Top 10 Wellington must-dos
There's so much to see and do in the coolest little capital, so to get you started, here’s our list of the top 10 things to do when you visit Wellington.
Enjoy 360-degree views from the top of Mount Victoria
Mount Victoria, Hataitai, Wellington
The best way to get your bearings of the city is by checking out the views from the top of Mount Victoria, or Mt Vic, as the locals call it. Rising 196m above the city, the Mount Victoria Lookout has stunning panoramic views of Wellington city, harbour and hills. You can drive to the top of Mt Vic or walk there via one of the many trails in the Town Belt. Take a picnic with you, settle in on the hillside and relax while watching ferries and cruise ships sail into the harbour and planes fly in and out of the airport. Mt Vic is also one of the best spots in the city for taking in a sunrise or sunset.
Ride the historic Wellington Cable Car
280 Lambton Quay, Te Aro, Wellington
Take a ride on the historic Wellington Cable Car to the top of the Cable Car Lookout for panoramic views over the city and harbour. One of Wellington's most popular tourist attractions, the Wellington Cable Car departs every 10 minutes from Lambton Quay in downtown Wellington. Along with stunning views, at the top of the Cable Car you’ll also find the Wellington Botanic Garden, Cable Car Museum and Space Place.
Wander around the waterfront
Wellington’s waterfront is like the city’s backyard, where everyone goes to hang out and do recreational activities. There’s a wide footpath that stretches from the Railway Station around to Oriental Bay and beyond, which is a great to walk, jog or cycle along. Along the way you’ll find many public sculptures, park benches and places to stop for a coffee or a gelato. On sunny days, stop by the Taranaki Wharf to watch as swimmers jump off a specially-designed eight-metre-high dive platform.
Explore the weekend markets
Corner Barnett and Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Wellington’s markets are colourful and lively with buskers and entertainment and the smell of delicious, sizzling hot food in the air. Harbourside Market is a Sunday morning ritual for locals, who go to buy fresh produce and fresh fish straight off the back of a fishing boat that moors beside the market. Food trucks serve a range of delicious food and coffee and stalls of local artisan food produce. Every Friday and Saturday Cuba Street comes alive with a lively night market that offers an array of food stalls featuring cuisines from around the world.
Cuba Street
Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington
One of Wellington's best-loved and best-known streets, Cuba Street is one of those places where everyone is welcome and feels at home. It's the home of the high/low: dine out on delicious $10 dumplings or a divine degustation at renowned restaurant, Logan Brown; see the Bucket Fountain and street art or cutting-edge contemporary art at one of the street's art galleries. Wellington's home of the unexpected, the quirky, the alternative and the fun – there's always something new to discover on Cuba Street.
Taste your way around the culinary capital
Wellington’s reputation as New Zealand’s culinary capital is well-deserved – we have more eateries and bars per capita than New York City! Dine out at one of the city’s award-winning cafés and restaurants, discover local wine and craft beer and creative cocktails at one of our bars, drink the best coffee of your life and try some truly unique craft brews. Plan a visit for August and experience the region’s cuisine at its most creative.
