World by City

3 nights, 4 days

Wellington 4-Day Itinerary (3 Nights)

A 4-day route through Wellington grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Distances are straight-line, so actual transit times will differ. Feel free to reorder the stops. · Updated August 15, 2026

The whole route at a glance

Map and place data © OpenStreetMap contributors Lines are straight connections, not actual routes.

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4

Share this itinerary with your travel buddies

Download KML (Google My Maps)

The Story image is 9:16 portrait, ready for Instagram Stories and Pinterest. Import the KML into Google My Maps to get every pin and route.

1

DAY 1

Around Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa · Museums & galleries·Culture & venues

Directions in Google Maps
  1. Morning
    Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

    Museums & galleries

    The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the country's national museum, located on Cable Street in Wellington. It brings New Zealand's history and culture together under one roof.

  2. After lunch
    St James Theatre

    Culture & venues · 0.3 km from the previous stop

    A large performance venue on Courtenay Place in central Wellington, home to the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Built in 1912, the theatre still hosts a wide range of performances today.

  3. Afternoon
    Opera House

    Culture & venues · 0.3 km from the previous stop

    The Opera House is a theatre on Manners Street in Wellington, facing Te Aro Park. It's a great venue for enjoying New Zealand's leading stage performances.

  4. Evening
    Te Ngākau Civic Square

    Parks & gardens · 0.3 km from the previous stop

    A square located between downtown Wellington and the Te Aro entertainment district, a good place to pause while getting around the city. It's an open space right in the heart of downtown.

2

DAY 2

Around Sacred Heart Cathedral · Temples & religious sites·Museums & galleries

Directions in Google Maps
  1. Morning
    Sacred Heart Cathedral

    Temples & religious sites

    Sacred Heart Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral on Hill Street in Wellington, serving as the seat of the Archdiocese of Wellington. It's close to the New Zealand Parliament Buildings, making it easy to combine both on a walking tour.

  2. After lunch
    Wellington Cathedral of St Paul

    Temples & religious sites · 0.1 km from the previous stop

    An Anglican cathedral in Wellington's Thorndon district, near the Parliament Buildings. It's a peaceful place to explore the chapel.

  3. Afternoon
    Old St Paul's

    Temples & religious sites · 0.2 km from the previous stop

    Consecrated in 1866, this historic Wellington church stands in the Pipitea district near Parliament. It showcases colonial-era Gothic Revival architecture.

  4. Evening
    Katherine Mansfield Birthplace

    Museums & galleries · 0.7 km from the previous stop

    The childhood home and garden of Katherine Mansfield, one of New Zealand's foremost writers. Located in the Thorndon neighborhood of Wellington, it's a heritage-listed building open for visits.

3

DAY 3

Around Wellington Zoo · Zoos & aquariums·Nature

Directions in Google Maps
  1. Morning
    Wellington Zoo

    Zoos & aquariums

    A zoo set in the green hills above downtown Wellington, opened in 1906. With its long history, it's a favorite among families.

  2. After lunch
    Evans Bay

    Nature · 2.3 km from the previous stop

    Evans Bay is a bay in Wellington Harbour, located between the Miramar Peninsula and Hataitai. Once home to an international flying boat terminal, it's now a great spot for a peaceful waterfront walk.

  3. Afternoon
    Embassy Theatre

    Culture & venues · 2.5 km from the previous stop

    A theatre at the eastern end of Courtenay Place in Wellington, at the foot of Mount Victoria. Opened in 1924, it has been renovated several times and still operates as a cinema today.

  4. Evening
    St Gerard's Church and Monastery

    Temples & religious sites · 0.6 km from the previous stop

    This church and monastery sit atop Mount Victoria in Wellington and are considered one of the city's landmark sights. Recognized for their historical value, they have been registered as a heritage site.

4

DAY 4

Around Matiu / Somes Island · Nature

Directions in Google Maps
  1. Morning
    Matiu / Somes Island

    Nature

    Matiu/Somes Island lies in the northern part of Wellington Harbour and is the largest of the harbour's three islands, covering about 25 hectares. It sits 3 km south of Petone and the mouth of the Hutt River.

  2. After lunch
    Mokopuna Island

    Nature · 0.8 km from the previous stop

    A small, uninhabited island in Wellington Harbour. It sits just north of the larger Matiu/Somes Island, across a narrow strait.

  3. Afternoon
    Mākaro / Ward Island

    Nature · 4.8 km from the previous stop

    One of the small islands in Wellington Harbour, located at the southern tip of the North Island. It's a great spot to enjoy the scenery while sailing across the harbour.

  4. Evening
    Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River

    Nature · 7.1 km from the previous stop

    This river flows through the southern North Island, rising in the Tararua Range and running 56 km to form the fertile plains of Kaitoke, Upper Hutt, and Lower Hutt. It's a pleasant place for a riverside walk amid nature.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Around Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the anchor of day one. Staying here keeps your first day's travel shortest.

Check prices and availability on the booking sites.

More stays in Wellington →

Check flights to Wellington first

Pick a departure airport and date to jump straight to results for Wellington Airport (WLG).

View on Compare flights

Check fares and seat availability on the flight search site.

Tours & tickets for this itinerary

Popular sights often sell out on the day. Once your plan is set, secure tickets and tours in advance.

GetYourGuide GetYourGuide 클룩 Klook Tiqets Tiqets KKday KKday WeGoTrip WeGoTrip

Other itineraries

2 nights, 3 days

Wellington 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)