Things to see in Wellington
Attractions
Wellington Waterfront
Once the centre of Wellington's bustling port, the Wellington Waterfront is one of the city's most distinctive and attractive precincts. It is home to many bars and restaurants, as well as galleries and museums (including the wonderful Te Papa Tongarewa).
Address: , Wellington Waterfront, Wellington,Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website: http://www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nzAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand)
Te Papa (meaning 'Our Place' in Maori), the national museum of New Zealand, is located on Wellington's waterfront overlooking the picturesque harbour. The museum was opened to enable the people of New Zealand to learn more about their cultural identity and their country's geography and has attracted international acclaim for its ultra-modern and interactive displays. It occupies floor space measuring 36,000 sq m (387,513 sq ft) and houses many national artefacts, enabling visitors to learn about the art, history and natural environment of New Zealand. It also has several permanent exhibitions, including the Time Warp display, which allows visitors to travel back in time to New Zealand's prehistoric age. Don't miss it.
Address: Waterfront, 55 Cable Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 381 7000.
Opening times:
Daily 1000-1800.
Website: http://www.tepapa.govt.nzAdmission Fees:
No (except for special exhibitions).
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Space Place
Enjoy an outta this world experience at the Space Place at the Carter Observatory, which tells the stories of the southern skies through multi-media exhibits and a packed calendar of events. Located in the Botanic Garden, the attraction was refurbished in 2011 and features a state-of-the-art digital theatre, where visitors can experience a virtual journey through space. On late nights, the historic Thomas Cooke Telescope is available for star gazing.
Address: Kelburn, 40 Salamanca Road, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 910 3140.
Opening times:
Tues & Fri 1600–2300; Sat 1000-2300; Sun 1000-1530.
Website: http://www.museumswellington.org.nz/space-placeAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Weta Cave
Movie fans should visit Weta Cave, a mini-museum with some of the props, displays, sets and characters from blockbuster films made by Peter Jackson, the man behind The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The museum also enables visitors to get a glimpse of the creativity and brilliance behind a number of award-winning movies such as King Kong, Avatar, Tintin and District 9.
Address: Miramar, 1 Weka Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 909 4000.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-1730.
Website: http://www.wetanz.com/caveAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
National Tattoo Museum
A look at the rich history of traditional tattoos, or 'ta moko,' as well as more modern practices. Discover the spiritual, political and symbolic dimensions of body art throughout the Pacific, Asia and beyond, and more recent fashionable body adornment practices.
Address: , 187 Vivian Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 385 2185.
Opening times:
Mon-Thurs noon-1730; Fri-Sat noon-2000; Sun noon–1730.
Website: http://www.mokomuseum.org.nzAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Wellington Botanic Garden
Take the cable car from Lambton Quay and spend half a day exploring over 25 hectares (62 acres) of exotic forests, native bush, colourful floral displays and gorgeous gardens of the Wellington Botanic Garden. There are great views of the city from the top of the hill. Gardens are open daily sunrise to sunset.
Address: , 101 Glenmore Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 499 1400.
Opening times:
Dawn til dusk.
Website: http://wellington.govt.nz/recreation/gardens/botanic-gardenAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Wellington Zoo
The city's zoo is the oldest in the country (it opened in 1906) and is home to over 500 animals, including meerkats, red pandas, Malayan sun bears and Sumatran tigers. African, Asian and native wildlife (tuatara, kiwi, kea among them) are all well represented. There are incredible interactive animal experiences enabling visitors to get up close to cheetahs, lions, giraffes, red pandas and meerkats.
Address: Newtown, 200 Daniell Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 381 6755.
Opening times:
Daily 0930-1700.
Website: http://www.wellingtonzoo.comAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Zealandia
A short stroll from downtown Wellington, Zealandia is the place to spot some of New Zealand's rarest and most endangered endemic species and native birds, such as the little spotted kiwi, the stitchbird and the kaka. The attraction presents 80 million years of natural history, with engaging interactive features and films on a big screen. A must for wildlife lovers.
Address: Karori, 53 Waiapu Road, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 920 9213.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-1700.
Website: http://www.visitzealandia.comAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Parliament Buildings
A visit to the capital city would not be complete without stopping by New Zealand's beautifully refurbished Parliament Buildings, set in the historic suburb of Thorndon. The complex is made up of three architecturally distinctive buildings: the Edwardian neoclassical Parliament House, the Victorian gothic Parliamentary Library and the striking 1970s-style Beehive building.
Address: , 32 Molesworth Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 817 9503.
Opening times:
Visitor Centre: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; Sat-Sun 0930-1700.
Website: http://www.ps.parliament.govt.nzAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Old St Paul's
Constructed entirely of native timber in the mid-1850s, this 19th-century gothic revival church showcases stunning wooden arches and magnificent stained-glass windows. Various memorial items and displays tell the early history of Wellington. Tours by arrangement.
Address: Thorndon, 34 Mulgrave Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 473 6722.
Opening times:
Daily 0930-1700.
Website: http://www.historicplaces.org.nzAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Wellington i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
Address: , 111 Wakefield Street, Wellington,Telephone: +64 4 802 4860.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0830-1700; Sat-Sun 0900-1700.
Website: http://www.wellingtonnz.comTourist passes
The Wellington City Pass includes a return trip on the cable car and general admission to your choice of two venues - Zealandia, the Carter Observatory or Wellington Zoo. The pass also features shop, restaurant and other attraction discounts, plus the option of a hop-on, hop-off city tour.
