Things to do in Wellington

Best Things to do in Wellington

Planning a trip and wondering about the top things to do in Wellington? From historic landmarks to modern experiences, the city offers something for every traveller, making it a perfect getaway in 2026.

With over 147 activities in Wellington, there is plenty to explore. Visit some of the most popular tourist attractions in , including iconic sites, vibrant neighbourhoods and cultural hubs. Whether you’re exploring bustling markets, sampling local delicacies or relaxing at scenic spots, every corner has something new to discover.

With experiences starting at INR 704, it’s never been easier to plan your perfect trip. Make the most of your visit to Wellington in January and create memories that will last a lifetime.

A Complete Guide to the Best Things to Do in Wellington

About Wellington

Wellington is small as capitals go, but it has personality packed into every corner. The harbour curves around the city, hills rising just behind, and streets buzzing with cafés, little galleries, and shops that feel cosy.

You’ll probably wander the waterfront first, then maybe ride the old cable car up to the Botanic Gardens. The big museum by the water draws plenty of visitors, but weekends also bring out markets, stalls full of food, and the hum of live music. Breweries and craft spots are dotted through the streets, and if you step out a little further, green trails climb straight into the hills.

Whether you lean more towards food, art, or a day outdoors, the city makes it easy to fill your time. Morning walks by the sea, afternoons in museums, nights that stretch with gigs and good meals. It doesn’t really stop, just shifts its energy as the day moves on.

Unique Experiences

Wellington's Original HD LOTR Experience - includes Weta Tour

Step into Middle-earth with a guided trip to filming locations around the city. It’s one of the more atmospheric things to do in Wellington, especially if you’ve followed the movies. Forests, riversides, and hidden corners bring the fantasy alive.

• Where: Filming sites around Wellington.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 9,300 per person.
• Timing: Departs daily at 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM, lasting 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours (approx.)
• When to Visit: Best from October to April, when trails are drier and easier to walk.

Bay of Many Coves Helicopter Tour with Lunch

Taking a flight over the Marlborough Sounds stays with you. The view is wide open — green hills, blue water stretching forever — and then you land for a long meal that feels more like an experience than just food. Three courses, plenty to linger over. Adventure first, indulgence after.

• Where: Departs from Wellington, flying across Cook Strait to Bay of Many Coves.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 56,800 per person.
• Timing: Tours depart at 11:30 AM, lasting around 3 hours.
• When to Visit: Ideal from December to March, when skies are clear.

Wellington's Chocoholics Walking Odyssey

This sweet-tooth journey mixes tastings with history, making it one of the fun things to do in Wellington for both foodies and casual travellers.

• Where: Central Wellington chocolate boutiques and cafés.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 13,200 per person.
• Timing: Runs at 9:30 AM, lasting about 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
• When to Visit: Year-round, though winter months (June to August) make it extra cosy.

Atlantis Virtual Reality Escape Adventure

If you’re after something different, this interactive VR escape game is one of the most unusual top things to do in Wellington. Working together, you solve puzzles in an underwater world while exploring cutting-edge technology.

• Where: Central Wellington VR venue.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 3,700 per person.
• Timing: Available daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with sessions lasting 1 hour.
• When to Visit: Any time of year, especially as a great rainy-day activity.

Top Attractions

Wellington Cable Car and Botanic Garden

At the top of red cable car, you’ll find sweeping harbour views and trails through gardens that feel calm yet central. It’s one of the top things to do in Wellington if you want something easy and scenic.

• Where: Lambton Quay to Kelburn, Wellington
• Pricing: It starts from INR 1,000 per person
• Timing: Daily from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM
• When to Visit: Clear afternoons for views; evenings if you’re planning things to do in Wellington at night

Te Papa Museum

New Zealand’s national museum is free to enter and packed with interactive exhibits, from natural history to Māori culture. It’s one of the 10 things to do in Wellington New Zealand that you simply can’t skip, whether you’re into art, science, or history. Families, couples, and solo travellers all find plenty to see here.

• Where: Wellington waterfront
• Pricing: Free entry (some special exhibitions cost extra)
• Timing: Open daily, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• When to Visit: Year-round; a great choice for things to do in Wellington this weekend if weather turns wet

Mount Victoria Lookout

For a panoramic view over the city, the harbour, and even out toward the Cook Strait, Mount Victoria Lookout is a must. You can drive, bus, or walk up, and it’s one of the most photographed top tourist attractions in Wellington. Sunset is especially popular, making it one of the best things to do in Wellington at the end of a busy day.

• Where: Mount Victoria, central Wellington
• Pricing: Free entry
• Timing: Open 24 hours
• When to Visit: Sunset for evening colours; early morning for quieter trails

Sightseeing Tours

Discover Wellington 3 hour City Tour

Covering highlights like Mount Victoria, Parliament, and the waterfront, this compact tour is one of the easiest things to do in Wellington if you’re short on time.

• Where: Central Wellington and key city landmarks.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 4,700 per person.
• Timing: Departs daily at 9:30 AM to 2:45 PM, lasting 3 hours.
• When to Visit: Great year-round, though summer (December to February) offers clearer views.

Eco Wildlife Tour at Zealandia

This small-group experience takes you into Zealandia, a groundbreaking urban sanctuary. It’s one of the top tourist attractions in Wellington, letting you spot rare birds and learn about conservation.

• Where: Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary, 10 minutes from central Wellington.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 3,700 per person.
• Timing: Tours begin at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, lasting 2 hours.
• When to Visit: September to April, when wildlife activity is highest.

Wellington Full Day Private Tour in Electric Tesla SUV

Exploring the city in an electric Tesla combines comfort with style. It’s one of the more modern things to do in Wellington, covering both city highlights and hidden corners in a single day.

• Where: Full-day loop of Wellington and nearby attractions.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 21,000 per person
• Timing: 12:00 am - 5:30 pm, lasting about 7 to 8 hours.
• When to Visit: Works in all seasons, with spring and autumn offering cooler conditions.

Day Trips

Classic Guided Day Tour to Kapiti Island

This return trip to Kapiti Island focuses on wildlife, nature walks, and Māori history. It’s one of the best things to do in Wellington for those who love the outdoors.

• Where: Kapiti Island, off the coast from Paraparaumu.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 27,600 per person.
• Timing: Tours depart at 7:15 AM, lasting around 9 hours.
• When to Visit: Best from November to March, when bird activity is highest.

Martinborough Wine and Wild Coast Tour from Wellington

This day trip blends vineyard tastings with dramatic coastal scenery. It’s one of those 10 things to do in Wellington New Zealand that shows off both the food culture and rugged landscapes.

• Where: Martinborough wineries and south coast.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 19,400 per person.
• Timing: Departs daily at 10:00 AM, lasting about 10 hours.
• When to Visit: October to April, when vineyards are at their best.

Boat Tours

Wellington Shore Excursion City Sightseeing Tour

This tour combines city sightseeing with harbour views, giving cruise visitors a smooth way to explore. It’s a practical addition to your list of things to do in Wellington this weekend if you’re short on time.

• Where: Wellington waterfront and key city landmarks.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 8,000 per person.
• Timing: Runs at 8:45 AM, lasting 3 hours.
• When to Visit: Summer months (December to February) are ideal for clearer harbour views.

Scenic Kapiti Coast Tour from Wellington

A coastal tour with ocean views, seaside towns, and beaches. This trip is one of the more relaxed top things to do in Wellington.

• Where: Kapiti Coast, north of Wellington.
• Pricing: It starts from INR 23,000 per person.
• Timing: Tours begin at 9:30 AM, lasting about 7 hours.
• When to Visit: Best in spring and summer, when the coast feels lively.

Getting Around

• Walking: The centre is small, so you’ll end up on foot a lot. From the waterfront to Cuba Street and the big museum by the harbour, everything sits close together. It’s the easiest way to see the city without feeling like you’re on a schedule.
• Buses: Local buses cover the suburbs and nearby hills, making them useful if you’re planning things to do in Wellington this weekend beyond the centre. They’re regular, reliable, and inexpensive.
• Cable Car: This historic ride links the city with Kelburn and the Botanic Garden. It’s both transport and one of the classic top tourist attractions in Wellington.
• Taxis: Available across the city, handy late at night if you’ve lined up some things to do in Wellington at night and don’t want to walk back.
• Cycling: The waterfront paths and flat streets near the harbour are good for short rides. It’s a fun way to add outdoor activities into your day.

Traveller Tips

• Dress for the wind: Wellington is famously breezy, even in summer. A light jacket makes walking between Wellington tourist attractions far more comfortable and ensures you enjoy the best things to do in Wellington without cutting your plans short.
• Plan some indoor stops: Weather can shift quickly. Having museums, galleries, or cafés in your list means you’ll still find fun things to do in Wellington if the rain comes through.
• Use weekends well: Markets at the waterfront and local performances often pop up on Saturdays and Sundays. If you’re looking for things to do in Wellington this weekend, keep space in your schedule for these spontaneous finds.
• Catch the views twice: Mount Victoria Lookout is worth visiting in the day and again at night. It’s one of the top things to do in Wellington that shows off two completely different sides of the city.