Things to do in  Wellington

Looming out of the land at the end of Courtenay Place, Mt. Victoria is deeply embedded in the life of Wellington’s central city. Standing at more than 640 feet (195 meters) at its highest point, the Mt. Victoria Lookout offers 360-degree views of Wellington stretching out past the scenic harbor.

Operating since 1902, the Wellington Cable Car is one of the city’s most famous sights. The ride, from the central business district to the city’s tranquil botanic garden, offers a stunning light show inside the tunnels as well as gorgeous vistas of Mount Victoria and Wellington Harbour as you reach the top.

From fantastical costumes and prosthetics to large-scale props and weaponry, 3D models, and animatronics, New Zealand’s Weta Workshop is a one-stop-shop for movie special effects. Most famous for their Academy Award-winning work on theLord of the Rings films, the studio has also worked on films includingGodzilla,Avatar, andSpiderman.

Located on Wellington’s waterfront, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (better known simply as Te Papa) holds massive collections of New Zealand art and artifacts. Hear stories from local communities, see some of the best contemporary Aotearoa art, and entertain your kids while teaching them about the world at the museum’s Discovery Centres.

Old St. Paul’s Old St. Paul’s Cathedral might look out of place nestled in the Wellington suburb of Thorndon, surrounded by multistory offices and modern apartment buildings—but this heritage-listed edifice was there long before any of them. Built in 1866, the beautiful and impeccably preserved Gothic church was constructed from native timber. The Basics Though it no longer holds Sunday services, Old St. Paul’s remains Wellington’s oldest Anglican church. After a long battle to prevent its demolition in the 1960s, the building is now managed by Heritage New Zealand, who open the church to visitors almost every day of the year. Its impressive interior houses an interactive exhibition, “Read This Building,” that details the building’s construction. Old St. Paul’s is a popular stop for Wellington sightseeing tours, including shore excursions. Guided tours of the cathedral are available for a small fee. Things to Know Before You Go Entry to the church is by donation. The Old St. Paul’s gift shop sells locally made souvenirs; all proceeds go toward preservation work on the cathedral. Brochures about the church’s history and architecture are available in a number of languages. Old St. Paul’s is wheelchair accessible, though some aisles may be too narrow for motorized chairs. How to Get There The cathedral is centrally located in Wellington, a block from the New Zealand Parliament Buildings and a roughly 5-minute walk from Lambton Quay. If you’re traveling by bus or train, get off at the interchange/railway station and head north up Mulgrave Street. When to Get There Old St. Paul’s is open during normal business hours except on most public holidays and when there is a private function. Visit on a sunny day—you can take a picnic and relax on the cathedral’s leafy grounds before or after your tour. Old St. Paul’s Unique Architecture Old St. Paul’s Cathedral is a classic Gothic Revival church and is known in particular for its grand interior design. The cathedral is built from rich brown native timber; in the building’s nave, the timber has been curved into huge arches, like the hull of an old wooden ship. The church is lined with stained glass windows and features a bold stained glass triptych behind the altar.

New Zealand’s architectural symbol is the domed Parliament House in Wellington. Hosting the executive wing of Parliament, “the Beehive” was built between 1969 and 1981 and features murals and artworks by noted New Zealand artists. The building has 10 floors above ground including cabinet rooms and prime ministerial offices.

Zealandia Ecosanctuary is a unique wildlife conservation park in Karori, just minutes from central Wellington. A premier eco-attraction, the fully fenced urban project has restored much of the flora and fauna that once surrounded the city. Forest and wetlands provide habitat for more than 40 native bird species, amphibians, and reptiles.

The rural lifestyle and country charm of New Zealand’s heartland are revealed on a trip to the Wairarapa region, an area of sheep-raising, vineyards, and outdoor activities such as horseback riding and hiking through forest parks. Organized bike tours that take in the region’s farms and family-run wineries are most popular.

Wellington’s Red Rocks Reserve (Pariwhero) is a site of cultural and geological significance, which you can admire during an easy coastal walk or bike ride. The 4.5-mile (7.5-kilometer) track runs from Owhiro Bay in southern Wellington to Red Rocks Reserve. Enjoy ocean views and fur seals basking in the sun (and wind) along the way.

Home to dance companies, artist collectives, hip start-ups, and more, Wellington’s Cuba Street district is bristling with creative energy. The action is centered along a pedestrian mall, a hot spot for buskers and street performers that’s lined with historical buildings and full of stylish, artsy stores, cafés, and restaurants.

One of New Zealand’s oldest gardens, Wellington Botanic Garden is an escape from the clamor of the city, in the city. Right behind the Wellington CBD in Thorndon, this 62-acre (25-hectare) garden is full of native and exotic plants. Stroll along one of the many calm, tranquil paths and take some relaxing time away from the urban jungle.

In an unassuming hangar off the South Island’s Kapiti Expressway is one of the southern hemisphere’s largest collections of vintage cars. The Southward Car Museum displays more than 400 vehicles, ranging from turn-of-the-century models and slick 1960s luxury cars to million-dollar Bugattis and immaculately-preserved family sedans.

The Wellington Museum, a Victorian-era warehouse on the Wellington waterfront, showcases the city’s stories and secrets. Get a taste for life in early Wellington, and follow its development from tribal land to colonial port—filled with sailors and seafarers—to, as coined by Lonely Planet, the “coolest little capital in the world.”

Permanent and touring exhibitions of contemporary art are displayed at City Gallery Wellington (Te Whare Toi). Works by New Zealand artists are highlighted along with a lively program of contemporary visual arts, architecture, and design. Major international exhibitions are likely to be staged at the gallery, all with free admission.

Staglands Wildlife Reserve, a peaceful escape about an hour outside of Wellington’s hustle and bustle, is fun for children and big kids of all ages. Walk through a custom-designed nature park full of animals, from wild goats and guinea pigs to rainbow trout and endangered native birds, and feed and get to know these friendly critters.