Top Wellington Art & Culture

Te Papa Museum of New Zealand is unique for its innovative, interactive exhibits that engage visitors through cutting-edge technology, its deep respect and authentic representation of Māori culture and heritage, its comprehensive displays of New Zealand's diverse natural history and cultural narratives, and its commitment to inclusivity and community engagement, making it a dynamic and inclusive cultural hub.

Immerse yourself in movie history with this tour of Wētā Workshop. Follow your guide as you see props, costumes, and more from blockbusters including The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Learn how everything is made and other behind-the-scenes facts as you go. Perfect for movie buffs.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at several “The Lord of the Rings” locations around Wellington that will delight fans of the movies or books. See where scenes were filmed, take a forest walk through Tolkien’s Rivendell, and step into Weta Workshop for a movie production tour of digital special effects. Your guide shares insider gossip on how the movies were made and takes you to lunch.

Spend the morning or afternoon visiting Middle-earth on this half-day “The Lord of the Rings” tour from Wellington. A guide with insider knowledge entertains Frodo fans on a journey into the scenic New Zealand countryside. Get a behind-the-scenes look at LOTR movie production on a tour of the Weta Workshop and discover why director Peter Jackson selected this region to film the renowned trilogy, along with “The Hobbit” movies.

The hills around Wellington offer a spectacular backdrop for a cycling tour, but pedaling uphill is tiring. Take the effort out by joining an e-bike tour and focus on enjoying the sights and views. This half-day tour will take you past many of the capital’s highlights, including Te Papa, the Wellington Waterfront, and the Maupuia Walkway. Morning or afternoon departures are available.

The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy was filmed all over New Zealand, so it can be tough to know how best to explore the sights local to where you’re staying. On this full-day small-group tour, head to filming locations seen in the movies, explore the Weta Cave mini museum, visit the movie theatre that premiered Return of the King, and much more.

First-time visitors to Wellington who want to see some of the capital’s must-visit attractions alongside its less-frequented spots will love this small-group half-day tour. There’s no need to get tired walking around, or get lost self-driving. Head up to the Mt. Victoria Lookout for panoramic views, learn about “The Lord of the Rings” at the Weta Workshop Studios, take a drive around the scenic Miramar Peninsula, and more.

A fun and informative introduction to Wellington. Meeting and leaving from the main entrance of the Wellington train station, a quick walk to the Parliament grounds will provide insight into New Zealand and Wellington politics. From here we'll take a walk atop the Wellington seismic fault line to the botanic gardens, these gardens marry the exotic with the native beautifully, and we shall garner an understanding of New Zealand's unique flora and fauna as we walk through some dense New Zealand bush. Reaching the top of the gardens, at the top of the cable car, we'll take in the beautiful view, point out some landmarks and generally orientate ourselves. From here we will walk through suburbs and places most tourists will never see, winding up on Cuba st, the heart of the city, for a quick refreshment. We will finish at the national Museum on the waterfront. Guests are guaranteed to come away from this tour with a better understanding of Wellington and New Zealand.

Get an insider's look into the behind-the-scenes of blockbuster movies on this tour of Weta Workshop. Including shuttle transfers from Wellington's city center, simply walk to the meeting spot and let your driver and guide sort out the logistics for the day. See props, costumes and more from movies including The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Avatar. Perfect for movie buffs.

Discover Wellington’s unique blend of colonial charm, political power, and waterfront energy on this immersive self-guided walking tour. Perfect for history lovers and culture seekers, it lets you explore New Zealand’s lively capital at your own pace. Starting at Wellington Station, your GPS-enabled tour guides you offline through Parliament grounds, Gothic churches, historic pubs, and the bustling shops of Lambton Quay, ending at Oriental Bay’s golden sands. Along the way, see the famous Beehive, the Old Bank Arcade, statues of Katherine Mansfield and Kupe, and New Zealand’s oldest pub. With 14 key highlights and 23 extra stops, you’ll spend 3–4 hours uncovering stories, architecture, and landmarks that bring Wellington’s heritage to life.

Witness Wellington from a perspective that most travelers miss with this harbour cruise experience. Hop aboard a fully electric passenger ferry and relax as you listen to tales of the city’s rich history, keeping an eye out for local cultural and ecological landmarks as the boat navigates Wellington Harbour (Te Whanganui-a-Tara).

Fans of “The Lord of the Rings” movies will love being immersed in the mythical universe for a day in the Wellington region. You’ll visit a number of places that appeared in the films, including rivers, forests, and a quarry. Spend time at Wētā Workshop, where the special effects for these films, and many others, were created and brought to life. This is a must-do tour for Tolkien enthusiasts.

An hour or so north of Wellington, Martinborough is fast making a name for itself as one of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading wine regions. Each weekend, Wellingtonians make the trek over the Remutakas to escape to this European-style wine village. This small group tour is a convenient way to visit Martinborough. There’s no need to stress about driving on country backroads, and no need to plan the day’s itinerary - leaving you to focus on the wine and the iconic scenery.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of contemporary New Zealand art with the Art Narratives Tour at Te Papa. This guided 60 minutes experience offers a unique look into Toi Art, showcasing artworks that span diverse cultures and mediums. Learn about the innovative expressions of Māori, Pacific, Asian-New Zealand, and international artists, including monumental sculptures and interactive pieces. Perfect for art enthusiasts and curious minds alike – this tour reveals how contemporary art continues to challenge, inspire, and unite us in modern Aotearoa. - 60 minutes guided tour through Toi Art, New Zealand's National Art Collection - Explore diverse works from Māori, Pacific, and international artists - Discover the contemporary art landscape in New Zealand This tour includes the international visitor entry charge. Domestic tour pricing is available on our website.

Enjoy an introduction to the highlights of Te Papa’s Māori *taonga,* meaning “cultural treasures” in te reo Māori language. Learn more about te ao Māori, or the Māori worldview, than you would wandering around the large museum alone. The tour includes the international visitor entry charge, allowing 2-day access to the museum, so you can explore the collections further after the enriching culture tour.

With filming for the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy taking place across so much of New Zealand, it can be tough to know how best to see the appropriate sights. On this half-day small-group tour, let your guide handle the itinerary as you visit filming locations, the theatre that hosted the world premiere of Return of the King, Weta Cave, and much more.

Enjoy a hassle-free end to your time in Wellington with this shared departure transfer to Wellington Airport. You will be picked up from your accommodation’s doorstep and transferred in a comfortable shuttle to the airport. It’s a budget-friendly alternative to the pricey private taxi rides as the fee remains the same, even if there’s traffic.

Wellington, long-celebrated for its bohemian liberal arts and cafe culture, is fast-becoming renowned as New Zealand’s capitol of craft beer. Visit four Wellington and Hutt Valley breweries, tasting a range of tasty local beers at each establishment on this small group day tour designed for lovers of ales, stouts, lagers and everything hoppy in-between.

Baring Head Lighthouse Walk The Baring Head Lighthouse Walk is a must-visit for those interested in the history and natural beauty of Wellington. The 6km round trip walk starts from the Wainuiomata car park and offers panoramic views across the Cook Strait and the distant Kaikoura Ranges. Along the trail, visitors can explore WWII-era bunkers and enjoy the unique geological formations. The lighthouse itself is a significant historical and functional landmark, standing 12.2 meters tall and powered by a solar-powered LED beacon. The area is part of a conservation effort, with ongoing restoration work including the refurbishment of the lighthouse keepers’ cottages and plans to transform the old powerhouse into a visitor center. New trails are also being developed to highlight the site’s rich history and ecological importance. Wellington Live

Board the InterIslander ferry for a 3.5-hour cruise across the Cook Strait, which links New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington, in the North Island to the Marlborough Sounds in the South Island. The Wellington to Picton ferry offers a daily 1-way service, with incredible views through the Marlborough Sounds, which are among the world’s most scenic waterways.

Built on hilly terrain, Wellington has many viewpoints from where you can take in the city views and natural vistas. On this half-day small-group shore excursion, explore the city while heading to three different viewpoints, along the way learning about the city’s filming heritage, local history, and political significance. Visit the special-effects Weta Cave with included entrance, ride the Wellington Cable Car, and enjoy hotel pickup for added convenience.

Did you know that the Wairarapa International Dark Sky Reserve has one of the darkest and clearest skies in New Zealand? Only 80km from the Wellington Airport, you get a personal astrobiologist and an astrophysicist to show you the Universe. We are Hari and Sam, and we created Star Safari out of our love of the night sky. • We invested in the best equipment for stargazing, with powerful telescopes and top-quality optics. We know our night sky - both our 16" telescopes are manual, and you can learn it too! • Advanced stargazers, bring your observing list. • Beginner stargazers, we will show you where to start. By the end of the session, you will know what's in the sky and how to orient yourself to the stars. Star Safari is a 90-minute experience with the Universe while seeing the best the amazing southern sky offers. If the weather is unsuitable for stargazing, we explore our sky in virtual reality. You get to ask questions. We deliver a learning experience just for you.

Whether it’s your first time in Wellington or you just want to see as much as possible during your time in port, this half-day sightseeing tour offers a great introduction to the city and a diverse range of sights. Visit the iconic special-effects Wētā Cave and the historic Old St. Paul’s Cathedral, ride the Wellington Cable Car to the top of the city, and enjoy panoramic views from Mount Victoria.