Wellington is a place that many people don’t spend much time in when traveling around New Zealand. They have no idea what they’re missing out on! 

A lot of travelers pass through when they’re catching the ferry from North Island to South Island. But there are so many amazing things to do in Wellington that it’s definitely worth spending a few days here – or more if you’ve got the time.

Whatever type of vacation you’re planning, you’ll never be stuck for what to do in Wellington. Whether you want to see the city’s fascinating historical landmarks, go hiking surrounded by stunning nature, take a peek behind the scenes to improve your movie knowledge, or immerse yourself in the thriving local food scene, you’ll have a fantastic time exploring the Windy City.

With so many things to see and do, you might not know where to begin. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the absolute best things to do in Wellington. Stick to these fun and unique Wellington bucket list recommendations, and there’s no doubt you’ll have a fantastic time exploring this fascinating city!

15 Fun and Unique Things to do in Wellington, New Zealand

1. Visit the Mount Victoria Lookout

For the absolute best Wellington sightseeing opportunity, head to the Mount Victoria Lookout. If you’re feeling lazy, you can drive or ride a cab to the top. But if the weather’s nice and you’re up for a little bit of exercise, we suggest walking. There are two different paths to choose from.

The shorter option takes 45 minutes and starts at the top of Majoribanks Street. The longer option takes 90 minutes to complete and begins at Courtenay Place. Both paths are clearly marked, so you’ll know where to go. 

However you decide to get there, when you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular 360° views. From the top, you can see Hutt Valley, the eastern beaches, and the Miramar Peninsula. There’s also a fun arrow pointing in the direction of Antarctica.

The Mount Victoria Lookout is a wonderful place to watch the sunset. Pack a picnic and time your trip so you arrive just as the sun dips into the horizon and the city becomes illuminated with twinkling lights.

2. ride on the Wellington cable car

Exploring the city by cable car is one of the top Wellington activities. It starts at Lambton Quay and ends at Kelburn Lookout. 

This spot is almost 400 feet above sea level and is well-known for its dazzling city views. Looking around up here is an excellent way to get your bearings and find out where everything is in Wellington. The cable car ride takes just 5 minutes, so you’ve got plenty of time to squeeze it in.

After you’ve taken in the views, have a wander around. At the terminal station in Kelburn, you’ll find the Cable Top Eatery, which dishes up some incredible pizza and gelato. This restaurant also has a fantastic range of local craft beers and regular live music events. Check out the website to see what’s on during your visit. 

When you’ve had enough of being on top of the world, take a gentle walk back down the hill via the Botanic Gardens. 

3. Take it easy at the Wellington Botanic Gardens

When the sun is shining, spending a couple of hours at the Wellington Botanic Gardens is one of the top things to do in Wellington. This sprawling green space covers a whopping 25 hectares and is brimming with unique plant collections that have been rounded up from all over the world.

One of the oldest Wellington attractions, the gardens date all the way back to 1869. Back then, they were used by native Maori people for cultivating food. Today the gardens are a hugely popular tourist attraction that’s definitely worth visiting when you need a break from the more hectic attractions. 

The Wellington Botanic Gardens are divided into several different sections. The Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush part is one of the best. Here you’ll find 1,200 native plant species that have been collected from the mainland and the offshore islands. It’s hard to believe that almost all the plants in this section have been grown from seeds or cuttings. 

If you’re visiting between November and April, you’ve got to check out the Lady Norwood Rose Gardens. Here you’ll discover 110 flowerbeds filled with roses in full bloom.  

4. Go behind the scenes at the Wētā Workshop

Discover all the secrets that went into producing some of your favorite movies by taking a tour at the Academy Award-winning Wētā Workshop. Definitely one of the coolest things to do in Wellington, a day spent here will unveil all the special effects, magical props, and much more that transform an ordinary film into a phenomenal movie. 

On this guided tour you’ll get to see the props and costumes that are featured in the “Lord of the Rings” and “Chronicles of Narnia” movies. You’ll also get the chance to see the mini puppets from the “Thunderbirds Are Go” movie and even have your photo taken with the Tracy brothers. Your expert guide will tell you all about the special effects used in some of the biggest movies and show you the technology and the tools used at the workshop.

One of the best things about the Wētā Workshop is that it’s totally free to enter. But it’s really just a store with some impressive props on display, like a museum. For the best experience, you’ve got to sign up for one of the guided tours. 

Discover the Many Sides of Wētā Workshop

5. Try chili oil dumplings

When you need a break from all the exciting Wellington attractions, stop off at Rams’ Crazy Dumpling Restaurant on Cuba Street and order some chili oil dumplings. This hugely popular Asian restaurant has an excellent reputation throughout the city for its incredible dumplings.

Always made freshly to order, the wonderfully plump dumplings are served floating in a deliciously spicy and strikingly sour broth that’s generously sprinkled with hot chili oil. You can choose from a large range of fillings. 

If you want to keep it simple, we suggest sticking with pork, prawn, and chives. Or, if you’re in the mood for something a little out of the ordinary, order the dumplings stuffed with lamb and scallions. 

If you don’t have time to sit down to eat, you can place your order online and take it to go. But be warned – the chili oil can get a little messy, and you may find yourself wearing most of it if you’re not careful!

6. cycle along the Skyline Walkway

Cycling along the Skyline Walkway may sound a little confusing, but it really is the best way to follow this track. One of the best things to do in Wellington, the walkway is a staggering 8 miles long and takes around 6 hours to complete on foot. It takes just 1.5-2.5 hours to complete when you’re cycling. 

The route follows the Outer Green Belt onto Mount Kaukau, past the Crow’s Nest, Kilmister Tops, and Johnston Hill. It’s important to know that there are no toilets or water facilities along the way, so you need to come prepared. If you don’t think you can complete it all at once, there are options to break the route down into shorter tracks. 

The Skyline Walkway is so popular because it rewards those brave enough to take on the challenge with remarkable coastal and city views. If the weather is fine, you may even be able to spot the Kaikoura mountain ranges, the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington Harbor, and the Orongorongo and Tararua mountain ranges. 

7. Hop from stage to stage at Homegrown

Planning on visiting in March? Then you’re just in time for one of the most fun things to do in Wellington – Homegrown. This epic music festival takes place each year during New Zealand’s summer and boasts five individual stages that are taken over by around 40 amazing acts.

Whether you’re into electronic, pop, rock, metal, reggae, hip hop, or drum ‘n’ base, you’ll get swept up with the incredible music performances and energy-filled vibe. As well as the live music, Homegrown also features fun carnival rides, more food and drink options than you can even count, and loads of cool interactive experiences. 

The phenomenal festival takes place on the Wellington Waterfront. Make the most of the incredible location and hang around as long as you can. Not only will you get to see the most incredible bands and artists, but you’ll also get to watch the sunset over the water.

8. Be amazed by the local wildlife

For some of the best sights in Wellington, head to Zealandia. This amazing nature reserve gives you the chance to get up close and personal with the famous kiwi bird, as well as a bunch of other cool creatures. Zealandia does an incredible job of protecting all kinds of native wildlife, such as the takariki, takahe, and tui.

As well as all the birds, Zealandia is also home to some out-of-the-ordinary reptiles, including the green gecko and tuatara. Sign up for the nature reserve’s 2-hour tour, and you’ll get to find out about how everything in the park works and the history of the fascinating residents that live there. You’ll also have the chance to stop by the feeding stations dotted throughout the park and spot all kinds of rare creatures snacking. 

There’s a superb gift shop on-site where you can buy models and stuffed animals of the creatures you saw at the park. You’ll also find the Rātā café, which is 100% worth visiting. The restaurant dishes up breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks, so no matter when you stop by, there’ll always be something for you. 

9. Seek out fur seals at the Red Rocks

The Red Rocks is where you’ll find some of the cutest things to see in Wellington. Whether or not you’re into animals, spotting adorable fur seals is something that’s guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings. The Red Rocks are a 30-minute drive from the center of the city, but the journey is more than worth it.

Every winter, the Red Rocks in Owhiro Bay see up to 300 fur seals appear. At this time of year, most of the seals are male and they travel to the rocks because they weren’t fortunate enough to breed with the females of the larger colonies on South Island. 

You’ll need to follow a loop hiking trail to spot the seals, which is around 4.5 miles long and takes about 4 hours to complete. It starts at a car park at the end of Wohiro Bay and ends at the beach at Sinclair Head. If you rent a 4WD, you can skip the hike and drive straight there. Just make sure you park far enough away so you don’t scare the seals. 

10. Eat like a Māori at Hiakai

For one of the most unique things to do in Wellington, make a reservation at Hiakai. This multi-award-winning restaurant specializes in Māori cuisine and offers a phenomenal experience that you’ll never find anywhere else. 

The restaurant started in 2016 as a simple pop-up place to explore Māori ingredients and cooking techniques. It became phenomenally popular and quickly transformed into a permanent restaurant.

Here you’ll get to choose from a number of boundary-pushing menus inspired by the land, sea, and people of New Zealand. You’ll get to try rare and delicious ingredients that hardly ever crop up on restaurant menus.

The drinks menu is just as spectacular as the food menu. Here you’ll find one-of-a-kind cocktails designed in-house, each with its own Hiakai twist. With the exception of Mexican mezcal, Portuguese port, and French champagne, all the beers, wines, and spirits are sourced locally. If you feel a little overwhelmed, you can choose one of the pairing options and have a drinks expert select your beverages for you. 

11. Learn about New Zealand’s heritage

Spending the day at Te Papa Tongarewa is one of the must-do things in Wellington. This engrossing museum is the place to go if you want to find out more about the captivating country, its compelling history, and its intriguing culture. It’s located in Wellington’s CBD, so it’s easy to work into your itinerary. 

The museum’s Māori name translates into English as “Container of Treasures,” which is a wonderful way to describe it. Inside you’ll discover countless artifacts with links to the local people. To help make sure New Zealand’s heritage and culture don’t disappear, the museum does a lot of work with native tribes that you can find out more about at the museum.

For a one-of-a-kind experience, we recommend signing up for this guided tour. You get early entry into the museum and can explore for 30 minutes before anyone else is even allowed in. 

Beat the crowds and head straight for the Explore Gallipoli Exhibition. It was designed with the help of the Wētā Workshop and features giant sculptures of New Zealand war heroes. They’re 2.4 times bigger than the average person and are incredible to see!

12. Be awe-struck by the Putangirua Pinnacles

Wellington isn’t exactly known for its beautiful natural landmarks, but the Putangirua Pinnacles are an exception. When you’re in the mood for a walk, one of the best things to do in Wellington is follow the Pinnacles Track. This is the easiest walking route that leads you to the stunning attraction. It’s around one mile long and takes about 45 minutes to complete. 

At the end of the trail, your efforts will be rewarded with the alien-like Putangirua Pinnacles. They’re pretty famous for featuring in the Paths of the Dead scene in “Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” The one-of-a-kind pinnacles are also known as earth pyramids and were formed more than 7 million years ago by heavy rain and flooding that forced the sediments of the Putangirua Stream to move. 

If you’re feeling energetic after your hike, you can carry on for even better views of Lake Onoke and Palliser Bay. Continue uphill from the lookout point until you reach the coast. This looped route takes 3-4 hours to complete, but it’s one of the top hikes in all of New Zealand and one of the best things to do in Wellington!

13. Discover the city’s boutique vineyards

A short train ride away from the center of the city will transport you to Martinborough, one of the best places in New Zealand for vineyards. This unassuming place is quickly becoming well-known internationally for its incredible wines, especially those made using Pinot Noir grapes.

So you can make the most of the delicious wines these boutique vineyards produce, we recommend driving or taking the train to Martinborough and then spending the night there. This cute European-inspired village is popular with local and overseas visitors and has a charming, welcoming vibe. 

Alternatively, sign up for this guided tour and let someone else do all the planning for you. This 5-hour tour takes you to three local vineyards where you’ll get to try the best wines that they produce. Te Keiranga, Hall Vineyard, and Poppies Martinborough are the vineyards you’ll stop at, each of which is absolutely stunning.

As an extra bonus, you’ll also get to stop by C’est Cheese for the chance to try some local cheeses and Stuart Macaskill Lakes viewpoint to snap some photos. 

14. Spend a Day at the Summer Festival

Checking out the Summer Festival is one of the best things to do in Wellington. This brand-new festival takes place on a single Saturday each year at the Basin Reserve and guarantees something for everyone. 

From stages where you’ll find some of the best artists you’ve ever heard to food trucks selling all kinds of weird and wonderful dishes, this festival is one you’ve absolutely got to attend if it’s happening during your trip.

An excellent choice for foodies, the Summer Festival caps its food menu items at $12NZD – that’s about $7.50USD. So even if you don’t have that much spare cash, you can still treat yourself. 

As well as some of New Zealand’s top performers taking to the stage, the dynamic festival also boasts cocktail, gin, and champagne bars where you can hang out if you want to feel a little classy. There are tables dotted all over the venue, so even if you don’t have a direct view of the stage, you’ll almost certainly be able to hear the artists play.

15. Order hot chocolate at Scopa

Visiting New Zealand in winter? When you need something to warm you up, head straight for Scopa and order one of their fabulous hot chocolates. While this place looks like a standard pizzeria from the outside, it’s best known for creating some of the most decadent and velvet-smooth hot chocolate in the world.

You can choose between regular hot chocolate, hot chocolate with coconut milk, or hot chocolate with liquor, each of which uses the standard hot chocolate recipe that’s truly out of this world. Scopa’s hot chocolate is so thick that you can literally stand a spoon in it.

It’s made with a combination of melted milk chocolate and heavy cream. The result is a luxurious thing that’s part dessert and part pure comfort. While there are several different sizes available, we recommend sticking with the small. The hot chocolate is so rich and chocolatey that a few sips are enough for even the most dedicated chocoholic.  

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Wellington. What’s your favorite thing to do in the Windy City? 

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