All Wellington Tours &amp; Excursions in 2026

Wellington 90 minute Harbour Cruise

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Wellington: Wētā Workshop 90-minute Tour

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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.

Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour

6 hours to 6 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Northern Explorer Train Journey from Wellington to Auckland

11 hours

4.1

(531)

from $143

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.

Wellington's Original HD LOTR Experience - includes Weta Tour

3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa: International Visitor Entry

2 daysFree Cancellation

Seal Coast Safari - Exclusive access to Wellington's secret coast

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, led by local guides supporting a family-owned business, 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.

1/2 Day Guided Wellington Tour incl. Cable Car (Vans not buses)

Zealandia by Day: Small group native forest and wildlife tour

2 hoursFree Cancellation

InterIslander Ferry - Wellington to Picton

Price varies by group size

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.

Half Day Tour of Wellington

3 hours 20 minutesFree Cancellation

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.

Half Day Martinborough Winery Tour from Wellington

5 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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.

Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Full Day Guided Wellington Tour including entry to Te Papa

6 hoursFree Cancellation

The Kiwi Night Encounter offers one of the best chances in New Zealand to see kiwi up close, an experience many describe as a must-do in New Zealand. Your evening begins in the visitor centre, where experienced guides introduce you to kiwi and the conservation work behind their protection. You’ll then be guided to a purpose-built habitat designed to support natural kiwi behaviour while allowing for quiet, respectful observation. As darkness falls, a resident pair of North Island brown kiwi emerge to forage — probing the ground, moving through the undergrowth, and displaying their natural nocturnal behaviours. Small group sizes ensure a calm, low-impact environment throughout the experience. While kiwi are the focus, Ruru (morepork) are often seen and heard overhead and may be observed flying through the habitat as they feed — offering a glimpse into the wider nocturnal ecosystem. Ngā Manu is a working conservation reserve, and all encounters are shaped around the wellbeing of animals.

Kiwi Night Encounter at Nga Manu Nature Reserve

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Calling all chocolate lovers! Indulge in Wellington’s sweetest experience on our 3.5-hour Chocoholics Walking Food Tour, a small-group tour with just 2 to 10 guests for a more personal and relaxed experience. Discover Wellington through its finest chocolate and sweet treats as you visit a selection of local chocolatiers, cafés and specialty food stops. Along the way, enjoy generous tastings while learning about the people, stories and craftsmanship behind Wellington’s thriving chocolate scene. Your adventure also includes a ride on Wellington’s iconic Cable Car, offering beautiful views over the city and adding another memorable experience to your day. Whether you’re a dedicated chocoholic or simply enjoy discovering local food experiences, this tour is the perfect combination of chocolate, sightseeing and Wellington’s unique culture.

Wellington Chocoholics Walking Odyssey

Wētā Workshop Guided Transfers & Tour

3 hours 15 minutesFree Cancellation

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.

Wellington's Original LOTR Experience - includes Weta and Lunch

8 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Zealandia - Twilight Guided Eco Wildlife Tour

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

You’ll see native wildlife and farm animals throughout New Zealand, but at Staglands Wildlife Reserve get up close with some of the country’s remarkable fauna. This entry ticket makes it easy to plan your day out at Staglands. Catch a glimpse of native birds flitting between native forest stands or meet some of New Zealand’s unique aquatic life. Catch the lunchtime feeding tour or tractor–trailer rides at select times.

Staglands Wildlife Reserve Entry Ticket

2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Martinborough Foodie Half Day Tour from Wellington

5 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Wellington City to Coast Highlights Tour (with Lunch)

5 hoursFree Cancellation

Capital Bites, A food tour of Wellington

3 hoursFree Cancellation

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Must-Dos in Wellington

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What are people saying about Wellington

Discover Wellington 3 hour City Tour

David_D, Nov 2026

First Wellington insights

It's a good tour to get to know Wellington. Pickup and drop off worked brilliantly. Paul our driver/guide is experienced, very knowledgeable and has a store of random jokes. The Cable Car ride at the end is a must, but the rainstorm at the top made that element less fun.

1/2 Day Guided Wellington Tour incl. Cable Car (Vans not buses)

Ralf_R, Nov 2026

Experience Wellington

It was a wonderful drive by car through Wellington. Our very friendly driver William stopped at all the important sights and explained everything to us very well. Unfortunately, it rained on this day, so there was no good view from the upper viewpoints. The pictures and videos that William additionally played for us in German on the car's display were particularly impressive. We can recommend this excursion to everyone.

Half Day Martinborough Winery Tour from Wellington

Kevin_N, Nov 2026

Wine Food and Scenery

What a fantastic day! A beautiful 1.5-hour drive north of Wellington through some gorgeous scenery, with a couple of photo stops along the way. Our guide and driver was excellent, providing loads of interesting information about the region, its history and local area. We visited three vineyards and sampled over a dozen wines, with each stop offering something different. Lunch at the second vineyard was fantastic, making for a wonderful opportunity to relax, enjoy some great food and, of course, more wine! On the return journey, we also made a quick stop at a gourmet cheese shop, a lovely little bonus to finish off the experience. The tour was well organized, relaxed and paced perfectly, getting us back to Wellington by 5 pm without feeling rushed. A wonderful combination of beautiful scenery, excellent wines, great food and interesting local insights. Just a lovely day! Highly recommend this tour.

Wellington's Original LOTR Experience - includes Weta and Lunch

Dianne_S, Oct 2026

Above and beyond!

Our tour guide was warm, welcoming, knowledgeable and made our day! He took us around even when there was low numbers. Very much appreciate this company and this guide that they would take a group tour even if it was only us! Was great to learn all the behind the scenes information that our guide had, as well as more about NZ and its culture. We would recommend this tour to any fan. Thank you to Waiwai for the excellent tour!

Seal Coast Safari - Exclusive access to Wellington's secret coast

Kevin_N, Oct 2026

Seals Sand and Surf

An absolute hidden gem and one of the best-kept secrets in Wellington! This experience was a wonderful change from the usual crowded tourist attractions. It felt like having our own private beach, with seals lounging everywhere and not another person in sight. We didn’t even encounter another vehicle for over two hours! The private access road takes you down to a beautiful, secluded beach, with spectacular scenery and amazing views along Turbine Road. The drive down is an adventure in itself, with narrow, steep and winding sections. Our guide and driver, Graham, was extremely cautious and professional, making us feel completely safe throughout the journey. Graham was also full of interesting information about the area and its history. To top it all off, he provided coffee and snacks on the beach, making the experience even more enjoyable. If you’re looking for something different, away from the crowds, with incredible scenery and plenty of seals, this is the experience for you. Highly recommended! Don’t miss this one when visiting Wellington.

Wellington: Wētā Workshop 90-minute Tour

Jennifer_G, Oct 2026

A fun tour for movie fans

This was a fun tour especially for LOTR fans but we didn’t realize how many other films that WETA Workshop worked on. Our tour guide Nessy was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable - everyone in the group enjoyed seeing the props, techniques, and photo ops. The workshop is located in a neighborhood outside of the downtown area but we easily found a ride share both ways. Well done and lots of fun.

3+ Hour Guided Wellington Tour by Electric Bike

Stacey_B, Oct 2026

Spectacular waterfront ride

Tara was a great guide The weather in the morning was raining and cold so we hesitated do it but lucky for us the sun came out and we had a great ride. She gave us a bit of history and took us up to the highest view point. The ride along the waterfront was spectacular. Highly recommend this tour

Wellington's Original HD LOTR Experience - includes Weta Tour

Jan_S, Apr 2026

Don’t miss the Wellington LOTR half day excursion!!!

So, so awesome!! Our drive/tour guide had been an extra on several occasions and was just had a wealth of knowledge. We were overjoyed with the Weta experience and our Guide there was a nerd—happily so—and yay! For us as he, too, lived, ate and breathed info about LOTR movies and Weta’s part in the productions. We will definitely seek out Viator excursions vs. cruise ship excursions! Thank you!!!!

Zealandia - Twilight Guided Eco Wildlife Tour

ekadkins859yahoocom, Mar 2026

You won't be disappointed!

Different times of day will significantly impact birds seen/heard. Twilight hours tour yielded great variety. Guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic to share her knowledge. Wish we'd had more time in our schedule to go through Zealandia and read more of the info on the signs.