24 hours in Wellington: How to spend a day in the capital

Caffeinated breakfast

You’re going to need energy to tackle the city’s sights so start the day with breakfast at one of Wellington’s top cafés. Wellingtonians take coffee very seriously and many local roasteries keep cafés well supplied, so a quality brew is never far away. If you want an ocean view while you plan your day, there are some great cafés around the harbour and along the southern coastline. Travelling for a view to accompany your eggs is worth it.

Customers sitting inside Maranui Cafe enjoying the lookout over Lyall Bay and their meals. Fish and surf decor surround the room.

A bird's eye view of a foamy cappuccino in a white coffee cup on a white saucer sitting on a light beige table top at Swimsuit Cafe located on Dixon Street in Wellington.

Barista at pour and twist creating their custom coffee on the counter.

An eggs benedict dish served at the Botanist.

A Cable Car quest to the bush

Wellington’s historic Cable Car has been trundling up and down the hill from Lambton Quay to Kelburn for over 120 years. It serves many commuters and students needing a convenient way to avoid a steep walk home, but is also a huge tourist attraction. There are several stops on the way, but you’ll want to stay on until the end where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city and harbour.

The Wellington Cable Car parked at the top terminal, people walk in and out of the doors.

The adventure doesn’t stop at the top. From there, you can explore the 25 hectares of Wellington Botanic Gardens (the final stop on the Cable Car leaves you on its boundary). Or, you can catch a free shuttle to Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, a fully-fenced predator-free ecosanctuary. The world-first conservation project has a 500-year vision to restore a Wellington city valley back to a pre-human state. The forest and freshwater ecosystem support native bird life and other endangered species.

Wide tarsealed pathways surrounded by trees and plants, with people walking in Wellingtons Botanic Gardens.

A young family stop along a gravel path to admire a bird flying through the lush green trees of Zealandia.

Person walking through the Begonia House, surrounded by lush plants and flowers.

A Kākā sitting amongst the trees in Zealandia.

Cuba connection

Back in the city, a stroll along Cuba Street will get you in the thick of Wellington’s atmosphere. Cuba Street, along with its side streets, hosts a colourful clutch of cafés, restaurants, and boutiques. It attracts a diverse group of people who keep the area busy from morning until late at night.

The Bucket Fountain (an unofficial symbol of the city) often has buskers and performers nearby who will keep you entertained should you want to eat your lunch outside. Nearby are a couple of quaint laneways running between Ghuznee and Dixon Streets.

Egmont and Leeds Streets have hidden restaurants, bars, and shops. If you’re a chocoholic you’ll want to visit artisan chocolate maker Wellington Chocolate Factory. For lovers of traditional pizza, Pizza Pomodoro in the Hannahs Courtyard serves great takeaway if you’re in a rush.

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

Wellington’s iconic Bucket Fountain on Cuba Street.

Waterfront stroll

The largest museum in the country takes pride of place on Wellington’s waterfront. With 36,000 square metres spread across six stories, Te Papa contains a vast repository of collections. There are over 800,000 artworks, objects, and specimens. You could spend an entire day exploring and still not see everything, but you can select at least one exhibition to see during your 24 hours in the city. You can visit every day of the year except Christmas Day.

Once you get back outside, you’ll need a pick-me-up. If that takes the form of gelato or ice cream, there are several options nearby. If it’s a restorative beer, then some excellent inner-city breweries will serve up a cold one. Fortune Favours, Choice Bros, and Heyday Beer Co are all within walking distance. You can see their product maturing in the vats before sampling it at the bar.

The lobby of Te Papa Museum. High ceilings, large posters and an elevator can been seen.

Looking towards Oriental Bay over some rocks, the fountain can be seen as well as the beach, houses, the city in the background, and Freyburg pools.

People sit at a table at the Garage Project Taproom with a plate of bread and oysters.

2 hands holding up ice creams from Gelissimo Gelateria on the Wellington Waterfront.

Beer taps line the tiled wall of the Garage Project Taproom while a person is served two beers by an employee.

Dinner in the culinary capital

For dinner, head to one of Wellington’s top award-winning eateries. Wellington offers a dizzying range of dining styles that suits all budgets. From fun, casual eats at Mr Go’s, 1154 Pastaria and Burger Liquor to the laidback luxury of Ortega Fish Shack and Highwater. If you head back to Cuba Street precinct there is a concentration of great Malaysian, Italian, South American, Indian, and Japanese eats.

Waiter setting a table inside Ortega Fish Shack. A large Marlin is mounted on one wall and a very large painting of a lake is on the other.

Two people stroll along Oriental Bay Parade in Wellington holding hands on a sunny day.

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The view of Wellington Harbour from Mount Victoria on a sunny day.

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Three friends have coffee outside Pour & Twist, a café in Te Aro, Wellington.

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