15 cool & unique things to do in Wellington
Get to know New Zealand’s cool little capital with these must-do activities.
Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, sits tucked alongside a stunning harbour at the very bottom of the North Island.
The small but mighty capital is famous for a vibrant arts and cultural scene, housing the nation’s government in a building adorably called ‘the Beehive’, and having an impressive number of cafes and craft beer breweries.
Wellingtonians put up with a lot when it comes to the weather — it’s almost always windy — but won’t stand for anything less than excellence when it comes to eating and drinking.
The result is a selection of stellar restaurants, bars, and coffee roasteries, with hole-in-the-wall eateries secreted away down narrow streets.
Compressed between the mountains and sea, Wellington is easily explored on foot and strolling the eclectic and lively streets is all part of the fun.
Wellington's magic isn’t just confined to the urban centre, though. The rugged coastline, bush covered hills, and nearby islands provide ample outdoor adventures.
Sometimes, if you’re lucky, nature even comes to the city — orcas are known to pop into the harbour, and kākā (native parrots) flit through the city’s trees.
There are so many things to do in Wellington, you could easily spend a week here. These are some of my favourite ways to spend time in New Zealand’s cool little capital.
A few quick facts about Wellington
The Beehive — possibly the cutest parliament building ever
Wellington is a relatively small city, home to only around 410,000 people (Auckland has a population of around 1.5 million).
Wellington is the seat of New Zealand’s parliament, and is where most government agencies are located.
Wellington is often referred to as the "Windy City." It experiences some of the strongest and most consistent winds of any city in the world due to its location between the North and South Islands and the surrounding topography.
The windy nature of the city can make flying in a nerve-racking experience, as the airport runway is right by the water and as the wind rattles the planes on the way down, landing seems very dodgy.
Another fun fact, Wellington is the southernmost capital city in the world, making it the closest capital to Antarctica.
The best things to do in Wellington
1. Explore the bohemian Cuba Street
You can’t visit Wellington without going for a stroll down Cuba Street, the bohemian heart of Wellington.
On this eclectic strip, you can browse vintage shops like Ziggurat, and Hunters and Collectors, or look for new vinyl at independent record stores.
Don’t forget to look out for the clanking bucket fountain, an icon of the city.
Cuba Street is also one of the great dining streets of Wellington city. This is where you’ll find local favourites like Scopa Pizzeria, Kisa, and Olive.
2. When in Wellington, drink coffee
Pour and Twist
When visiting Wellington, start your day like Wellingtonians do — with caffeine. Coffee culture is strong in the capital city, and locals take their morning brew seriously.
A popular spot for a caffeine fix is Customs Coffee. Order a flat white (a vital part of New Zealand’s food and drink heritage) and pair it with one of Wellington’s famous cheese scones.
If you’re not in a rush, pull up a stool in Pour and Twist, the only fully manual coffee brew bar in New Zealand and take a deep dive into methods of hand brewing coffee.
There’s no hissing espresso machine in here. The owners are just as enthusiastic about sharing the craft of hand brewed coffee as they are serving it and are happy to demonstrate different brew methods.
Other famous coffee spots in Wellington include Fidel’s on Cuba Street, and Havana Coffee Works, a colourful, retro roastery where beans are roasted in batches by passionate coffee artisans.
3. Learn about New Zealand history at Te Papa (free entry)
One of Wellington’s star attractions is the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, which has pride of place on the waterfront.
New Zealand’s national museum houses exhibits on Māori and Pacific history. Te Papa is an essential stop for learning about the heritage of Māori people, as well as the Moriori people who inhabit the Chatham Islands.
There are also stunning collections of artworks like the exhibit from the Mataaho Collective, four Māori women who have been working together for the past decade.
Admission to Te Papa is free, and the cavernous interior is a welcome refuge on days of inclement weather.
4. Explore Wellington’s literary history, and go book shop hopping
One of my favourite things to do in Wellington is stroll around the waterfront, where you’ll see quotes from notable New Zealand writers, as typographical sculptures. The Writers Walk is beautifully done, with the words paying tribute to the city and sea.
One of the quotes belongs to Katherine Mansfield, one of New Zealand’s most prominent writers, who grew up in Wellington.
Visit the Mansfield House and Gardens to see where Mansfield lived as a young girl.
If you feel inspired to pick up new reading material after your waterside walk, head to independent book store Unity Books, or visit Ferret Bookshop for quality second-hand books.
5. Check out some of Wellington’s live music scene at San Fran
Wellington has a thriving live music scene, and one of the most popular venues where you can get amongst it is San Fran. From up-and-coming local artists to the big name internationals, this is a Wellington music instituion..
San Fran do a free gig every Wednesday night called Eyegum with local up and coming musicians. The genre is leans toward indie pop but it's a different lineup every week, so it’s a cool way to check out the scene on a budget.
Some other awesome music venues in Wellington:
Pyramid Club, for experimental music
Moon in Newtown
Jack Hacketts for Blues on Friday and Saturday nights
An awesome local tip: Follow theimage04 on Instagram for a brilliant Wellington gig guide. They post weekly with a schedule of what's happening/gigs at all the main venues in town and any other events happening elsewhere (that they know of)
6. See Wellington’s creative side at a perfumerie in Aro Valley
Aro Valley is an inner-city suburb home to some of Wellington’s coolest creatives.
Among the brewers, bakers, and makers is Abel Odor, a natural perfumery that is part factory and part shop.
Abel was founded by New Zealander Frances Shoemack, as a result of her quest for a natural perfume that is sustainable and ethical. The perfumery’s mission is to create the world’s best natural perfume without compromising on ethics or aesthetics.
At the flagship store in Te Aro, you can enjoy the gorgeous aesthetics of bespoke furniture and the functional stainless steel of the working factory (or ‘fabriek’ as they call it.
Here, you’re invited to be guided through the fragrance experience. You can go behind the scenes of a functioning, hyper-modern perfumery, and maybe walk out with a delightfully scented souvenir.
7. Visit the National Library to see New Zealand’s founding documents
One of the best things to do in Wellington is completely free.
Visit the National Library Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, opposite the New Zealand Parliament buildings, to see the New Zealand's founding documents. He Tohu is a permanent exhibition of three constitutional documents that shape Aotearoa;
He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni — Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand (1835). Created by Maori leaders/rangatira in 1835 to show the world that New Zealand was an independent Māori nation.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi – Treaty of Waitangi (1840). The founding agreement between Māori and the Crown. It is displayed facing toward the doors of parliament across the road, to constantly challenge the government and hold them accountable.
Women’s Suffrage Petition – Te Petihana Whakamana Pōti Wahine (1893). New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the vote, and at He Tohu you can see the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition, Te Petihana Whakamana Pōti Wahine.
The hand-crafted room where these documents are kept is inspired by traditional Māori waka huia, or canoes. It's lined with wood and has a curved ceiling.
The interactive exhibits give context to these important documents and insight into New Zealand's history.
8. Get the best views of Wellington from up Mount Victoria
The Mount Victoria Lookout in Wellington is a must-do.
The view from the top of the mount (more of a hill, known to Wellingtonians as simply Mt Vic) is glorious. From here, you can appreciate the splendour of Wellington’s harbour location, with bush clad hills rising around the city and sweeping sea views.
It’s also a top spot for a picnic.
Before walking up the hill, swing by the famous chef wholesaler and gourmet goods paradise Moore Wilson’s on Lorne Street — it’s a classic Wellington grocery store, so you will truly be living like a local if you do this.
In true Wellington style, here you’ll find everything you need for a decadent picnic, including cheeses, meats, and baked sweet treats.
The Mount Victoria Lookout is about a 30 minute walk from the centre of the city.
Mount Victoria is also famous for its cameo appearance in the Lord of the Rings trilogy as Hobbiton Woods. If you’re a LOTR fan, you can follow the Hobbit path to find the spot where Frodo and the other hobbits hid from the ring wraith.
9. Walk along Oriental Bay and check out the colourful boat sheds
A great little photo spot close the centre of Wellington is the iconic boat sheds.
There’s a row of 49 historic sheds, the first buildings built alongside the new harbour in 1905. The concrete sheds were only ever intended to be practical, but now they are a city landmark thanks to their bright colours and rows of symmetry.
After the boat sheds, you can carry on walking around to Oriental Bay, which is a pretty slice of sandy beach.
Beach Babylon, a beachside cafe, does a pretty good brunch in a funky, retro setting.
10. Spot seals in the Red Rocks reserve
The coastal walk by Red Rocks reserve is gorgeous — a wild, rocky, windswept stretch of coastline, where you’ll be walking by the water.
Red Rocks Reserve is located in the Owhiro Bay area, about a 30-minute drive from Wellington's city centre.
The trail takes you past distinctive red and orange-hued rocks, which were formed from ancient volcanic activity.
Seals laze on the rocks, quite unbothered by the people walking by.
On clear days, you can even see as far as the South Island.
The walk is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours return, depending on how far you choose to go. It's around 6.5 km (4 miles) from the Owhiro Bay car park to Sinclair Head and back.
If you happen to be visiting Wellington in a campervan, Red Rocks Reserve is also a fabulous freedom camping spot. It feels like you’re miles away from the city, but it’s only a 15 minute drive.
11. Take the iconic Cable Car up to the Botanic Gardens
One of the most fun things to do in Wellington is to catch the fire engine red Cable Car that has been trundling up and down the Kelburn hillside since 1902.
You can catch the cable car from Lambton Quay, the main shopping street running parallel to the waterfront ($6 one way).
The cable car climbs around 120 meters in a short five minutes, saving you a hike up the hillside. Disembark at the Kelburn terminal; from here, you can walk through the Botanic Gardens.
Wellington Botanic Garden is situated on the hills above the city center, encompassing 25 hectares (62 acres) of landscaped gardens, forests, and natural bush.
From their location on the hill, you can enjoy views across the city to the harbour beyond.
For an even better view, head to the Te Ahumairangi Hill Lookout — about a one hour walk from the Cable Car Kelburn terminal through the gardens. as your final destination.
From the lookout, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of the city.
12. Visit Zealandia to see a vision of New Zealand without people
Zealandia is a fenced wildlife sanctuary with a 500 year plan to restore the valley where it’s located, wedged into a hillside not far from central Wellington, to a pre-human state.
Visit Zealandia during the day for a chance to spot rare birds like tieke/saddlebacks, takahē and kākā, or at night for a chance to see nocturnal kiwi.
There’s a free shuttle to Zealandia from the Kelburn terminal of the Cable Car, so it’s easy to combine the two activities.
13. Visit Wellington’s craft beer brewpubs
I’m not really a beer drinker, but in the capital I make an exception for the craft beer brewpubs; it’s an essential activity in Wellington.
The city boasts the most craft beer breweries per capita in New Zealand, earning its reputation as the craft beer capital of the country. It's a haven for beer enthusiasts with its diverse range of breweries and bars.
The craft beer culture is strong in Wellington, and the city’s breweries encapsulate a lot of the grungy, creative charm of the capital.
On the funky Hannah’s Laneway, a block over from Cuba street, you’ll find Fortune Favours spread across two stories of an old industrial building.
Near the upper end of Cuba Street is Heyday, a pastel green brewpub in a former car battery shop. There are tables out the front, so on a fine day you can sit in the sunshine and enjoy cold brews.
Garage Project is another local favourite. Their brewery in Aro Valley features a rotating selection of unique and experimental beers,
The wood-panelled taproom has a laid-back vibe and on tap are around 20 beers. Try a tasting flight for the full experience.
Over in Lyall Bay, one of Wellington’s best beaches, is ParrotDog, another good spot.
14. Explore Wellington’s restaurants
One of my favourite food memories of Wellington is visiting my sister back when I was a student, and she took for roti canai at a hole in the wall place on Cuba Street. I remember sitting on the plastic chairs in the cold, dipping thick chunks of roti in a hearty, tangy curry, the perfect warming dish on a chilly day.
This is the kind of thing you can look forward to in Wellington; incredible food from all over the world. Often dished up in deliberately low-key settings, pretty much always good enough to knock your socks off.
You could try a Myanmar tea leaf salad at Mabel’s, silky Syrian walnut-and-red-pepper dip at Damascus, toast with avocado, labneh and hot pickled carrots at Customs Coffee, and Pacific delicacies like kina at Hiakai.
There are so many restaurants to explore in Wellington that eating out is an activity in itself, a tour of New Zealand’s cultural influences and exceptional produce.
Until recently, New Zealand cuisine was mostly associated with lamb shanks and potatoes, or greasy snacks like petrol station pies.
These things still have a place in our food traditions, but now diverse, creative chefs are redefining modern New Zealand cuisine — and Wellington is an excellent place to see this in action.
15. Swing by the City Gallery Wellington
Meet Quasi, the slightly terrifying hand atop City Gallery
The City Gallery Wellington is housed in a former public library building in the city centre. You’ll recognise it easily thanks to the giant,and slightly terrigying sculture of a human hand with a face glaring down from the roof.
The 16-foot sculture is called Quasi, by Ronnie van Hout.
The City Gallery showcases modern art — it’s a great place to see exhibitions from New Zealand artists.
General admission is free.
Tips for visiting Wellington
1. The best time to visit Wellington is in summer
Wellington locals have a saying — “you can’t beat Wellington on a good day.”
They have a point; the city is stunning in the sunshine. But, to have better chances of getting a good day, you need to visit Wellington is in the summer and autumn months, from December to April.
Wellington is a famously windy city and it can also be very cold and wet during winter.
Having said this, I’ve spent time in Wellington in June and July, freedom camping out by Red Rocks Reserve, and it was fine. I had a hot water bottle in my van and was perfectly toasty.
There are lots of indoor options for activities in Wellington, including cosy cafes and restaurants, thrift shopping, museums and art galleries, and more.
While the views and walks of Wellington won’t be as pleasant on a wet and blustery day, you can still enjoy the city’s excellent food and coffee — in fact, heavy cheese scones taste even better on a cold day.
2. Don’t pack floaty dresses (pack a rain coat)
My sister lived in Wellington for many years, and she was always complaining that she couldn’t wear pretty skirts and dresses, because they just fly up in the wind. She also went through a lot of shoes because it’s so wet.
So, if you’re wondering what to wear in Wellington — bring layers. I am nearly always surprised by how cold it is, so a warm outer layer is great, and a rain coat can often double as a wind breaker.
3. Wellington is a very walkable city
It’s not easy to drive around the centre of Wellington (and parking is expensive anywhere near the city) but it is very walkable.
I love how compact the city centre is. You can cover a lot of ground on foot.
How to spend a day in Wellington
If you only have one day in Wellington, get brunch and coffee from one of the city’s famous cafes in the morning, go for a stroll around the waterfront, stop by Te Papa museum and then head down Cuba Street.
After an afternoon of browsing book shops and record stores, you can have dinner at one of the great restaurants in the city, and round out your day with a cocktail or glass of local wine in a speakeasy bar like Puffin.
Thanks for reading this far! I hope you’re looking forward to exploring Wellington, our funky little capital city.
If you’ve enjoyed my recommendations, you might want to check these out as well before you go:
