Things to do in Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington, New Zealand - also referred to by locals as 'New Zealand's coolest little capital' - and to be honest, we get it. It's a city that, despite being relatively small by capital city standards, is just straight up full of good vibes. Whether it's a walk around the picturesque harbour, sampling brews in one of the finest craft beer bars around, or wandering Cuba street in search of designer vintage, there truly is something for everyone. And we're here to show you the very best bits, so lets check out some of our favourite things to do in Wellington New Zealand.
- Ride the Wellington Cable Car
Hop aboard Wellington's iconic cable car; a stunning red contraption that's been operating since 1902. Yes, sure, it's a practical way to combat those infamous Wellington slopes, but more importantly, it's a way to get quite possibly the very best views of Wellington (without shaky post-hill legs to match!) For an adult it costs NZD$6.50 for one way, and NZD$12 for a return ticket. Other cable car perks include getting to go through multiple LED light tunnels until finally arriving at Wellington Botanic Gardens, another beautiful spot that is well worth a visit.
- Wander down Cuba Street
Cuba Street - in a way, the heart of Wellington. It's cool, bohemian, a little gritty, and full of top notch shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. It's not for everyone - mostly due to that aforementioned general grittiness, but to put it mildly - we are obsessed! Cuba Street highlights include vintage shopping (seriously, they are SO good here!), Wellington's infamous Bucket Fountain, and Iko Iko, which is hands down my favourite shops ever. One last thing about Cuba Street - if you're wondering about the name, it's named after the settler ship Cuba that arrived in 1840.
- Explore Oriental Bay
It would be impossible to miss Oriental Bay - after all, it is the enormous bay that Wellington itself sits in. On a sunny day, you can't get any better than Oriental, particularly when you stumble upon the gelato shop that sits right outside of Frank Kitts Park. Oriental Bay gives you access to so much general Wellington greatness - from the manmade beach, to the weekend Harbourside Market; a must-visit if you're seeking food carts, fresh fruit, vegetables, or even blooms. And the thing that we love about Oriental Bay is how truly and genuinely it is beloved by the locals. When the sun is out, you're bound to find Welligntonians making good use of the area, whether it be via running, rollerskating, dog walking, or even hiring one of Wellington's infamous crocodile bikes.
- Visit Te Papa, the National Museum
Yeah, yeah, we know - museums aren't everyone's cup of tea. But Te Papa? Well, that's a little different. Think of it like that iconic Mean Girls quote: "I'm not a regular museum, I'm a cool museum." And that is exactly what it is - a cool museum, possibly the coolest in the entire world. It's completely free for kiwis, and for international visitors it will cost NZ$35 if you're aged 16 and over. I can't emphasise how worth it it is though. Te Papa is an absolute MUST when you're visiting Wellington.
- Try out the Craft Beer Scene
Wellington is often known as New Zealand's craft beer capital, and well, it really does make complete sense. We didn't get to go to all of them, but we did visit Garage Project Wild Workshop and Fortune Favours. Both of these place offer experimental brews that you won't find anywhere else. Definitely worth a visit, particularly if you're keen on craft beers!
- Shop on Lambton Quay & the Old Bank Arcade
Lambton Quay is Wellington's main shopping street, home to both big brands and boutique stores. At the southern end, you'll find one of Wellington's most beautiful buildings, the Old Bank Arcade, a historic building that has been transformed into an elegant shopping spot. You can find all kinds of delectable boutiques here, as well as an underground food court. The whole building has been to so impressively restored and it even houses the old bank vaults deep within the basement.
- Experience Wellington coffee
In Wellington, coffee is almost like a religion. The coffee scene in Wellington is virtually unmatched and a flat white is a must try. You can go to basically any cafe in central Wellington for a great cup of coffee, ansd we love the way the entire city smells of roast coffee beans in the morning. Delicious!
- The Harbourside Market
Yes, we mentioned it earlier, but it's so good that it definitely needs it's own section! Every Sunday morning, from 7:30am-2:00pm in Summer, and 8:00am-1:00pm in Winter, you can find the Harbourside market. This is Wellington's oldest market; a place for great vibes, excellent food, and a stunning place to pick up your weekly greens and snacks to get you through.
All in all, there are endless reasons - and things to do in Wellington New Zealand. So don't wait - plan your next trip and pay a trip to New Zealand's stunning (and coolest!) little capital.