Top Wellington Sightseeing Tours

Discover Wellington's creative soul and dramatic natural setting with your self-guided audio tour, allowing you to explore New Zealand's compact capital at your own pace. Begin at Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum whose innovative exhibitions explore Māori culture, Pacific identity. Ride the cable car from Lambton Quay to the Botanic Garden where panoramic views sweep across the harbor to the Rimutaka Range while native bush and Victorian gardens cascade down the hillside. Explore the historic waterfront where the Museum of New Zealand, Old St Paul's wooden cathedral, and the regenerated Clyde Quay Wharf create a precinct celebrating the nation's maritime heritage. Experience the film industry legacy of Peter Jackson in the suburban studios where Lord of the Rings and Avatar came to life, then catch a sunset from Mount Victoria's summit.

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.

As New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington has a long history filled with stories of both Maori peoples and Western settlers. Explore the city on this half-day tour, riding the steep cable car to the summit to take in stunning views, discovering hidden gems around the city, and passing by some of Wellington’s most popular tourist attractions.

An emissions free tour of our natural and maritime history. Join us on the Southern Hemisphere's first and only fully-electric passenger ferry, Ika Rere, for a zero emissions tour of Wellington Harbour. Learn about the history of Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington as the capital city, our local maritime history and natural environment as we take you on a 90 minute cruise around the harbour. Our tour takes in different parts of the harbour depending on conditions on the day. We're the busiest operator on Wellington Harbour at over 9,000 crossings per year, so our team knows where to go to take in all the best sights, regardless of conditions.

Visiting Wellington's sights on foot can be challenging as the city is so hilly, and attractions are spread out. This half-day small-group guided van tour takes you to top attractions including Lyall Bay, the Weta Cave, and the Lady Norwood Rose Garden. Enjoy a ride on the Wellington Cable Car for panoramic city views, with hotel pickup included for a seamless experience.

Get to know Wellington on this private guided tour with hotel pickup. Take in spectacular views from Mount Victoria, the Wind Turbine, and the Cable Car. Visit Oriental Bay, the Rose Gardens, and Peter Jackson’s restored art-deco Roxy Cinema. Sample a Kiwi meat pie and local craft beer at included stops for a well-rounded city experience.

First-time visitors to Wellington who want to see some of the capital’s must-visit attractions as well as its less-frequented spots will love this small-group half-day tour. Head up to the Mt. Victoria Lookout for panoramic views, learn more about “The Lord of the Rings” at the Weta Workshop Studios, take a drive around the scenic Miramar Peninsula, and more. Enjoy an optional ride on the iconic Wellington Cable Car.

Experience New Zealand’s bird life in the early evening on a guided 2.5-hour tour of Zealandia, a wildlife sanctuary located on Wellington’s outskirts. This after-hours tour takes place during the most active period for many resident animals, when they transition from daytime to nighttime activity. The tour also includes general Zealandia admission on the day of the tour or the following day, for further daytime exploration.

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.

Gain entry to Zealandia at night and take a guided tour of Zealandia: The Exhibition, which showcases New Zealand’s natural history. Interact with a life-size model moa and Haast’s eagle — both extinct — and learn about the country’s conservation efforts to preserve other native species. Located just minutes from central Wellington, Zealandia includes a night tour of Sanctuary Valley, a fenced eco-sanctuary and safe haven for endemic animal and bird species such as the nocturnal little spotted kiwi.

This private tour ensures visitors their own dedicated driver/guide for the entirety of the experience. This tour captures the best of Wellington, including scenic drives of the bays; a visit to the famous Weta Cave and Workshop; a variety of memorials and monuments; the Parliament buildings; and Old St. Paul’s Cathedral. This tour is filled with history and culture.

Rather than exploring the Remutaka Range’s natural sights and landmarks by car, get up close to nature on this full-day small-group tour by hopping on an e-bike and riding the Remutaka Cycle Trail. Take in views of native forests, historic railway systems, craggy mountainous landscapes, and much more as you cycle through a range of habitats.

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.

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.

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.

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.

See Wellington with ease, thanks to this private half-day adventure. Set off in a luxurious yet eco-friendly vehicle—an electric Tesla SUV, so you can cruise around the city in style. To make the day as hassle-free as possible, the tour includes lunch as well as admission to the sights visited along the way.

It can be hard to know where to begin if you’re short on time in Wellington. This guided tour is ideal for cruise passengers. Starting with great views from the Mount Victoria lookout, you’ll be driven around Oriental Bay, the Miramar Peninsula, and the winding southern coastline. In between, enjoy stops at Weta Workshop’s Weta Cave shop, a coastal cafe for lunch, and more.

This tour is a perfect introduction to the highlights of Wellington from the comfort and luxury of electric Tesla SUVs with panoramic glass windows. We provide a private tour just for you, offering flexibility in the itinerary and taking you to scenic locations around the city and bay area. Tours are fully inclusive with no added extra charges. They include refreshments and any entry fees. Complimentary Antipodes artesian mineral water, along with HEPA air conditioning.

Your Wellington Half Day tour is crafted specifically for you, your family & friends. We are Jo & Suzee, your passionate Wellingtonians. We will introduce you to the Wellington that locals love. Discover the stunning scenery, our local food & hear fabulous stories of our funky capital city. Ride the iconic Cable Car, check out the beaches & take in the fabulous views from the wind turbine or the Mt Victoria lookout. As owner/operator guides, we are your local friend for the day - prepare for laughter, real conversations, discovery and unforgettable memories. • Your tour is private; pick up & drop off included, we get you away from the crowds. • We offer flexible itineraries that go beyond the guidebooks; you will get a good sense of life in Wellington. • Be comfortable; relax in our environmentally friendly vehicles & grab local treats from the cooler. We know where the toilets are. • If you have any mobility requirements, we are here to help. Get in touch, we’d love to connect.

During our tour, we provide opportunities to get out of the vehicle, stretch your legs & get some fresh air. Our friendly guides will even be your photographer for the day! After collecting our guests in the city, we start the day on a high (excuse the pun) by heading up to the Mount Victoria lookout. From there we zip to Lyall Bay beach on the way to the Weta Cave where you'll hop out to visit the Weta store. After a break for lunch you get a ride on the Cable Car & after we collect you at the top, we head downtown to Parliament/Beehive & the Lady Norwood Rose Garden. We may as well visit Old St Pauls church whilst we're there but as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

Lift off above the city of Wellington on a 9-minute helicopter flight that gives a thrilling perspective on New Zealand's capital. You'll get aerial views of the Museum of New Zealand, Parliament House, and the forests and trails that surround the city center. On clear days, watch the Marlborough Sounds and the Southern Alps appear on the horizon, then soar across Wellington's Queens Wharf as you fly back towards the helipad. This helicopter tour of Wellington includes personal headsets so you don't miss a word of the pilot's commentary.

Our guests enjoy travelling in the comfort and luxury of 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.