10 Wellington Attractions You Can't Miss on Your First Visit

Visiting New Zealand for the first time? You’re bound to head for its natural wonders like Rotorua or Milford Sound. Enter Wellington.

If you think there’s not much to see or do in the New Zealand capital, let us prove you wrong! There’s no shortage of fun in Wellington with its many attractions. The city is known as the culture and art hub of New Zealand, so when it comes to the best places to visit in Wellington, you’re spoilt for choice. Aside from its city landmarks, this little capital also has its fair share of scenic views for you to visit!

Planning to visit Windy Welly? We’ve rounded up our top 10 places to visit in Wellington, especially when you’re going for the first time:

What better way to start your Welly trip than to visit the highest of all Wellington attractions? Located east of the city centre, Mount Victoria offers the most remarkable panoramic city views and surrounding harbour. On a clear day, you might see the South Island. There are two starting points to reach the summit: Oriental Parade and Majoribanks Street. 

Another great way to see Wellington’s breathtaking scenery is to ride the Wellington Cable Car, the country’s only funicular railway. From the heart of Wellington CBD, hop aboard the historic cable car to Kelburn Lookout, and enjoy the picturesque views throughout the five-minute journey. The Kelburn terminal is also conveniently located near other great places to visit in Wellington: New Zealand’s Cable Car Museum and Wellington Botanic Gardens!

Make sure you pack your cameras when you head to Wellington Botanic Garden! This 25-hectare garden holds a colourful history of 150 years and always has something to showcase. From its sprawling rose beds and lovely tulips to seasonal plants, it continues to bloom a fantastic range of native flora. The botanic garden is one of the ideal places to visit in Wellington if you want to spend quality time with family or friends while appreciating local flowers you won’t find anywhere else in the world!

Want to know more about New Zealand? Head to Te Papa Museum, where you can discover the country’s geography, culture, and heritage of the Maori people. Fondly called Te Papa by the locals, the museum holds exhibitions of New Zealand’s unique environment, artistic interpretations of South Pacific life, Gallipoli through the eyes of New Zealanders, and so much more. 

Nope, there are no bees here! The Beehive in Wellington is the iconic Executive Wing building of the New Zealand Parliament. So, why is it called The Beehive? One distinct characteristic of this Wellington attraction is that it resembles a traditional, woven beehive. The offices of the PM and Cabinet members are located here, so there are definitely “busy bees” around.

If you consider yourself a Ringer (or a fan of The Lord of the Rings cinematic universe), the Weta Workshop should be your top choice for places to visit in Wellington. You wouldn’t want to miss touring around this famous cave and getting front-row access to props and special effects used for these epic films. Plus, you’ll also be able to see artists at work on their current film projects and take home souvenirs and collectables from the Weta Cave shop.

Ever heard of an urban ecosanctuary? Check out ZEALANDIA! If you love learning about animals, it's one of the places to visit in Wellington to catch sight of endemic bird species, including saddleback, takahe, and the iconic kiwi. This 225-hectare sanctuary also has a museum and over 32 kilometres of walking trails for you to explore.

Travelling with the kids? There is no need to fret—there are also lots of fun things to do with the little ones. One of the best attractions to bring them to is the Wellington Zoo. Allow them to explore different animal zones where they can meet and greet a wide range of animals like squirrel monkeys, ring-tailed lemurs, giraffes, and so much more! There are tons of daily animal talks and animal encounters, so you can get up close and personal with these creatures. How exciting!

You can still get your daily dose of Vitamin D and Vitamin Sea while in Wellington. Just head to Oriental Bay and enjoy a quick dip in the ocean or lounge under the sun. In the distance, you can see another Wellington attraction: the Carter Fountain, which sprays saltwater up to 16 metres high. 

Feel right at home at Cuba Street, one of Wellington’s liveliest and most vibrant streets. Quirky cafes, art galleries, and record stores line up on the street—a haven and the perfect place to visit in Wellington for those on the hunt for retail therapy. Cuba Street is also where the famous Bucket Fountain site is, a fountain of colourful buckets designed to surprise people by splashing them with water!