Top Wellington Day Trips

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

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.

One tour to rule them all...... You'll get to check out the filming locations of our magical Lord of the Rings trilogy & you also get to wander around our beautiful city. All hosted by our 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.

Discover the Remutaka Ranges' rich rail history & natural beauty on an eBike (electric bike). The flagship daytrip of the Remutaka Cycle Trail, this is suitable for riders of all levels, 28km of easy/moderate riding. Cycle through native forest, over bridges and through tunnels while enjoying views of the landscape and the old railway system. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch at the Summit and embark on a fun descent to Cross Creek in the Wairarapa, home to some of New Zealand’s most scenic farmland. Follow the countryside to the Royal Hotel in Featherston. You will be provided with everything for your adventure - transport to and from Wellington, eBikes with trunk bags for your personal effects, and all food - so all you need to do is wear appropriate clothing and be ready to ride! Please note this tour is for an eBike, if you would prefer to ride a Mountain Bike please select this day trip instead: 'Remutaka Rail Trail Mountain Bike Explorer Cycle Tour'.

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.

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.

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.

Discover the Remutaka Ranges' rich rail history & natural beauty on an eBike (electric bike). The flagship daytrip of the Remutaka Cycle Trail, this is suitable for riders of all levels, and can be lengthened or shortened to suit you. 28km of easy/moderate riding. Cycle through native forest, over bridges and through tunnels while enjoying views of the landscape and the old railway system. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch at the Summit and embark on a fun descent to Cross Creek in the Wairarapa, home to some of New Zealand’s most scenic farmland. You will be provided with everything for your adventure - transport to and from Wellington, eBikes with trunk bags for your personal effects, and all food - so all you need to do is wear appropriate clothing and be ready to ride! Please note this tour is for an eBike, if you would prefer to ride a Mountain Bike please select this day trip instead: 'Remutaka Rail Trail Mountain Bike Explorer Cycle Tour'.

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

Beginner and advanced cyclists alike will enjoy this fun cycling tour through the Remutaka Ranges, on the Remutaka Cycle Trail. The easy-to-moderate trail is suitable for most riders who are up for an adventure, and the standard 11 mile (18 kilometer) route can be lengthened or shortened to suit your needs. Enjoy the forested scenery that you’ll ride through, and learn more about the history of this area from your local guides.

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.

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.

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.

Well if your expectations are high for this tour, we fully expect to meet them! We start in the city but head on up to the beautiful Kapiti Coast. Our guide will provide some running commentary as you go & please feel free to ask all & any questions. Southwards Car Museum is truly world class. Over 2 levels of automotive history all for your viewing pleasure. Now whilst it would be easy to spend hours here, we have other things we can't wait to share with you! We head to the Hutt Valley to Cars Inc to view a private collection of machinery. Exclusive to Ka Rawe tours, grab yourself a coffee & a snack whilst you're here before checking out this totally unique collection. Then we'll take a detour to Petone, the location of the original settlers. Take a leisurely stroll up quaint Jackson Street as you make your way to Gear Street Union. We'll grab a seat & you'll get to sample some of NZ's finest beverages. Of course, alcohol is only for those over 18 years of age. What a day out!

Kapiti full day tour 7 hours (approximate) Entrance fees, lunch and refreshments are all included in the price. We pick you up from your choice of Wellington location at 9.30am and head north stopping at Pukerua Bay to capture the superb views of Kapiti Island and the coastline. We detour at Raumati to follow the coast up to Paraparaumu Beach where we stop briefly to take in the sea air. Then its on to the internationally acclaimed Southward Car Museum, followed by a delicious lunch at the locally-loved Long Beach Cafe in Waikanae Beach. After lunch we visit Nga Manu Reserve which offers you a unique opportunity to have a hands-on experience with nature. See New Zealand’s rare Brown Kiwi in the nocturnal house and meet native birds in walk-through aviaries. Watch or participate in feeding endangered long-fin eels, spot native geckos and even get up close to the ancient tuatara.

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.

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.

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!

Explore the stunning Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, New Zealand’s premier captive breeding facility, just a scenic two-hour drive from Wellington. Nestled in 942 hectares of ancient Podocarp Forest, this sanctuary is home to unique endangered species including the iconic takahē and Manakara, the only white kiwi in captivity. Don't miss the cheeky kākā parrots at the Kākā Cafe while you soak in the natural beauty around you. - Scenic 2-hour drive through the Rimutaka Hills from Wellington - Explore diverse wildlife and learn about conservation efforts - Join the 1 hour tour - meet the kiwi - Feed the eels _Minium of 2 people to max of 5 people Return journey 2.30pm arrive back in Wellington approx 4.30pm

You can’t go behind the scenes of Wellington's legendary film industry on your own. On this tour, you’ll get exclusive access to Wētā Workshop, where iconic films like *Lord of the Rings* and *Avatar* come to life. Walk actual LOTR filming locations at Mount Victoria, then visit Stansborough Mill's working 19th-century looms that created Middle-earth's legendary costumes. You’re guaranteed real film artifacts and insider stories you won't find anywhere else.

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.