WellingtonLocations directory
People walking down Cuba Street, past the Bucket Fountain, an iconic kinetic sculpture.

Cuba Street is one of the best-known streets in Wellington. Being home to many heritage buildings, it attracts boutiques, hospitality, retro shops, music venues, and galleries.

The street’s architecture spans Edwardian, and Art Deco eras with most completed in the 19th and 20th centuries. Some modern structures have been added but the precinct has retained much of its turn-of-the-century charm. As the bohemian heart of the city, it is home to artists, students, and musicians. Its general quirkiness and street life make it a popular tourist destination.

Beginning a block back from the waterfront, Cuba Street runs south from Wellington’s central business district. The first block, dominated by the Michael Fowler Centre is partially pedestrianised. The following two blocks are an open-air mall populated with café and restaurant seating, plants, and the famous Bucket Fountain sculpture. The southernmost three blocks are open to cars.

Contrary to popular opinion that the street is named after Cuba, it is named after an early New Zealand Company settler ship. The Cuba arrived in Wellington Harbour in 1840.

Location details

Jurisdiction Wellington City Council
Permits required Yes, apply for a permit
Location descriptors Alleys, city, downtown, roads, shops, stores, urban, buildings, streets, cultural centres, historical sites, pedestrian zones, shopping precincts, public art installations, architectural landmarks, cafés, restaurants, water features, historical architecture, street art.
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The screen location of Tākina, the large convention centre with unique designs and large open industrial feeling spaces.

Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre

50 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington | 71Inspired by the city’s dramatic landscape and environment, Wellington’s purpose-built convention centre is a blank canvas for filming.

Ngauranga train station

Ngauranga Train Station

Hutt Road, Ngauranga, Wellington | 51A single island train platform for commuter rail, sitting north of Wellington city on the edge of the rugged coastline.

The screen location of Whiitemans Valley, nestled among trees and hills, old buildings have been built to mimic an old town.

Whitemans Valley Village

Whitemans Valley Village, Upper Hutt | 10Whitemans Valley is a historical film set, surrounded by a rural backdrop. It has been used in TV series such as Country GP and Wellington Paranormal.

Exterior of Wellington Railway Station, a brick building, at dusk.

Wellington Railway Station

Bunny Street, Pipitea, Wellington | 61The Wellington Railway Station is one of the country’s most architecturally impressive 20th-century buildings, inspired by Penn Station in New York.

The screen location of Oriental Bay, wth pastel-coloured, Art Deco apartments, brightly-painted boat sheds, and the golden beach.

Oriental Bay

Oriental Bay, Wellington | 86Oriental Bay is an inner-city beach and is one of Wellington’s best features, sitting along the Wellington waterfront.

The mix of modern and old buildings along Lambton Quay, including the old supreme court, and old bank.

Lambton Quay

Lambton Quay, Wellington | 315Lambton Quay is the heart of the central business district of Wellington, with many offices and shops lining the street.

The screen location of Greytown, a historic small town featuring Victorian buildings, stables, colonial cottages, and rural landscapes surrounding.

Greytown

Greytown, Wairarapa | 309Greytown is a historic small town in the Wairarapa region. It has Victorian buildings lining the main street and was once named the most beautiful town.

Masterton Town Hall is an old stone building.

Masterton

Masterton, Wairarapa | 308Founded in 1854, Masterton is the largest town in the Wairarapa region, servicing the surrounding farmland. It has many historic buildings throughout the town.

The small, charming town of Featherston for a screen location. With the backdrop of the Remutaka Range and 19th-century buildings.

Featherston

Featherston, Wairarapa | 307Featherston is a small town in the Wairarapa region. The Remutaka Range creates a lush backdrop for the town, which sits in the foothills.