24 hours in Wellington

Get a taste of the best the city has to offer from nature, great views, museums, top eats, craft beer and some street art - all in one day

Garage Project bartender serving beer

Grab a coffee

Start the day with a delicious brunch at one of Wellington's top cafés. Wellington is a city with beautiful coastlines, so why not head to one of our cafés to soak up the views of the harbour or inner-city laneways while you enjoy our city's legendary great coffee and free-range eggs done just the way you like them.

Coffee Supreme boy pouring coffee
Wellington Cable Car at sunrise 2021 v2

Ride the Cable Car

Take a ride on the historic Cable Car all the way to the top to check out the panoramic views of the city and harbour. From here you can catch a free shuttle to Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, a world-first, fully-fenced predator-free ecosanctuary, the first of its kind in the world.

Zealandia Ecosanctuary Kaka flying

See & do

Visit an ecosanctuary

Take a guided walk around Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne to find out more about their 500-year vision to restore a Wellington valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems as closely as possible to their pre-human state.

Find out more

Wellington Chocolate Factory in Hannahs Laneway1
Egmont Street Eatery couple eating brunch
Fix Fogg peanut butter window in laneway

Lunch in a laneway

Ride Zealandia’s free shuttle back into town and take a stroll along Cuba Street. Known as Wellington’s most colourful street, here you’ll find the Bucket Fountain sculpture.

Nearby is Hannah's Laneway, a culinary hotspot that’s home to artisan peanut butter makers Fix & Fogg, Wellington Chocolate Factory and more.

For lunch, head to the next laneway over for Egmont Street Eatery’s seasonal menu with a strong emphasis on local ingredients. The restaurant has won awards for its food and the stunning interior fit-out.

Te Papa Museum Family and Guide v2

See & do

Visit Te Papa

Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum and art gallery is known for its cutting-edge approach to telling the stories of Aotearoa New Zealand. The best way to discover the museum is to take a guided tour.

Find out more

Eat and Drink gelissimo Gelato WellingtonNZ Johnny Hendrikus 2021 summer ice cream waterfront 34 1

Gelato or craft beer (or both)

Take a stroll around the beautiful waterfront, stopping to check out the public art along the way and to get a scoop of locally-made gelato at Oriental Bay, Wellington's golden-sand, inner-city beach. Or go for a taste of Wellington’s famous craft beer. Ghuznee Street boasts a fantastic line-up of brew bars including Whistling Sisters, Fortune Favours and Choice Bros.

Dinner in the culinary capital

For dinner, head to one of Wellington’s top award-winning eateries. Wellington offers a range of dining styles, from fun, casual eats at Mr Go’s, 1154 Pastaria and Burger Liquor to the laidback luxury of Ortega Fish Shack, Atlas and Restaurant Amok.

Wellington's famous Cuba Street is home to a world of flavours with restaurants serving up the best Malaysian, Italian, South American, Indian and Japanese eats. 

Plated dish of food with slivers of raw fish topped with green kiwifruit, salsa and yellow oil
Rydges Wellington Airport exterior

Stay

Don't want to leave?

We don't blame you. If you can't drag yourself away from Wellington and miss your flight, you can always book in to stay at Rydges Wellington Airport - an art-filled and stylish hotel with a great restaurant.

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