Find out what activities and experiences have changed for the 2023/24 tourism trade season.
Wellington is a compact city surrounded by nature, fueled by creative energy and comprised of a compelling product mix. For groups and FITs, there is plenty to see and do.
Discover Zealandia Te Mārā a Tāne — an eco-sanctuary right in the heart of Wellington, with a free day-time electric shuttle service available from the Wellington isite.
Experience the awakening of the sanctuary as sounds of hihi, tīeke and tūī start a new day. Tours start before sunrise and include breakfast.
Photograph wildlife and nature like a pro in these new guided tours. You’ll get unprecedented access to advice from expert photographers and view Zealandia through a whole new lens.
Join one of our experienced guides on an engaging and informative walk through the picturesque sanctuary to witness the native wildlife that is once again living on the mainland. Tours operate year-round, with private tours available for groups.
Experience the dusk chorus sung and a flurry of activity as a range of resident birds return to their nests against the magical backdrop of the dusk sky and the calm forest environment.
Explore the sanctuary by torchlight as your guide leads you in search of some of the more distinctive sights and sounds of New Zealand’s native forest. See glow worms, tuatara, and the famous Little spotted kiwi.
Embark on the iconic Wētā Workshop Experience and learn about the making of movie effects and props — from armour to weapons, creatures to costumes, make-up to prosthetics and more! The perfect activity for individuals, couples, families and groups.
Public and private 90-minute guided movie-making tours, transfers, dining packages, and creative workshops are all available.
New in 2023: The tour space has undergone a refresh making it more interactive than ever before. There are new artefacts, photo opportunities and live artist demonstrations.
New in 2023/24: Translation services.
Bring Aotearoa New Zealand’s stories to life through the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa’s guided tours.
The awe-inspiring exhibition has been extended until April 2025.
Celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique natural environment — and get ready for our future as kaitiaki (guardians).
Learn about how New Zealand came to be and what the future holds for this island nation.
Discover how te iwi taketake (first peoples of the land) have formed unique tools, foods, and medicines provided by the natural world of Aotearoa New Zealand and share kai (traditionally inspired food) with your guide.
A one-hour private tour through Te Papa and experience the living and breathing taonga of the first peoples of the land.
The Wellington Cable Car is now offering exclusive tours for small groups to give a glimpse of the technology that powers this iconic Wellington landmark. A group of six is $45 (allow 45 minutes). Rates for standard Cable Car tickets are available.
The tour includes:
Returning in 2023, Te Wharewaka o Pōneke offers a unique tourism experience. Discover Wellington’s rich and diverse Māori history through our Waka (Canoe) and Walking Tours.
Learn how to paddle a waka, a unique and authentic Māori cultural experience on Wellington Harbour. Perfect for the group market with a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 18 people. Ages 5+. Rates are available on request.
Explore hidden Māori treasures around Wellington. Perfect for small groups or FITs. Private tours are available on request. No age restrictions.
New Zealand Photography Workshops offer practical hands-on workshops capturing the stunning scenery of Wellington. Their one day Wellington workshops start beginner photographers on the path of personalising and capturing unique photos.
He Tohu is a permanent exhibition of three iconic constitutional documents that shape Aotearoa New Zealand, including the original Treaty of Waitangi, the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand, and the Women’s Suffrage Petition.
Take an audio tour or contact He Tohu to organise a guided experience.
Self-guided audio tour available in eleven different languages: English, Te Reo Māori, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, French, German, Fijian, Samoan, Tongan, Hindi, and New Zealand Sign Language.
Discover Ngā Manu Nature Reserve on the Kāpiti Coast, a native bird and forest reserve. Easily accessed off the Kāpiti expressway or cycleway and only a 45-minute drive from Wellington.
Only an hour from Wellington City by car or train, the Wairarapa is one of New Zealand’s top food and wine destinations at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. A day visit or overnight trip is the perfect complement to your stay in Wellington.
Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre in the Wairarapa (a two-hour drive from Wellington city) is home to conservation breeding programmes for many of New Zealand’s most endangered wildlife, including kiwi.
Offering self-guided and guided visitor experiences, including a one-hour highlights tour, night tour and cultural tour.
As well as a 30-minute Kiwi and Friends Experience, perfect for groups with limited time available.
Cycle the Martinborough vineyards with Green Jersey Explorer Tours, One Day Martinborough Explorer. Choose from 25 cellar doors within 4 kilometres of the town centre, or adventure further into the quiet countryside.
The tour includes:
Walk and talk wine in Martinborough with a local guide with Martinborough Wine Walks. Trespassing (with permission) through vineyards, dodging the occasional sheep and visiting producers in their place of work. Join viticulturists and winemakers for genuine and exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into their stories.
Tour includes:
Visit various Martinborough wineries and vineyards by a luxury vehicle and knowledgeable local guides with Martinborough Wine Tours. All tours can be private and personalised on request.
Discover the Wellington region with ease through private, personalised or public tours, guided by Wellington’s passionate and knowledgeable storytellers.
Switched on Bikes is Wellington’s centrally-located bike hub offering guided and self-guided tours. Can be pre-booked.
They also have self-guided options for the city which include electric and mountain bikes with a specially curated map, lock and tips.
Discover Wellington’s creative heart with NZ Fine Art Tour’s 2 to 3-hour private walking tours. All tours are private, can cater to large groups on request and depart from the client’s inner-city hotel.
Showcases Wellington’s very diverse selection of original products, local culture, hidden gems, historic precincts and interesting laneways in this bespoke Wellington tour.
One of their newest bespoke tours in Wellington, where your clients will be taken on an inspiring culinary journey with dietary requirements easily catered for with advance notification.
Enjoy beautiful birdsong, day and night, on one of the most important bird recovery sites in Aotearoa with Kapiti Island Nature Tours.
Short on time, big on adventure. Includes: ferry to island, lunch, and a guided walk. Ex-Wellington transfers are available on request.
Discover the mysteries of Kapiti Island after dark and fall asleep to the calls of wild kiwi. Award-winning overnight adventure. Multiple accommodation options are available, from glamping to baches.
Wellington has a range of new and exciting tour operators entering the market with an assortment of unique Wellington highlight tours.
Kaewa Tours has a keen eye and passion for sustainability, exceptional guest service and beautifully designed itineraries.
Capital Personalised Tours showcasing Wellington and beyond as a private and personalised experience. No minimum numbers and up to 11 people.
3.5hrs | 7hrs. 2 people — $190pp | $310pp
3.5hrs | 7hrs. 2 people — $190pp | $310pp
3.5hrs | 7hrs. 2 people — $190pp | $310pp
7hrs. 2 people — $310pp
7hrs. 2 people — $310pp | $340pp
Zozo Travel offers a multitude of guided small-group wine, food, tastings, and highlight tours of the Wellington region and Wairarapa.
More tours are available on the website.
Xplor Tours is a family-owned and operated tour business offering minibus to coach-sized city highlight tours for the Wellington region.
$120pp/$285pp. 3.25 hours/6.5 hours.
$185pp/$285pp. 4 hours/6 hours.
Other tours available on request
Find out about transport and accommodation updates in Wellington for the 2023/24 tourism trade season.
Contact the Tourism Trade team
If you’d like to know more about Wellington tourism products we’re here to help.
Let’s talkPage last updated: 9 August 2023. All prices are retail New Zealand Dollars (NZD).