Wellington Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Wellington

Wellington Travel Guide Video

Visit the "coolest little capital in the world" for arts, culture and film industry glamour, not to mention stunning natural beauty.

As the capital of New Zealand, Wellington is the most southerly capital city on the planet. According to Māori legend, Wellington Harbour was first discovered by Kupe in A.D. 925. 1840 saw the arrival of the Europeans, who named the city after the Duke of Wellington, and it finally became the country's capital in 1865.Previously overlooked in favour of the more popular Auckland, a lot has changed here in terms of tourism in the last few years, with Wellington now described by some as the "coolest little capital in the world". Its hip reputation is due in large part to its thriving cultural scene, its nightlife and, in particular, one of the most successful film industries outside Tinseltown. Plenty of tourists come here to see famous film scenes come to life, such as the stunning landscapes of the Lord of the Rings trilogy or the heightened surroundings of blockbuster Avatar. The city's wealth of high-tech sound stages, special effects gurus and studios have led to the area sometimes being dubbed "Wellywood".A good place to start getting to grips with the city is along the waterfront. This area is most notably home to the national museum Te Papa. Not far is the Museum of Wellington City and Sea, which tracks the development and maritime heritage of the New Zealand capital.One of the most enduring tourist attractions in the city is the Wellington Cable Car. This 8-minute journey will whip you up the hill to Wellington Botanic Garden and the Kelburn lookout point. You can then hop on a shuttle from here to Zealandia, a conservation project which aims to return part of the countryside to its original state before human settlement. To see the famous unspoilt landscape of Wellington on a grander scale, head into the hills for some dramatic tramping trails, or make the trip to the city's nearest beach, Oriental Bay Beach.As night falls, the streets of Wellington come to life with great bars, cafés, restaurants and entertainment. Despite its many great facilities, Wellington is really quite a small city. One of the many advantages of this is that most things are within easy walking distance, making the visitor's life as easy and laidback as possible.

Where to stay in Wellington

Wellington featuring interior views and kayaking or canoeing

Wellington CBD

If you're spending some time in Wellington CBD, Wellington Cable Car and TSB Bank Arena are top sights worth seeing.

Wellington CBD
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Petone

4/5(247 area reviews)

Seaside views, cafes and waterfront views highlight some of the notable features of Petone. Make a stop by Petone Foreshore while you're exploring.

Petone
Courtenay Place featuring interior views and a bar as well as a small group of people

Te Aro

4.5/5(1,649 area reviews)

Te Aro is known for its popular shops, and with sights like St James Theatre and Cuba Street Mall, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Wellington.

Te Aro
Wellington which includes a city, a sunset and a bridge

Wellington Waterfront

The abundant dining options and interesting museums are top of the list for many visitors to Wellington Waterfront. A stop by Te Papa or TSB Bank Arena might round out your trip.

Wellington Waterfront
Wellington Zoo showing zoo animals and cuddly or friendly animals

Newtown

If you're spending some time in Newtown, Newtown Park and Wellington Zoo are top sights worth seeing.

Newtown
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Mount Cook

If you're spending some time in Mount Cook, Basin Reserve and Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre are top sights worth seeing.

Mount Cook
ibis Wellington
ibis Wellington
3.5 out of 5
153 Featherston St, Wellington
The price is NZ$118 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
NZ$118
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Wellington. Enjoy breakfast, WiFi, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Great spot in Windy Welly
"This is a nice hotel in a very good location - close to the Beehive, Te Papa, Cuba street and the cable car, plus just one block from the AirPort Express bus stop on Lambton. The hotel is clean and most staff was friendly and helpful."

Reviewed on 11 Mar. 2024

ibis Wellington
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
4.5 out of 5
147 The Terrace, Wellington
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$149 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
NZ$149
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Wellington. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Very nice hotel. Friendly staff and great bar!"

Reviewed on 17 Mar. 2024

James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
Copthorne Hotel Wellington, Oriental Bay
Copthorne Hotel Wellington, Oriental Bay
4 out of 5
100 Oriental Parade, Oriental Bay, Wellington
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$181 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
NZ$181
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Wellington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Very convenient for access to the City and it was very comfortable and staff were very helpful."

Reviewed on 12 Mar. 2024

Copthorne Hotel Wellington, Oriental Bay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Park Hotel Lambton Quay
Park Hotel Lambton Quay
2.5 out of 5
101 The Terrace, Wellington, Wellington
Stay at this aparthotel in Wellington. Enjoy free WiFi, an onsite convenience store, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Lambton Quay and Wellington ...
7.2/10 Good! (70 reviews)
"Very nice rooms with full kitchette, tidy and close to the waterfront"

Reviewed on 17 Mar. 2024

Park Hotel Lambton Quay
Boulcott Suites
Boulcott Suites
4 out of 5
5 O'Reily Ave, Wellington
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Wellington. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,050 reviews)
"Great hotel in Wellington - great location, close to CBD, staff very friendly and helpful, rooms were spacious and in suite laundry facilities were a bonus! Would highly recommend!"

Reviewed on 16 Mar. 2024

Boulcott Suites
Sojourn Apartment Hotel - Ghuznee
Sojourn Apartment Hotel - Ghuznee
4.5 out of 5
75 Ghuznee St, Wellington, Wellington
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Wellington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (105 reviews)
"Gorgeous little apartment. Lovely helpful front desk . Walking distance to great restaurants. Safe to walk at night - altogether fantastic"

Reviewed on 15 Mar. 2024

Sojourn Apartment Hotel - Ghuznee
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Wellington

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1614
" "5 - Excellent 52.95275590551181%
4 - Good
1257
" "4 - Good 41.24015748031496%
3 - Okay
160
" "3 - Okay 5.2493438320209975%
2 - Disappointing
12
" "2 - Disappointing 0.3937007874015748%
1 - Terrible
5
" "1 - Terrible 0.16404199475065617%

5/5 - Excellent

RayTanya
2 Jun 2020

Love our trips to Wellington. Great bars and restaurants. Good shopping in CBD and Queensgate. Reasonably easy to drive around.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
1 Jun 2020

We come to Wellington to visit family but also enjoy the city and seafront. It's a lively city with plenty of options for activities.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
31 May 2020

Cool place to visit. Good food and good Shopping

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
31 May 2020

was a very fun weekend away

3/5 - Okay

Disgusted
31 May 2020

Its pretty but a bit boring

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
29 May 2020

Very little street parking, so generally you are forced to go to paid parking but you must be careful of sneaky extra charges and fines from Wilson carparks.

Cities near Wellington