive collections, don’t forget to take the time to admire the interior of the building itself, with original Art Deco features such as the period glass light fittings.If you have the kids in tow, a great way to keep them focused and entertained is to download the gallery's activity booklets before your visit. These provide an entertaining way for the kids to interact with the exhibits as they move through the gallery. Children aged 5 to 8 years old will enjoy the Art Explorer: Civic Square booklet while Art Explorer: Waterfront caters for children aged 9 to 12 years.As the gallery's collections change on a regular basis, it's a good idea to check the official website before your visit for information on the current exhibitions and events.City Gallery Wellington is located in Civic Square, right in the centre of Wellington. There are numerous bus routes with stops here as well as plentiful on-street parking just nearby. The gallery is open every day except Christmas Day and admission is free, though occasional charges may apply to some of the exhibitions.
City Gallery Wellington Tours and Activities
Visit City Gallery Wellington
Plan a trip to see City Gallery Wellington
The Cambridge Hotel - Hostel
Reviewed on 30 Mar. 2024
Tours & day trips
See all 65 activitiesOpens in new tabHalf Day Lord of the Rings Tour
Adventure & outdoor
See all 21 activitiesOpens in new tabPrivate Wellington Full Day Sightseeing Tour
Private & custom tours
See all 13 activitiesOpens in new tabPrivate Wellington Full Day Sightseeing Tour
Air, helicopter & balloon tours
See all 4 activitiesOpens in new tabWellington South Coast Discovery Helicopter Flight
Popular places to visit
Civic Square
See iconic Wellington sculptures on your way to the city’s premier cultural institutions in this open area at the heart of the city.
Central Library
This modern public library is regarded for its functional architecture, free events year-round and many collections of books and other resources.
Wellington Town Hall
Catch an event at Wellington Town Hall during your trip to Wellington. Discover the fascinating museums and shops in this walkable area.
Michael Fowler Centre
Wellington’s main stage for conferences and indoor events features award-winning architecture and a year-round calendar of music and arts events.
Frank Kitts Park
Explore the great outdoors at Frank Kitts Park, a lovely green space in Wellington. Experience the acclaimed theatre scene and fascinating museums in this walkable area.
Antrim House
You can find out about the history of Wellington with a visit to Antrim House. Experience the fascinating museums and acclaimed theatre scene in this walkable area.
Top City Gallery Wellington Hotel & Accommodation Deals
Check availability on hotels close to City Gallery Wellington
- Holidays and getaways similar to City Gallery Wellington
- Are there hotels near City Gallery Wellington?
- Hotels near popular Wellington Attractions
- What kind of hotels are in City Gallery Wellington?
- Expedia's Latest Trends
- Hotels near Interislander Ferry Terminal
- Hotels near Te Papa
- Hotels near Cuba Street Mall
- Hotels near Wellington Central Business District
- Hotels near Sky Stadium
- Hotels near Wellington Zoo
- Hotels near Courtenay Place
- Hotels near Wellington Hospital
- Hotels near Lambton Quay
- Hotels near Victoria University of Wellington
- Hotels near Michael Fowler Centre
- Hotels near The Weta Cave
- Hotels near Wellington Cable Car
- Hotels near TSB Bank Arena
- Hotels near Oriental Bay Beach
- Hotels near Zealandia
- Hotels near New Zealand Parliament Buildings
- Hotels near Beehive
- Hotels near Newtown Park
- Hotels near Massey University