Wellington Travel Guide

1. See Old St. Paul’s

Built in 1865, this cathedral is an excellent example of colonial Gothic architecture. Constructed entirely from native timbers, the glowing and ornate interior is lined by stunning stained glass. Join a guided tour and learn about the wonderful (and sometimes quirky) past of the church and its place in Wellington’s journey from a colony to an independent nation. Entry is by donation, and they also offer cheap guided tours.

2. Visit Wellington Zoo

The zoo opened in 1906, making it New Zealand’s oldest zoo. It’s home to animals from Africa and Asia as well as native wildlife like emus, dingos, and all kinds of snakes. It’s a not-for-profit charitable trust and they do a ton of conservation work. There are daily talks where you can learn about the different animals at the zoo. There’s also an option to book a Close Encounter that lets you accompany a Zoo Keeper to get up close to animals like capybaras, snow leopards, sun bears, giraffes, and more.

3. Relax in the Wellington Botanic Garden

Spanning over 25 hectares (60 acres), this is a nice place to picnic or take an afternoon walk, surrounded by native and international species. Ride the cable car from Lambton Quay for a quick five-minute trip to the top or just walk up to the gardens. You’ll be met with sprawling views, colorful flowers, lawns to hang out in, and pretty much everything you need to have a great day outside. Entry is free.

4. Visit Weta Workshop

Weta Workshop is an Academy Award-winning props and special effects studio based in New Zealand (it’s named after the weta, one of the world’s largest insects that’s endemic to the country). Learn about the behind-the-scenes magic of Lord of the Rings, King Kong, District 9, and countless other films. You can even take the Weta Workshop Experience tour. You can also take tons of different classes, including special effects makeup, sculpting, armor-making, and miniature-making (these classes occur less frequently, so be sure to plan ahead if you’re set on one).

5. Stroll along Cuba Street

Nestled in the CBD, Cuba Street is a colorful, pedestrian-only street filled with unique and independent shops, fun bars, and quirky cafes. There are also vintage shops and art galleries in the mix, making it a funky, eclectic spot to spend an afternoon. With benches all around, it’s a great place for people watching too. Street entertainers play music, put on funky marionette shows, do fire dances, and more. Be sure to snap a photo at Bucket Fountain, too (it’s literally a fountain made of multi-colored buckets).

6. See Wrights Hill Fortress

This circular artillery embankment was built in the early 1940s and is made up of long underground tunnels. Completed in the final years of World War II, the fort was meant to house three guns (although only two were ever installed). Although the base never saw any action during the war, both of the guns were fired in the years following (they could shoot shells up to 30 kilometers/18 miles). Today the fortress has been restored and officially named a historic landmark. TV shows and movie scenes are often shot here, as were sound effects for the dwarven tunnels from the Fellowship of the Ring. On certain holidays, the tunnels are opened to visitors for a small fee.

7. See the Carter Observatory

This planetarium is located in Space Place near the Botanic Gardens. Head out in the evening for some stargazing or pop in during the day for various displays about the cosmos. They have interactive galleries and multimedia exhibits that tell you the stories associated with the skies of New Zealand. The exhibits are fascinating, especially the one on Maori starlore, as well as a neat gift shop. Your admission ticket also includes a show inside the planetarium.

8. Visit Nga Taonga Sound & Vision (New Zealand Film Archive)

First established in 1981, this audiovisual library has a collection of over 800,000 items dating back to 1895, including 30,000 movies. What makes this place particularly awesome is that many of the movies can be seen free of charge on a big screen! Film screenings and talks are usually cheap, and some are free, so be sure to check in advance. You can also browse the collection online and even view some pieces that way.

9. Wander Zealandia

This world-renowned nature conservatory covers more than 225 hectares (500 acres) of land just west of Wellington. The Zealandia project is aiming to return the area to what it was like before humans arrived in New Zealand (it’s named after the submerged land mass of Zealandia, of which New Zealand is a part). You can see (and hear!) kiwis, saddlebacks, kakas, and hihis in their natural habitats while strolling the paths. You can purchase a general admission ticket or a two-hour tour with professional guides. They also have guided tours at night.

10. See the Paddy the Wanderer Fountain

This fountain is a memorial to Paddy, arguably Wellington’s most famous and beloved dog. This remarkable dog wandered the wharf and beyond, riding on ships throughout the country and to Australia. He was even said to have flown in a small two-seater airplane! Paddy became well-known by the locals as he wandered the city on his own, and was so popular that taxi drivers would drive him around and tram drivers would pick him up. When he died in 1939, hundreds of people came out to mourn him. In 1945, money was raised for his memorial: a water fountain for humans and dogs alike.