Top Wellington Wildlife Encounters

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.

The Kiwi is one of New Zealand's national icons. The two kiwi on this tour are part of the NZ North Island Brown Kiwi Breeding Recovery Program. The kiwi are in their own private natural habitat, away from the public. They share this with two ruru (morepork or brown owl). This kiwi tour is an incredibly intimate experience, in groups of up to 10 people. The experience offers you an up-close viewing advantage of the ever-elusive kiwi in its natural habitat. Private tours also available. For bigger groups we do waves of 10 people at a time.

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.

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.

Travelers with limited time in Wellington can enjoy a half-day “The Lord of the Rings” tour with hotel pickup and skip-the-line access. Visit the Hobbiton Woods filming location on Mt. Victoria, explore Weta Workshop's special effects exhibits, and see the theater that hosted the films' world premieres. This tour offers a convenient way to experience key filming locations and behind-the-scenes insights while in the capital.

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.

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.

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.

Escape from Wellington for the day on this private fully-day tour of the beautiful Kapiti Coast. Enjoy a variety of sights and attractions to suit your needs and interests, including the views from Paekakariki Hill, the Nga Manu Wildlife Centre, and the Tuatara Brewery. This is an ideal tour for travelers short on time in the Wellington region who want to explore beyond the city.

This accommodation option is inside the nature reserve, meaning you have unlimited access to the reserve during your stay and the whole place to yourself after hours. It is a self-contained wooden lodge with one bedroom and two single beds, and a double pull out couch. It hosts a kitchette, washing machine and dryer, and private bathroom.

Get out of Wellington city for the day and enjoy the rural atmosphere of Martinborough and the South Wairarapa wine country on this private full-day wineries tour. Over the day you’ll visit four wineries and enjoy tastings at each, plus a delicious lunch at one. The tour is customizable so you can request specific wineries in advance.