Wellington, New Zealand - Travel Guide

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Plan a free trip to Wellington

Updated: 2026-09-28

Wellington, New Zealand's capital, is a vibrant city nestled between green hills and a sparkling harbor, offering a unique blend of culture, art, and nature. Visit to experience its thriving coffee scene, excellent museums, and breathtaking views.

Top things to do in Wellington

Things to do in Wellington include Te Papa Tongarewa - Museum of New Zealand, Mount Victoria Lookout, Cuba Street. Here are 15 places worth knowing, with a short note on each.

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A sample 3-day itinerary for Wellington

Here is what 3 days in Wellington look like when the planner builds them: stops grouped by proximity so no day doubles back, one full day at a time. The same route can be built for any length, from two days to a week.

Day 1

Stops
2
  1. 1
    Zealandia EcosanctuaryMuseum
    2.3 km
  2. 2
    Otari-Wilton's Bush Native Botanic GardenBotanical garden · Wilton
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Day 2

Stops
9
  1. 1
    Wellington Botanic GardenBotanical garden · Kelburn
    600 m
  2. 2
    Parliament BuildingsParliament building · Thorndon
    450 m
  3. 3
    Beehive - Parliament HouseThorndon
    1.1 km
  4. 4
    Wellington MuseumMaritime museum
    1 km
  5. 5
    Old St Paul'sHistoric building
    1.2 km
  6. 6
    Wellington Cable CarFunicular · Lambton Quay
    200 m
  7. 7
    Wellington WaterfrontWaterfront
    450 m
  8. 8
    Lambton QuayStreet · CBD
    950 m
  9. 9
    Space Place at Carter ObservatoryMuseum · Kelburn
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Day 3

Stops
8
  1. 1
    Mount Victoria LookoutNeighbourhood · Mount Victoria
    500 m
  2. 2
    Oriental BayNeighbourhood · Oriental Bay
    1 km
  3. 3
    Courtenay PlaceCourtenay Place
    500 m
  4. 4
    National War Memorial and Pukeahu National War Memorial ParkMonument · Mount Cook
    3.2 km
  5. 5
    Wellington ZooZoo · Newtown
    4.9 km
  6. 6
    Scorching BayBay
    4.5 km
  7. 7
    Te Papa Tongarewa - Museum of New ZealandNational museum · Waterfront
    550 m
  8. 8
    Cuba StreetStreet · Cuba Quarter
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This is an example. The planner builds a different route for your dates, real opening hours, how you get around and your own preferences.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top things to do in Wellington?

Te Papa Tongarewa - Museum of New Zealand, Mount Victoria Lookout, Cuba Street, Wellington Cable Car, Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, Wellington Waterfront and 9 more. Te Papa Tongarewa - Museum of New Zealand: A modern and interactive national museum showcasing New Zealand's unique history, culture, and nature, suitable for the whole family.

What can you do in 3 days in Wellington?

Day 1: Zealandia Ecosanctuary, Otari-Wilton's Bush Native Botanic Garden. Day 2: Wellington Botanic Garden, Parliament Buildings, Beehive - Parliament House, Wellington Museum. Day 3: Mount Victoria Lookout, Oriental Bay, Courtenay Place, National War Memorial and Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.

Which areas should you explore in Wellington?

The itinerary for Wellington runs through Wilton, Kelburn, Thorndon, Lambton Quay, Waterfront and CBD.

Which museums are worth visiting in Wellington?

Museums worth visiting in Wellington: Te Papa Tongarewa - Museum of New Zealand (Waterfront), Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne (Karori), Zealandia Ecosanctuary, Wellington Museum and Space Place at Carter Observatory (Kelburn).

What parks and gardens are there in Wellington?

Parks and gardens in Wellington: Wellington Botanic Garden (Kelburn) and Otari-Wilton's Bush Native Botanic Garden (Wilton).

Destinations near Wellington

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