Best things to do for free in the city

The best way to get your bearings in Wellington is by heading to the top of Mount Victoria. Mt Vic, as the locals call it, rises 196m above the city, The lookout has panoramic views of Wellington city, its harbour, and hills beyond. It’s part of the Southern Walkway track so it’s possible to get there walking. It’s also part of the network of trails in the Town Belt so there are multiple walks to explore once you get there. 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.

Wētā Workshop is renowned for making amazing props, sets and effects for some of the biggest movies in cinema. Right next door there’s a ‘Cave’. It’s a mini museum and store that’s free to visit. There’s plenty to look at including two huge trolls that sit guarding the entrance — perfect for a ‘The Lord of the Rings’-inspired selfie.

A giant sculptural sign on Wellington’s waterfront lets you physically become part of Wellington. Wander down to the harbour’s edge, and you’ll find there’s no “I” in a huge ‘WELL_NGTON’ sign. Stand on the platform where the ‘I’ should be and complete the word. It’s the perfect photo opportunity.

The sculpture has proved hugely popular. Its current covering is reflective and shimmers and changes colour as you move around it. The sculpture can be found on the waterfront side of Te Papa near Chaffers Marina.

Wellington Museum tells the stories of its people — from its maritime history, and Māori and European settlement, to its growth as a region, and its evolution since becoming the capital in 1865. Free exhibitions and experiences pack the four floors of the beautifully restored 19th-century wharf building.

The Wellington region’s premier contemporary art institution curates a regularly changing exhibition schedule. The majority are free of charge. City Gallery doesn’t maintain its own collection but rather invests resources into mounting unique large scale exhibitions from leading international and national artists.

The waterfront is the city’s backyard, where everyone goes to hang out and relax. A wide path stretches from the Railway Station in the north to Oriental Bay in the southeast. It’s made up of paved areas, bridges, wharves, and parks. You’ll find public sculptures, galleries, museums, picnic areas, diving platforms, beaches, and coffee or gelato pitstops. It’s a great place to people-watch, walk, jog or cycle.

The laws of the land are proposed, debated, and passed in the parliamentary complex. Regular free tours allow you an insight into how democracy works in New Zealand. You’ll pass through the Executive Wing (the Beehive), notable for its circular design, and see the 100-year-old Parliament House. You’ll also get to walk into the oldest surviving part of the complex — the 1897 Parliamentary Library.

For more than 100 years, Government House has been home to the Governor-General of New Zealand — the King’s representative. You can access the Category 1 heritage building during a free two-hour tour. It will take you through the visitor centre, the main house and its public reception rooms, and the gardens (weather-dependent). You’ll get to learn about the current and historic role of the house, the Governor-General, and some of the famous guests who have stayed there. You need to book a tour, which starts at the Hospital Road gate in Newtown.

It’s been ranked by Lonely Planet as one of the top 500 places in the world to visit for free. The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa has 36,000 sqm of space spread across six floors. You could spend hours there exploring the art, cultural artefacts, history, and flora and fauna specimens.

Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā encompasses 25 hectares of specialised plant collections, colourful botanical displays, protected native forest and views over Wellington City. It is a vast tract of land that has offered relaxation, playtime, shade, and education about flora and fauna for more than 150 years.