Top Wellington Day Trips

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.

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.

Combine award-winning wine and gorgeous scenery on a full-day small-group tour from Wellington to Martinborough that also explores the Hutt Valley, Rimutaka Ranges, Wairarapa coast, and Lake Onoke. You'll visit Martinborough wineries for cellar tours and tastings, pause for lunch in a vineyard restaurant, then eat dinner at the edge of Lake Onoke after a short shoreline hike. The tour includes a platter lunch, restaurant dinner, wine tasting, and hotel pickup.

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.

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.

Take a break from the city and spend the day in Martinborough, one of the finest food and drink destinations in the North Island. Enjoy the views as you leave Wellington and cross the Remutaka Ranges into the Wairarapa region. Visit a cheese factory, a chocolatier, and a winery, tasting some of the finest local produce as you go. Spend some free time in Martinborough at the end, sampling more food if you wish.

Book a shared arrival transfer from Wellington Airport to your hotel doorstep and enjoy a stress-free start to your trip. It’s a simple, cost-effective option that takes all the hassle out of arranging transportation after you land. Transport is by climate-controlled shuttle so you can sit back and enjoy the views in comfort on the drive into the city.

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.

Food and wine lovers enjoy a private tour from Wellington to Martinborough's renowned wine region. Taste exquisite wines at multiple venues, including exclusive tastings and a gourmet French-style lunch, while traveling comfortably in a private car or van with hotel pickup. This full-day experience offers a deeper look into local vineyards and culinary delights for a memorable day out of the capital.

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

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.

Tick off the top attractions of the Windy City on this private full-day tour of Wellington. Experience the myriad delights of New Zealand’s capital as you take in the views from Mt Victoria, spot seals at Red Rocks, then go behind-the-scenes with a short tour of the Weta Cave, where the special effects for Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were created. After a scrumptious lunch at the Chocolate Fish Café (included), ride the cable car over Wellington and visit landmarks like the Botanical Gardens, the Parliament Buildings and the Beehive.

Sip your way around Martinborough — a once sleepy colonial town that’s now a prominent wine village at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail — on this private day trip from Wellington. Following hotel or port pickup and a scenic drive through the Wairarapa, you’ll visit three of Martinborough’s renowned wineries. Enjoy a guided wine tasting at each and a lunch platter with wine at Poppies Martinborough. Then, choose to continue hopping around Martinborough’s wineries or travel to nearby Greytown, whose pretty streets are thronged with cafes and antique stores.

Kapiti Island is one of New Zealand’s best-kept nature sanctuaries and a predator-free haven for native birds. On this private day trip to the island, take a ferry from Paraparaumu Beach and spend your day walking the island, identifying kākā, kōkako, kererū and other native species with the help of your nature guide. Enjoy a chef-prepared lunch on the island before you head back to the mainland.

Discover Wellington’s top attractions on this full-day guided tour, ideal for first-time visitors or anyone short on time who wants to fit a lot into a day. See outer suburbs and city highlights including the Mt. Victoria lookout, a ride on the Wellington Cable Car, and a visit to Old St. Paul's Cathedral. Choose between a guided tour of Weta Workshop Studios or the Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary.

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.

Get a personal introduction to Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum, with a guided experience that adds meaning and context to what you see. Explore key highlights from the museum’s interactive exhibits, cultural collections, fine art, and natural history, while a guide shares stories and insight that bring the displays to life. Gain a deeper understanding of Māori heritage and New Zealand’s colonial history, and receive recommendations tailored to your interests so you can continue exploring with a richer perspective.

The tour will begin at any location between Wellington and Palmerston North, taking you and your camera around the Kapiti Coast and Manawatu Beaches, where you will capture the majestic Te Horo Beach, Waitarere Beach, Foxton Beach and more. On a one-day scenery photography tour, there is an opportunity to observe wildlife, practice macros and long exposure shots, and capture captivating coastal sunsets while exploring the panoramic beaches of Kapiti Coast and the Foxton area. The tour offers a distinctive experience, providing an opportunity to access isolated places and reveal the native wild landscapes to the camera. The tour can be booked as a private tour. The official tour page is https://bit.ly/kapititour/.

Our guests enjoy travelling in the comfort and luxury of modern electric Tesla SUVs , with zero emissions. We provide a private tour for you, offering flexibility in the itinerary and taking you to scenic locations that large tour buses do not offer. Tours are fully inclusive with no added extra charges. They include morning refreshments , lunch, and all entry fees. Complimentary Antipodes artesian mineral water, along with HEPA air conditioning. Please note venues may vary as a result of their availability.

Get out of Wellington city for the day on this exciting mountain bike outing on the Remutaka Cycle Trail, suitable for riders of all levels. Enjoy riding through bird-filled native forests, over bridges, and through rail tunnels at your own pace. Mountain bikes (pedal, not electric), gear, transport from central Wellington, and food are all taken care of so you can have active fun.

Martinborough is known as one of New Zealand's premier wine regions. This private tour takes you to three of the best Martinborough wineries, with tastings included. Cellar door experiences let you sample world-class wines while learning more about wine-production here. A few daily departure times are available, with hotel or port pickup from Wellington for your convenience, too.

The amazing region of Wairarapa. We head out of Wellington for the short journey over the Rimutaka Hill to explore Martinborough. Renowned not only for its micro climate but also for the many vineyards producing world class wines. Most notably, the Pinot Noir. We visit some of the best vineyards in Martinborough to experience their incredible hospitality and of course, we'll enjoy some delicious food as part of our time here too. You'll be driven safely to & from the region with a knowledgeable local host. We can't wait to have you!

One tour to rule them all...... You'll get to check out the filming locations of the magical Lord of the Rings trilogy & you also get to wander around the beautiful city. All hosted by expert guides! Including but not limited to the Outer Shire, Helm’s Deep, Minas Tirith, Isengard & Rivendell. We'll recreate some iconic scenes & enjoy some stunning scenery whilst we go! Your tour includes the 90-minute Weta Cave experience where you'll be taken behind the scenes of Weta Workshop.