Things to see in Wellington

Museums & galleries

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

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.

Temples & religious sites

Sacred Heart Cathedral

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.

Zoos & aquariums

Wellington Zoo

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

Nature

Matiu / Somes Island

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.

Zoos & aquariums

Wellington Botanic Garden

Reachable by the Wellington Cable Car, this 25-hectare botanic garden is a relaxing place to stroll, taking in native forest, a rose garden, and sculptures along the way.

Temples & religious sites

St Mary of the Angels

A Catholic church in central Wellington, it's one of the city's most prominent churches. With a history dating back to 1874, it's a peaceful place to explore.

Museums & galleries

Wellington Museum

A museum at Queens Wharf on Wellington Harbour, housed in a former warehouse built in 1892. Recognized as one of the world's leading museums, it offers rich, well-curated exhibits.

Temples & religious sites

Futuna Chapel

Futuna Chapel is a chapel in Wellington designed by New Zealand architect John Scott. It's a popular stop for travelers interested in architecture.

Museums & galleries

Zealandia

Zealandia is an ecological sanctuary in central Wellington, the world's first fenced urban sanctuary of its kind. Across 225 hectares of forest, you can see New Zealand's native wildlife making a comeback.

Culture & venues

Opera House

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.

Temples & religious sites

Old St Paul's

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

Views & landmarks

Majestic Centre

The Majestic Centre is one of Wellington's tallest skyscrapers, located on Willis Street. The 29-story tower is a landmark that defines the city's skyline.

Parks & gardens

Te Ngākau Civic Square

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.

Temples & religious sites

Wellington Cathedral of St Paul

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

Nature

Mākaro / Ward Island

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.

Museums & galleries

City Gallery Wellington

City Gallery Wellington is a public art museum in downtown Wellington showcasing a range of contemporary art. It's an easy, casual stop for a stroll through the city.

Museums & galleries

Te Pātaka Toi Adam Art Gallery

An art gallery located on the Kelburn campus of Victoria University of Wellington. It's a nice stop for a casual look at exhibitions while strolling the campus.

Culture & venues

St James Theatre

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.

Views & landmarks

Pencarrow Head Lighthouse

Pencarrow Head Lighthouse stands at Pencarrow Head in the Wellington region. No longer operational, it remains preserved in its original form and is a great stop on a coastal walk.

Nature

Mokopuna Island

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

Temples & religious sites

St Gerard's Church and Monastery

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.

Nature

Mount Kaukau

Mount Kaukau rises in Wellington's northern suburbs, with summit views spanning the city center and harbour to the Remutaka and Tararua ranges. On clear days, the Kaikoura Ranges are visible in the distance, making it a popular lookout.

Museums & galleries

Katherine Mansfield Birthplace

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.

Nature

Evans Bay

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.

Culture & venues

Embassy Theatre

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.

Parks & gardens

East Harbour Regional Park

East Harbour Regional Park stretches along Wellington Harbour's eastern coast to Baring Head, bordering the Eastbourne area. It's a great place for a coastal walk surrounded by nature.

Attraction

Carter Observatory

An observatory located at the highest point of the Wellington Botanic Garden. It's a great place to experience stargazing and observe the night sky.

Nature

Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River

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.

Heritage & monuments

Wrights Hill Fortress

An underground fortress in Wellington's Karori area, built as a coastal gun battery in the early 1940s. Tunnels linking the guns and ammunition stores run deep underground, offering a unique wartime site to explore.

Nature

Lake Kohangapiripiri

A freshwater lake in East Harbour Regional Park east of Wellington Harbour, formed when an earthquake reshaped the land. Fed by Cameron Stream, it sits alongside a larger neighboring lake and makes for a peaceful spot to enjoy nature.

Temples & religious sites

St Joseph's Church, Mt Victoria

A Catholic church in Mount Victoria, Wellington, located east of Basin Reserve and opened in 2004. Visitors can explore its modern worship space.

Views & landmarks

Matiu / Somes Island Lighthouse

This lighthouse stands at the tip of Matiu/Somes Island in Wellington Harbour, guiding ships safely along their route. First built in 1866, it's one of New Zealand's oldest harbour lighthouses and offers fine views over the harbour.

Temples & religious sites

St John's Church, Wellington

St John's Church stands on Willis Street in Wellington, built on the site of an earlier church that burned down in 1885. It's a historic building of significant heritage value.

Museums & galleries

Petone Settlers Museum

A local history museum in Petone, near Wellington, housed in a building built to mark the centenary of the Wellington province's founding. It opened in 1977 and took on its current form after a 2016 renovation.

Heritage & monuments

Karori Cemetery

Karori Cemetery in Wellington is New Zealand's second-largest cemetery, opened in 1891. It's the resting place of several notable figures and offers a quiet space for walking, jogging, and exploring history.

Heritage & monuments

New Zealand Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

Located within the National War Memorial on Buckle Street in Wellington, this memorial honors an unknown soldier who died in war. It's a quiet place to pay respects and reflect on history.

Nature

Worser Bay

A quiet sandy beach near Seatoun on Wellington's Miramar Peninsula. A road and beachside facilities line the hill, making it a pleasant spot for a walk or a rest.

Zoos & aquariums

Ōtari-Wilton's Bush

A botanic garden and forest reserve in Wellington's Wilton neighborhood, the only public garden in New Zealand dedicated solely to native plants. Visitors can wander through more than 100 hectares of native forest and take in the scenery.

Culture & venues

Michael Fowler Centre

The Michael Fowler Centre is a concert hall and convention center built on reclaimed land next to Wellington's Civic Square, regarded as the city's leading venue for performances. It's named after the mayor who led its construction.

Nature

HMNZS Wellington

A frigate originally belonging to the British Royal Navy, transferred to the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1982. After decommissioning, it was scuttled in 2005 and now attracts many divers as a wreck site.

Nature

Waiwhetū Stream

A stream that flows through eastern Hutt Valley and out into Wellington Harbour. Walking along its banks offers a quiet escape amid the city.