Wellington

Travel Guide
Mount Victoria Lookout showing night scenes, a bay or harbor and mountains

Wellington Travel Guide Video

New Zealand’s capital city relishes the good life with its natural beauty, arts, culture and thriving movie industry.

Wellington is the planet’s southernmost capital city. It lies on the shores of a large harbor and is surrounded by wooded hills.

According to Māori legend the explorer Kupe discovered Wellington Harbor in A.D. 925. The first European settlers arrived in 1840 and named the settlement after the first Duke of Wellington. It became New Zealand’s capital city in 1865.

For many years Wellington was off the tourist radar. Overshadowed by Auckland, the city served merely as a gateway for those taking a ferry to South Island. But that has changed and Wellington has been called the "coolest little capital in the world." This reputation comes from, among other things, the city’s diverse arts and cultural activities, and its global reputation as a movie-making powerhouse. Sometimes referred to as “Wellywood,” Wellington’s multimillion-dollar sound stages, studios and special effects houses have attracted big-budget movies such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Avatar.

Get acquainted with the city at the waterfront area where there are a number of star attractions, including Te Papa. This is New Zealand’s national museum and an excellent introduction to Wellington and the country. Nearby is the Museum of Wellington City and Sea, which covers the city’s development and maritime traditions.

Wellington benefits from having both the ocean and the countryside on its doorstep. Go on walking trails in the hills or take it easy at Oriental Bay Beach, the closest beach to the city.

One of the city’s oldest and most popular attractions is the Wellington Cable Car. Hop aboard a car for the eight-minute ride up the hill to Wellington Botanic Garden and the lookout at Kelburn. From there, take a free shuttle bus to Zealandia. This unique conservation project is trying to restore parts of the countryside to its pre-human state.

When it comes to nightlife Wellington has a plenty of restaurants, cafés, theaters and nightclubs. Being a compact city, many places are within an easy walking distance of each other.

Where to stay in Wellington

Wellington which includes kayaking or canoeing and interior views

Wellington CBD

Inner-city suburb boasting high-rise buildings and the financial heart of the region, Wellington Central offers access to Civic Square, Town Hall, Central Library, and the Wellington Cable Car.

Wellington CBD
Courtenay Place featuring a bar and interior views as well as a small group of people

Te Aro

4.5/5(150 area reviews)

Discover New Zealand's largest entertainment district, bustling with bars, clubs, theaters, and galleries. Explore Te Aro Park, the waterfront area, and Cuba Street's vibrant shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Te Aro
Default Image

Petone

4/5(14 area reviews)

Nestled between the Hutt River and Wellington Harbour, Petone boasts a sandy beach for family swimming and a historic main street with unique businesses. Explore the Petone Settlers Museum or stroll along the Hutt River.

Petone
Wellington showing a sunset, a bridge and a bay or harbor

Wellington Waterfront

The ample dining options and fascinating museums are top of the list for many visitors to Wellington Waterfront. A stop by Te Papa or TSB Bank Arena might round out your trip.

Wellington Waterfront
Wellington Zoo showing cuddly or friendly animals and zoo animals

Newtown

Experience a distinct character in this southern Wellington suburb, where you can visit Wellington Zoo or enjoy athletics and football at Newtown Park.

Newtown
Mount Victoria Lookout which includes a city, a bay or harbor and night scenes

Mount Victoria

If you're spending some time in Mount Victoria, Mount Victoria Lookout and Oriental Parade are top sights worth seeing.

Mount Victoria
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
4.5 out of 5
147 The Terrace, Wellington
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥12,751 per night from Nov 15 to Nov 16
¥12,751
¥14,664 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 15 - Nov 16
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Wellington. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,202 reviews)
"Hassle free location - with the elevator to Lambton Quay. Nice and tidy room, big enough for us for a weekend away."

Reviewed on Nov 10, 2024

James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
Rydges Wellington
Rydges Wellington
4.5 out of 5
75 Featherston St, Wellington
The price is ¥15,538 per night from Nov 17 to Nov 18
¥15,538
¥17,869 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 17 - Nov 18
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Wellington. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Overall 4/5 Disappointed No room service after 10pm"

Reviewed on Nov 9, 2024

Rydges Wellington
ibis Wellington
ibis Wellington
3.5 out of 5
153 Featherston St, Wellington
The price is ¥10,058 per night from Dec 1 to Dec 2
¥10,058
¥11,567 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 1 - Dec 2
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Wellington. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Centrally located, rooms modern and clean."

Reviewed on Nov 7, 2024

ibis Wellington
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Gilmer Apartment Hotel
Gilmer Apartment Hotel
3.5 out of 5
10 Gilmer Terrace, Wellington
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Wellington. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,169 reviews)
"We stayed 2 nights at this property. Unfortunately the elevator was not working so we had to walk up 3 flights of stairs. They did offer to take our bags up for us and gave us a free room upgrade. The room was smaller than some we have stayed in, but adequate and had everything we needed. Good supply ..."

Reviewed on Nov 9, 2024

Gilmer Apartment Hotel
Quest on Johnston
Quest on Johnston
4.5 out of 5
35 Johnston Street, Wellington
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Wellington. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,201 reviews)
"Our room was very nice, Lots of amenities. Bathroom was quite small and shower was tiny—when I bent over to pick up my comb my bum and head hit the walls! I was all excited to be able to do laundry, however my excitement was squashed when the machine didn’t work. Also, the hotel description says ..."

Reviewed on Nov 7, 2024

Quest on Johnston
Quest on Lambton
Quest on Lambton
3.5 out of 5
120 Lambton Quay, Wellington
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Wellington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (720 reviews)
"Handy location for a one night stay in central Wellington."

Reviewed on Nov 10, 2024

Quest on Lambton
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Wellington

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
177
" "5 - Excellent 63.44086021505376%
4 - Good
82
" "4 - Good 29.39068100358423%
3 - Okay
15
" "3 - Okay 5.376344086021505%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.35842293906810035%
1 - Terrible
4
" "1 - Terrible 1.4336917562724014%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Te Papa Museum and its Gallipoli Exhibition are must sees.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

really nice city and worth a 1.5 days visit

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

We utilized the Uber scooters. These were a EXCELLENT way to see a lot of the city in a short period of time. We had 1 free day in Wellington and used them the entire day. Had we walked that, we would have been exhausted before dinner.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very lively harbor area that has been revamped. Lots of music, bars, food.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked the museums and cable car and gardens

5/5 - Excellent

Becca

Super city, especially in the sunshine.

Cities near Wellington