All Wellington Tours & Excursions in 2026

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.

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.

Journey out to Wellington’s south coast, looking out over the Cook Strait, and visit the region’s only fur seal colony. Journey out to Karori Rock’s "leaning lighthouse" to meet this thriving community of once-endangered critters. Tea, coffee, and snacks are provided so you can relax and watch the seals in this isolated area that even many Wellingtonians don't know about.

Immerse yourself in movie history with this tour of Wētā Workshop. Follow your guide as you see props, costumes, and more from blockbusters including The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Learn how everything is made and other behind-the-scenes facts as you go. Perfect for movie buffs.

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.

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.

Zealandia is the world’s first fully-fenced urban eco-sanctuary and home to some of New Zealand’s most extraordinary wildlife. This 2-hour guided walking tour will introduce you to native birds such as kakariki, tui, and bellbirds; rare species like takahē; and unique reptiles including green gecko and tuatara. Entrance fees are included.

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.

Take the scenic route from Wellington to Auckland and enjoy one of New Zealand’s most spectacular train routes. Hop aboard for a dramatic journey through the Tongariro National Park, passing along the Kapiti Coast, through the Waikato countryside, and beneath the towering peaks of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu mountains.

Board the InterIslander ferry for a 3.5-hour cruise across the Cook Strait, which links New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington, in the North Island to the Marlborough Sounds in the South Island. The Wellington to Picton ferry offers a daily 1-way service, with incredible views through the Marlborough Sounds, which are among the world’s most scenic waterways.

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.

Built on hilly terrain, Wellington has many viewpoints from where you can take in the city views and natural vistas. On this half-day small-group shore excursion, explore the city while heading to three different viewpoints, along the way learning about the city’s filming heritage, local history, and political significance. Visit the special-effects Weta Cave with included entrance, ride the Wellington Cable Car, and enjoy hotel pickup for added convenience.

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.

Explore Tahiti on a half-day exploration on the coast of your choice. Depending on your preferences, opt for the wilder, greener East Coast or the West Coast, famous for its beaches and spectacular sunsets. If you choose the East Coast, you will be immersed in a wilderness where the mountains flow into the ocean. You will discover the mythical Point Venus and its historic lighthouse, the impressive cliffs sculpted by wind and waves, and the peaceful waterfalls hidden in the heart of tropical vegetation. If you opt for the West Coast, the journey will take you along white sandy beaches and crystal clear lagoons. Stop at the Maraa Caves, mysterious cavities surrounded by greenery, at the Tahiti Museum (optional), then continue to the famous surf spots, where the waves come to embrace the reef with power. And finally, you will end up with the Vahipai Water Garden.

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.

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.

Get an insider's look into the behind-the-scenes of blockbuster movies on this tour of Weta Workshop. Including shuttle transfers from Wellington's city center, simply walk to the meeting spot and let your driver and guide sort out the logistics for the day. See props, costumes and more from movies including The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Avatar. Perfect for movie buffs.

Our Wellington’s Chocoholics Walking Odyssey includes a minimum of 6 delicious tastings, dotted with cultural and historical commentary. Learn the meaning of the Wellington chocolate scene through your local guide who is passionate about all things Wellington. The perfect experience to capture some of Wellington’s best, hidden chocolate treasures. Your tour will begin with an iconic chocolate nibble and a ride on the Cable Car with a walk through the Botanical Gardens to the first chocolate stop.

This locally guided food walking tour includes all tastings and a real insight into the life of a local. As they say, you can't beat Wellington on a good day and while we can't control the weather, we do like to make it a great days while you're exploring the city with us. The tour includes coffee, chocolate, a second generation owned restaurant, a gorgeous waterfront eatery with a special purpose and maybe the answer to the question 'where is the best cheese scone?" And we're topping it off with craft beer, charcuterie and cheese. Wellington is the culinary capital of New Zealand and we love you all our hidden gems! It's a slow paced walking tour that shared the character, culture and history of this great capital city along the way. There is time to stop and buy if you would like to and our very knowledgeable team are more than happy to set you right for places to eat and enjoy during your tour! All guests must be over 18 to try any alcohol

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.

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.