25 of the Best Things to do in Wellington New Zealand

25 of the Best Things to do in Wellington

Hiking and Outdoor Adventures

1. Hike up Mount Victoria

Dominating the Wellington skyline is the peak of Mount Victoria, and hiking up to its 196m summit is a bit of a rite of passage, and one of the most popular free things to do in Wellington. So as soon as you get some clear weather, we’d recommend lacing up those walking shoes.

There are several walking tracks leading up the forested slopes that feed into the wider Mount Victoria trail network. These paths traverse shady forest, stunning viewpoints, even the odd Lord of the Rings filming location.

While the climb is fairly steep in places, it’s thankfully quite short. After half-an-hour or so you’re rewarded with panoramic views over the harbour, city skyline and Cook Strait from the Mount Victoria lookout.

This is arguably one of the best views in Wellington, and a great way to get your bearings over the city’s hills and rugged coastline.

2. Walk the waterfront from Queens Wharf to Oriental Bay

Wellington’s windswept waterfront is very much a focal point of the city. Packed with some of the city’s best cultural institutions, bars and restaurants, it’s also blessed with expansive views best enjoyed when the weather behaves.

Like us, you’ll probably find yourself down here often during your stay. But if you really want to get a sense of local life, take the time for a leisurely stroll between Queens Wharf and Oriental Bay on a sunny day.

The flat, scenic path traverses boardwalk, bridges and concrete paths along the water’s edge, passing public art, museums, swimming platforms, bars, beaches, cafes and open spaces frequented by locals year-round.

It’s a lovely way to experience Wellington, with joggers, buskers, dog walkers, tourists, beachgoers, kayakers and even waka canoe paddlers, making up an eclectic mix of local life.

3. Visit Zealandia Ecosanctuary

Zealandia was hands-down one of the most unique things to do in Wellington. The world’s first fully-fenced urban eco-sanctuary, it’s a 225-hectare, predator-free environment, protecting native forest and wildlife just minutes from the city centre.

We arrived for opening and spent three very happy hours wandering the well-maintained trails that wind through the beautiful valley, with a soundtrack of birdsong for company.

Getting here early means you’ll experience the site at its peaceful best, with busy birds flitting around as you meander through wetland and forest.

We saw more birdlife than we could keep track of, including kākā, chatty tui, pied shags, pāpango, blackbirds, hihi (stitchbirds), saddlebacks, whiteheads, and kuera.

This is also a great spot to gain a deeper understanding of New Zealand’s conservation efforts, and what the land looked like before human settlement. Excellent interpretive signage and guided tours add some useful context.

4. Look for fur seals on the Red Rocks Coastal Walk

If you want to see Wellington at its wildest, the Red Rocks Coastal Walk delivers. Stretching along the city’s exposed south coast, this rugged walk feels a world away from the CBD, despite being only a short drive or bus ride from the centre.

The track winds its way through the Red Rocks Reserve, passing windswept cliffs, rocky shoreline and distinctive, red-stained volcanic rocks that give the area its name. On blustery days, waves crash against the coast and seabirds wheel overhead, giving the walk a truly raw feel that perfectly captures Wellington’s character.

Between May and October, a fur seal colony takes up residence near Sinclair Head. Watching them bask, squabble and occasionally lumber into the water for a swim definitely adds to the experience.

You can walk as far as you like before turning back, but many people head all the way to the red rocks themselves, or continue on towards Sinclair Head for a longer outing. However far you go, this is one of the best places to visit in Wellington to really experience its dramatic coastline.

5. Hike the Skyline Walkway to the summit of Mount Kaukau

The Skyline Walkway is one of the top Wellington attractions and among its best ridge walks, running along an exposed track west of the city and connecting a series of high points including Mount Kaukau, Makara Saddle and several smaller summits.

The section to Mount Kaukau itself is one of the most rewarding, with well-formed tracks that climb steadily through open terrain and patches of native bush. At the summit lookout, you’re treated to 360-degree views across Wellington to the South Island (on a good day).

As the walkway follows a ridgeline, sections are exposed to wind and weather. Sturdy footwear and warm, layered clothing are a must, even in decent conditions (this is Wellington after all).

The route is also shared with mountain bikers and trail runners, and there are many access points if you’d prefer to tackle the hike in sections.

Whether you’re aiming to get to the Kaukau summit and back on the same day, or incorporate it into a longer tramp along the ridge, this is an excellent choice for anyone wanting an iconic Wellington outdoor experience that feels remote despite being relatively close to the city.

Beaches and Viewpoints

6. Chill out at Oriental Bay, Wellington’s iconic city beach

Oriental Bay Beach is Wellington’s most iconic city beach and, on a good day, it’s where the city really comes into its own.

Tucked into a sheltered curve of harbour just east of the CBD, it offers a rare combination of swimmable water, harbour views and city convenience, all within walking distance of the centre.

In summer, the bay is a hive of activity. Locals and visitors spread out along the sand, swimmers make the best of the calm water, and paddleboarders drift across the bay. The orientation and protection from prevailing winds mean conditions here are often far calmer than on Wellington’s more exposed beaches.

Behind the beach, the waterfront promenade is lined with cafés, bars and ice-cream spots, making it easy to turn a swim into a long lunch or sunset drink. Even outside the warmer months, Oriental Bay is a great place for a stroll, with views back towards the city skyline and across the harbour.

It’s a beautiful spot, and one we kept coming back to throughout our Wellington visit.

7. Take the cable car up to Wellington Botanic Garden & Space Place

Wellington’s historic little red cable cars have been trundling up and down the hill between Lambton Quay and Kelburn since 1902. So a cable car ride really is a quintessential Welly experience while you’re here.

At the summit, you’re rewarded with lovely views across the city and harbour. This is also, conveniently, the entrance to Wellington Botanic Garden.

Take some time to wander this well-maintained green space (it’s free), including the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and Begonia House (this will be closed for refurb throughout 2026).

Or pop into the domed Space Place observatory to enjoy the popular astronomy exhibits and planetarium shows.

8. Lay a towel on Wellington’s best beach at Scorching Bay

Scorching Bay is often described as Wellington’s best beach, and on a calm, sunny day it’s hard to argue otherwise.

Tucked away on the eastern side of the Miramar peninsula, this sheltered bay feels far removed from the CBD, despite being only a short trip from the city.

The clear, calm water makes Scorching Bay one of the best swimming spots in Wellington, although the water is still distinctly chilly, even in summer.

Behind the sand, a wide grassy bank provides plenty of space to stretch out with a towel or picnic. There’s a relaxed, local feel that’s easy to settle into for a few hours.

On a nice day, it’s worth grabbing a table outside at Scorchorama, the much-loved café overlooking the beach. It’s the perfect place for a coffee, brunch or post-swim snack.

9. Take in big views over Wellington from Brooklyn Wind Turbine

Perched high above the city on Wellington’s western hills, the Brooklyn Wind Turbine is one of the capital’s best viewpoints, with expansive panoramas across Wellington Harbour, the CBD and Cook Strait. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the South Island.

Installed in 1993 as New Zealand’s first large-scale wind turbine, it also serves as a visible reminder of Wellington’s blustery climate and the country’s early push into renewable energy.

It’s a quieter, less crowded alternative to Mount Victoria, and the open setting gives the viewpoint an expansive feel that’s particularly impressive in clear weather.

10. Feel the wind in your hair at Lyall Bay

You’ll find Lyall Bay facing the open ocean on the city’s south coast. Unsurprisingly, it’s one of Wellington’s most popular surf beaches, with a long crescent of sand, rolling waves, strong winds and big, big skies.

The bay’s exposed position makes it a great place to watch the weather roll in or catch the planes passing low overhead as they land or take off from nearby Wellington Airport.

While here, you can turn your visit into a longer wander with a scenic walk around the coast to explore the rocky headlands and west-facing Princess Bay, a great spot for sunset.

Or if you’re feeling less energetic, pop into Parrotdog Brewery and Bar for a cold one. It’s one of our absolute favourite Welly breweries, with an excellent range of beers (including some tops IPAs) that can be sampled on a tasting paddle.

If it’s too early for beer, we highly recommend heading to the beachfront Maranui Café for brunch or lunch. Don’t be put off by the queue, it moves quite quickly, and the delicious menu, tasty coffee, and views of the bay are worth the wait.

History and Culture

11. Explore Te Papa – the Museum of New Zealand

Sitting right on the waterfront, Te Papa Tongarewa is one of those Wellington must do’s that should be on every itinerary. It’s also New Zealand’s national museum, and it does an outstanding job bringing the country’s culture, history and natural environment to life.

We visited on a typically blustery, rainswept day that was perfect for inside activities – and our 3 hour visit here left us in little doubt that this is one of the most rewarding things to do in Wellington.

You’ll find exhibitions ranging from Māori and Pacific culture to colonial history, art, and hands-on science exhibits, with a strong emphasis on storytelling and interaction rather than static displays.

We particularly enjoyed learning about the Treaty of Waitangi and seeing the excellent collection of Māori art and artefacts. Another highlight for us was the immersive ‘Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War’ exhibit with its haunting stories, and stunningly lifelike giant sculpted figures – which you’ll learn more about if you visit Wētā Workshop.

12. Learn about Wellington’s Māori history, culture and art on a cultural tour

Discovering the stories and history of Wellington through a Māori lens with the awesome crew at Te Wharewaka o Pōneke was a highlight of our Wellington visit.

Te Wharewaka o Pōneke offers a range of cultural experiences such as walking tours, archaeological site visits, and paddling traditional waka canoes.

We opted for the excellent City to Sea Walking Tour, which starts in their waterfront marai. The tour began with a traditional welcome and singing (come ready with a song to contribute). We then learnt about the two impressive waka on display before moving over to the City to Sea Bridge and the waterfront Kupa Statue.

Along the way, our guides introduced us to Wellington’s Māori heritage, sharing traditional stories about the harbour’s formation and its connection to the great Polynesian explorer Kupe.

We loved the warm, friendly, interactive delivery of this experience. Having the opportunity to gain an understanding of the city from a perspective we wouldn’t otherwise get makes this, for us at least, one of the best things to do in Wellington. Highly recommended.

13. Experience movie magic at Wētā Workshop

As Lord of the Rings tragics, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit Wellington’s Wētā Workshop for a peek behind the scenes to see how all that movie magic really happens.

Based close to the city in Miramar, Wētā Workshop is renowned for its work on The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, but a visit here goes well beyond Peter Jackson’s iconic films.

We booked our Wētā Workshop Guided Tour in advance and joined a small group for a walk through the workshop, showing the creative journey of film effects from sketch to screen.

While the tour covers just a small corner of the workshop, you do get to see props, costumes, weapons, armour, and models from some of the many films the Wētā team has worked on over the years.

You’ll also see some impressive craftmanship in action, with artists, swordsmiths, armourers and prop technicians at work bringing fantasy and science fiction worlds to life.

14. Discover the quirky Wellington Museum

Another awesome cultural institution on the waterfront, Wellington Museum is located at the former Bond Store that once housed the Wellington Harbour Board offices.

It’s a compact, well laid out museum that focuses on the people and stories that have shaped the city. Exhibits span Wellington’s development from early Māori settlement through European arrival to the modern era.

We loved the fact this isn’t the kind of slick, linear museum we so often see. Instead, it’s unapologetically quirky and eclectic, blending personal anecdotes, photographs and objects to perfectly represent the city whose stories it shares.

Whether it’s immersing yourself in the harrowing story of the 1968 Wahine shipwreck, learning about the adventures of Paddy the Wanderer, Wellington’s beloved dockside pooch, or losing yourself in the wonderfully bizarre curiosities to be found in The Attic, there’s something here for everyone. It’s well worth an hour or two of your time.

15. Tour the Wellington Beehive

The Beehive is one of Wellington’s most distinctive buildings, so named because it looks like a traditional woven beehive called a skep.

This is where you’ll find the Executive wing of the New Zealand Government, including Ministerial offices and Cabinet meeting rooms. It sits within the broader complex of Parliamentary buildings and parkland.

There are a range of guided tours available, including an introductory tour that takes you inside the Beehive and neighbouring Parliament buildings. Depending on whether Parliament is sitting, you might see the debating chamber, committee rooms, banquet hall, parliamentary library and the Beehive theatre.

Beyond the introductory tour, there are also a range of specialised tours on offer, allowing a more in-depth focus on things like art, history, Māori perspectives and more.

Or if you’d prefer to roam the parliamentary precinct at your leisure, you can pick up a free Parliamentary Outdoor Trail map from the Visitor Centre.

Eats and Drinks

16. Take on the Craft Beer Capital Trail

We found our beer nirvana in Wellington. The city is widely regarded as New Zealand’s craft beer capital, so we tried our best to sample as much as we could – for research purposes of course!

There’s an abundance of taprooms and craft beer joints across Wellington, and some of our favourites were clustered around the CBD, making them easy to explore on foot.

While we were busy enjoying our beer odyssey, we discovered the Craft Beer Capital Trail – a fun way to discover Wellington’s craft beer while collecting stamps towards a free prize. We ended up with a beer trail t-shirt for our efforts.

If juicy hazy IPAs, creamy milk stouts and super fresh pale ales sound like your thing; if a chilli, cucumber, dill and pickle sour floats your boat; or if you get excited at the idea of trying a beer made with spent, dry hop sludge – the Wellington beer scene is calling.

17. Get to know Wellington’s coffee scene

Like many Aussies, we’re a little precious about our coffee. So the relief was real when we visited Flight Coffee Hangar Café on our first day in town and discovered that Wellington’s reputation as New Zealand’s coffee capital is most definitely well earned.

The city is packed with independent cafés and roasters, and we found the quality to be consistently high across the board.

From tiny espresso bars to larger neighbourhood cafés, there’s a strong focus on coffee made by top-notch baristas, with many places roasting locally.

Even if you aren’t into coffee, it’s worth stopping by Welly’s coffee shops to sip a matcha latte or tea, enjoy the vibe and watch the world go by.

18. Wander down boho Cuba Street

Oh so cool Cuba Street is one of the places to go in Wellington, and a great place to get a feel for the city’s creative, slightly offbeat side.

Largely pedestrianised through its central section, you’ll find vintage clothing stores sitting alongside record shops, bookshops and small galleries, while cafés and bar patrons spill out onto the pavement, serenaded by buskers.

Food is also a big part of the appeal. Cuba Street is packed with plenty of great spots to eat, covering everything from quick bites to fine dining, making it an easy place for a night out,

Whether watching the world go by with a glass of vino at 1154, getting a Mexican fix at Flying Fajita Brothers, pausing for a cocktail at Dees Place, or squeezing onto one of a handful of stools at nearby Taste of Home, we were constantly drawn to Cuba Street and the adjoining laneways and side streets throughout our stay.

This is a vibrant area for a night out; definitely one for the itinerary during your stay.

19. Eat your way through Wellington Harbourside Market

If you’re in Wellington on a Sunday, head down to the waterfront next to Te Papa where you’ll find food trucks, market stalls and a great vibe at the Harbourside Market.

There’s everything from fruit and veg and fresh bread to dumplings, pastries, coffee, juices and sweet treats. It makes the perfect spot to grab a casual breakfast or early lunch as you explore the waterfront and enjoy the views.

We were lucky to have great weather the day we visited, so we combined our market visit with a walk between the city and Oriental Bay. You can just as easily combine the market with a visit to a range of nearby attractions.

20. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Wellington Chocolate Factory

New Zealand does chocolate well. In fact, it’s home to Whittaker’s, our favourite chocolate in the world. Sadly, the Whittakers factory, located not far from Wellington, doesn’t run tours.

Fortunately, the Wellington Chocolate Factory does. Tucked away in a laneway not far from Cuba Street, this small, independent chocolate maker produces bean-to-bar chocolate on site, focusing on quality ingredients, ethical sourcing, and creatively yummy flavour combinations.

We visited a couple of times during our stay and loved that deliciously sweet chocolate aroma that hits you on arrival.

Inside you’ll find shelves packed with colourfully packaged bars and sweet treats showcasing both classic and inventive flavours. There’s also an on-site café if you prefer your chocolate hit in liquid form.

If you want to go beyond browsing the shopfront, there are a range of guided experiences on offer, covering everything from a chocolate history lesson to cocoa sourcing, flavour development, and hands-on choccy making.

Awesome Day Trips from Wellington

21. Hike the Paekākāriki Escarpment Track

One of our favourite day hikes near Wellington, the Paekākāriki Escarpment Track serves up epic views across the Kapiti Coast as you traverse a precariously narrow, exposed trail high on the foothills of the Tararua Range.

We started the hike from Pukerua Bay, passing through residential streets before hitting the trail proper.  You then walk alongside the train tracks for a couple of easy kilometres before the trail narrows and begins to climb more noticeably through tall grass as increasingly impressive coastal views open up.

Soon enough the walk gets more demanding as the long staircases the trail is known for start to challenge you.

We were jelly-legged by the time we reached the high point of the trail, having navigated steep climbs, two swing bridges and exposed sections of track clinging to the hillside.

Fortunately, the sweeping views out to Kapiti Island, and on clear days, distant glimpses of the South Island are enough to take your mind off the effort.

Eventually the track starts a long, gradual descent towards Paekākāriki. More forgiving terrain and a few short stretches of native bush provide some very welcome shade before the final stretch into town alongside the rail line.

I won’t sugarcoat it, we found this a reasonably tough hike. But the stunning views were well worth the effort, and it made the ice-cold IPA at Finn’s bar in Paekākāriki afterwards taste even better.

22. Search for birds (and views) on Kapiti Island

Sitting just offshore from the Kapiti Coast, this predator-free nature reserve offers a rare chance to encounter some of New Zealand’s native birdlife in a wonderfully pristine setting.

Access to Kapiti Island is tightly managed to help preserve its fragile ecosystem. There are a range of excellent options for visiting, from self-guided half day trips, to fully guided day tours, and overnight stays in an island lodge with night tours in search of the shy, nocturnal kiwi.

Our self-guided half day trip started with a fascinating introductory talk covering the island’s history and ongoing conservation efforts. We then set out on foot to explore the 5km Okupe Valley Loop Track.

While I wouldn’t say it was teeming with birds (we encountered many more birds at Zealandia), it is nevertheless a lovely walk, with awesome views over the rugged island coastline and towards Mount Taranaki from the Western Lookout.

We did manage to spot Kakariki, wood pigeon, black swans, popokotea, lots of tui, piwakawaka, korimako, hihi, weka, and a pair of what we think were harrier hawks.

With no shops or roads, and very few people, Kapiti Island is a great option to escape the city for a while and enjoy the natural environment.

23. Explore Hutt Valley’s walks and parks

The Hutt Valley stretches inland along the Hutt River toward the foothills of the Tararua Range to the northwest of Wellington. It’s well-connected by both road and rail, and packed with accessible green spaces, forested walks and viewpoints, making it an ideal area to escape the city.

Perhaps one of the most popular spots in the valley is Kaitoke Regional Park, best known to Lord of the Rings fans as Rivendell. Even on the rainy day we were here, the native forest, riverside swimming spots and walking tracks were beautiful.

Nearby Remutaka Hill Summit offers expansive views back toward Wellington, while hikers and bikers will find a range of options, including Tane’s Track, the Korokoro Dam Track, Remutaka Rail Trail, and the ridgeline walks through Belmont Regional Park.

Close to the city and refreshingly green, the Hutt Valley is well worth adding to your Wellington itinerary if you have the time to get here.

24. Go wine tasting in Martinborough

We don’t need much of an excuse to go wine tasting, and with the Wairarapa Wine Region just a couple of hours’ drive from Wellington, a visit here was a fait accompli!

At the heart of the region sits Martinborough, a super-cute wine town that has built an international reputation for pinot noir since the late 1970s.

There are a number of very good cellar doors clustered close to the town centre, making it easy to enjoy a few tastings on foot or by bike.

We spent a very happy afternoon wandering between wineries, sampling some excellent pinot noir, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, Syrah, and couple of red blends, with the wines at Ata-Rangi probably being the pick of the bunch.

We wrapped up the day with a drink in the historic Martinborough Hotel, and one of the best meals we’ve had on the North Island at the Cool Change Bar and Eatery. The staff here were outstanding.

Whether you spend a few hours sampling wines or want to make a weekend of it, a trip to Martinborough is probably one of the most popular day trips from Wellington and provides an excellent addition to any Wellington Itinerary.

25. Discover the beaches of the Kapiti Coast

During our extended Wellington visit, we were lucky enough to explore the Kapiti Coast on short trips over several days. However, if you’re only in town for a short stay, it’s still possible to cover the best spots in a single day.

Stretching north from Paekākāriki to Ōtaki, the coast is lined with long sandy beaches, quiet seaside towns, and expansive views out to Kapiti Island.

Paekākāriki and Raumati are popular first stops, with relaxed promenades and good swimming on calmer days. Paraparaumu Beach offers expansive sands and the best views of Kapiti Island.

Further north, places like Waikanae and Ōtaki beaches feel quieter and less touristy. We loved walking along the seemingly endless sands of Waikanae Beach with only driftwood and a few dog walkers for company.

Wherever you decide to stop, you’ll find wide, mostly uncrowded stretches of sand and plenty of open space to walk, picnic or simply sit and watch the weather roll across the Tasman Sea.

Planning a Trip to Wellington

How long do I need?

We’ve spent a fair bit of time in Wellington and were lucky enough to have the luxury of ticking off our bucket list of attractions at a relaxed pace.

If your time is more constrained, you can still cover most of the main things to see in Wellington – like Mount Victoria, Te Papa, the historic cable car, the waterfront, a beach or two, and a craft beer or three – over the course of a long weekend.

With a few more days you could explore more broadly, with visits to Zealandia and Wētā Workshop, plus a hike or two, like the Skyline Walkway or Red Rocks.

If you have a week in Wellington, your options really open up. Not only will you have the time to manage activities around the notoriously fickle weather, but you should also be able to explore beyond the city on day trips to places like the Kapiti Coast, Hutt Valley, Martinborough wine region, or the Escarpment Track.

So in a nutshell, it’s possible to have a fantastic visit to Wellington over a couple of days, but it’s best suited to a longer stay if you can afford the time.

Best time to visit Wellington

It’s impossible to talk about Wellington without acknowledging the weather. It’s not called the windy city for nothing, and its location in the path of the southern hemisphere’s roaring forties wind belt, combined with its location on the Cook Strait between the North and South islands ensures it ranks among the windiest cities in the world.

While we had days here when the wind could literally stop you in your tracks, and would have blown furniture off our deck had it not been strapped down, you shouldn’t let this put you off visiting.

In fact, we’ve been here in Spring and Summer where, for the most part, we had excellent weather, despite intermittent windy days and the occasional storm.

As a general rule, Summer (between December and February) is the best time to visit Wellington, when you can rely on more consistent, mild (rather than hot) weather. It’s a great time for hiking and beaches, and generally exploring the great outdoors.

The shoulder seasons of Spring (September to November) and Autumn (March to May) are also pretty decent. You’ll still get plenty of clear days, with fewer crowds and a more relaxed feel.

Winter in Wellington (June to August) is apparently a fairly blustery affair and, with the wind chill, can feel pretty cold. However, we’d love to come back to experience this time of year, and make the best of cheaper stays and fewer people.

Getting to Wellington

Despite being one of the more remote capital cities we’ve visited, Wellington is well-connected by air, road, rail and even sea from the South Island.

You can fly directly to Wellington from Australia and within New Zealand, however many international visitors will find themselves transiting in Auckland.

The airport is just a short drive southeast of the city, but as we were arriving late at night, we opted for a transfer with Super Shuttle to take us to our hotel. It’s an affordable, well organised shared mini-van service that you can book here.

If you’re travelling overland within the North Island, Wellington sits at the southern end of State Highway 1 and is well-connected for travel by car, or intercity buses from places like Auckland, Taupō and Napier.

The city is also the southern terminus of the Northern Explorer, a long-distance rail service linking Wellington with Auckland. It’s a scenic journey that passes through Tongariro National Park, past Mount Ruapehu, through the Waikato region and along the Kapiti Coast. You can book tickets here.

Wellington is also the gateway to or from New Zealand’s South Island by ferry, with Interislander and Bluebridge running regular daily services. The crossing takes around 3 to 4 hours and is a popular alternative to flying. You can book ferry tickets between the North Island and South Island here.

Getting around Wellington

Thanks to its relatively compact size, Wellington is a remarkably easy city to get around, with decent public transport and pedestrian infrastructure.

It’s a very walkable city, as long as you don’t mind the odd hill, and many of the main places of interest are easily visited on foot.

Public transport is reliable and easy to use. Contactless payment for public transport is due to roll out sometime in 2026, but in the meantime, you need to get a Snapper card from a post office, train station or retailer around town. You can use the card to travel on buses and trains anywhere in the city and surrounds.

Just remember to always tap on and off, and keep your balance topped up using vending machines or via the companion app. Don’t be tempted to travel without sufficient credit, we had our ticket inspected every single time we used the train.

Taxis, rideshares, e-bikes and e-scooters are also widely available, giving you plenty of flexibility to move around Wellington at your own pace.

Driving in Wellington

While you don’t really need a car to visit sites around the city, having a car in Wellington can be quite handy if you want to take day trips from Wellington up the coast, to the Hutt Valley, or to nearby towns like Martinborough.

We found highways and local roads to be well-maintained, and for the most part – compared to home at least – we found kiwi drivers to be incredibly courteous (despite what locals were telling us).

Driving in and around the centre of Wellington isn’t much different from driving in any city. Roads can get pretty clogged with traffic during peak commuting periods, and parking can be hard to find.

There are a handful of parking garages and car lots around town, but you’ll also find paid, on-street parking in some areas. Be sure to pay attention to parking signs and watch out for coupon parking zones. You can park up to 2 hours in these zones for free, but if you stay longer, you’ll need a valid coupon, which can be purchased using the PayMyPark app, or at council service desks and selected retailers.

Wellington car rental

You can’t beat the convenience of having your own wheels if you’re visiting Wellington for a bit longer and want to explore the outskirts of the city and beyond.

While the public transport network is good, and there are some excellent options for day tours, being able to stop where you want, when you want, and explore some of the harder to reach spots was a highlight of our visit.

As we were visiting for a longer duration and combining our Wellington stay with a road trip loop around the North Island, we organised our Wellington car rental through DiscoverCars.

Where to stay in Wellington

Wellington is compact, hilly and very walkable, which makes choosing where to stay quite straightforward. Most visitors base themselves in or around the CBD, where you’re within easy reach of the waterfront, Cuba Street, Te Papa, restaurants and public transport.

The city’s accommodation scene is dominated by hotels and serviced apartments, with a smaller number of boutique options and well-located B&Bs and motels in nearby suburbs. We found the price-to-quality ratio to be pretty decent for the most part, and felt like there was plenty of choice at every price point.

If it’s your first visit, looking for places to stay in Wellington that are close to the centre makes the most sense. But if you want a more local experience, suburbs like Oriental Bay, Thorndon, Khandallah or Lyall Bay offer a quieter feel while still being well-connected.

We stayed at Trinity Hotel on Willis Street just west of the CBD on our first visit to Wellington. While we didn’t have much of a view, our room was clean, quiet and comfortable, with all the facilities you’d want. The location was perfect for walking to Cuba Street or the waterfront, and the rooftop bar gets a good rap, although sadly we didn’t get time to enjoy it.

We’ve also stayed on the eastern side of the city at the Apollo Lodge. It’s conveniently located on Majoribanks Street, which is a starting point for a walk up Mount Victoria. We loved the comfortable, spacious rooms here, super friendly staff, and free parking for our car. It’s an easy walk to the city and waterfront, with plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants nearby.

Other Wellington stays that get consistently good reviews include:

• Good value: Ramada by Wyndham – comfortable, modern rooms and apartments with kitchenettes | decent soundproofing | great central location | easy walk to Cuba Street and the waterfront
• Good value: The Cobbler Hotel – small, boutique-style hotel | central location near Courtenay Place | well-designed, quiet rooms with kitchenette | friendly service
• Mid-range: Adina Citylife Wellington – comfortable, spacious serviced apartments | kitchen and laundry facilities | centrally located near cable car | close to everything | great option for a longer stay
• Mid-range: Naumi Studio Wellington – very cool boutique hotel | stylish, comfortable rooms | quirky, modern interiors | popular with couples | decent onsite bar | central location at the top end of Cuba Street
• Spend a bit more: InterContinental Wellington – one of Wellington’s best hotels | large, well-appointed rooms | excellent soundproofing | prime CBD location near the waterfront | harbour and city skyline views | facilities include restaurants, lounge bar, pool and spa
• Spend a bit more: Ohtel Wellington – stylish, intimate boutique hotel | waterfront setting in Oriental Bay | superb service | generous, tasty breakfast | easy access to beaches and coastal walks.