All Wellington Tours &amp; Excursions in 2026

Wellington 90 minute Harbour Cruise

(339)

from US$54

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Northern Explorer Train Journey from Wellington to Auckland

(22)

from US$48

11 hours

4.1

(526)

from US$152

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

4.6

(163)

from US$183

Don't forget to grab a photo by our iconic Cave Trolls.

Wellington: Wētā Workshop 90-minute Tour

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

(986)

from US$36

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

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

(355)

from US$119

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.

(186)

from US$78

Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

InterIslander Ferry - Wellington to Picton

(151)

from US$73

Kaitaki travelling through the Marlborough Sounds.

Price varies by group size

4.0

(428)

from US$63

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

4.6

(332)

from US$107

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.

The Gateway Tower in Rivendell, set in 1000 year old rainforest.
The only set outside of Hobbiton

Wellington's Original LOTR Experience - includes Weta and Lunch

8 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.

(599)

from US$198

Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa: International Visitor Entry

Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa: International Visitor Entry

2 daysFree Cancellation

4.6

(72)

from US$21

A day tour group checking out the kaka feeding stations

Zealandia by Day - Small Group 2-Hour Eco Wildlife Tour

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

(245)

from US$43

Chocoholics Walking Odyssey Wellington

5.0

(6)

from US$153

Remutaka Rail Trail eBike Explorer

6 hoursFree Cancellation

5.0

(44)

from US$146

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

4.7

(666)

from US$78

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

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.

(496)

from US$122

Shared cheese platter at C'est Cheese Artisan Cheese and Deli

Martinborough Foodie Half Day Tour from Wellington

5 hoursFree Cancellation

4.7

(110)

from US$116

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

(271)

from US$131

Kapiti Island is one of New Zealand’s best-kept nature sanctuaries and a predator-free haven for native birds. On this private day trip to the island, take a ferry from Paraparaumu Beach and spend your day walking the island, identifying kākā, kōkako, kererū and other native species with the help of your nature guide. Enjoy a chef-prepared lunch on the island before you head back to the mainland.

Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour

5 to 6 hoursFree Cancellation

Lord of the Rings 1/2 day Tour to rule them all incl. Weta Tour

(552)

from US$198

You excursion includes the 90 minute Weta Cave Experience

Wētā Workshop Guided Transfers & Tour

(16)

from US$114

Step into Wētā Workshop Experiences and explore a world of creativity, physical effects and movie magic on a guided tour through our creative home base.

3 hours 15 minutesFree Cancellation

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.

(170)

from US$64

Wellington city heights shared sightseeing tour

5 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.

(252)

from US$113

Zealandia - Twilight Guided Eco Wildlife Tour

Zealandia - Twilight Guided Eco Wildlife Tour

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Lord of The Rings Full Day locations tour incl Weta & keepsake

(74)

from US$67

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Top Attractions in Wellington

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What are people saying about Wellington

Wendy_H, Aug 2026

A Great Day out!

Nathan was a very nice guy, showing us all the sites with pictures taken during the LOTR filming to show how it was. Nothing was too much trouble for him and his enthusiasm for his town, LOTR and NZ was infectious. He had lots of information about the filming, the director and current filming to impart. He was also able to share about living in Wellington for us to compare with living overseas. He took us to a local bakery to grab lunch with the local option very cheap but good and an art deco cinema next door with more luxury and a price tag to match. So we could have our choice with no fuss or hassle. The weta workshop was way more interesting than we had expected and the whole day was very enjoyable with a few little surprises from Nathan along the way. Highly recommend this tour.

Half Day Martinborough Winery Tour from Wellington

Amanda_H, Aug 2026

Great trip

Great wine tour! Phil provided great some great insight into the wineries we were attending. He knew a lot about the wines too. Was a small group so very personal tour. The roads to Martinborough were extremely windy but Phil was safe so no concerns there.

Wellington's Original LOTR Experience - includes Weta and Lunch

Henry_H, Aug 2026

Must do experience for all LOTR fans!!

If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan and coming to NZ, I would go to Wellington just to do this!! The weta workshop was amazing and then visiting all of the locations around Wellington where LOTR was shot was breathtaking. Our guide Sarah was so knowledgeable of not just LOTR but also Wellington and all of the surrounding areas. She brought props for photo opportunities at filming locations as well as snacks and drinks for everyone along the way. Truely an unforgettable experience and I can’t recommend this enough.

Wellington: Wētā Workshop 90-minute Tour

Fiona_M, Jul 2026

Great experience at Weta Workshop

It was a fantastic experience i was amazed at how much Weta had been involved in! I would say not for a younger child , but great for teens And adults who love movies! I ended up watching Krampus when we got back to the hotel just because I saw one of the puppets at the Weta workshop! Also got to talk to a couple of the creators who were working that day. Met the “gloop” guy, he made 8,000 litres of gloop for the Matirx movies 🤣

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

Aimee_F, Jul 2026

Would do it again

This is a great way to spend half a day in Wellington. The first stop is quite interesting and the drive to the coast is pretty amazing. The coastline here is so dramatic. It really was spectacular to visit. Also, the guide, Grant, was knowledgeable and friendly and made the day very pleasant.

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

MariaRose_B, May 2026

Must tour with Nathan

Nathan was wonderful. Highly recommend his tour to anyone visiting Wellington. His fun attitude, his knowledge of the city and his story telling of important events and people of Wellington allowed us to learn to appreciate and know the Kiwis and the Maori. Icing to the tour experience, we can now claim that a celebrity toured us - Nathan played "Orc" ( if you are a Lord of the Rings or Hobbit fan) Nathan is a gentle Orc.

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!!!!

Remutaka Rail Trail eBike Explorer

Dan_D, Mar 2026

AMAZING Ride with Nature

This was truly amazing. Such beautiful natural landscapes, tunnels and bridges to encounter. All make it for such an exciting ride. Using the e-bikes made it a little easier but of course the option to use the power of the legs. Alex was very helpful and made sure we were equipped with the knowledge and goods to enjoy this ride. She was very kind. Definitely an activity to put on the bucket list

Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour

Amy_J, Feb 2026

We had an amazing time!...

We had an amazing time! Wayne was our tour guide for the beginning of the tour and he was exceptional. His knowledge of Lord of the Rings was absolutely amazing and we learned so much. Weta Workshop was an amazing tour and it was so interesting to see all the movie props. Stan was our tour guide after the workshop tour and he also had exceptional knowledge of Lord of the Rings. We couldn’t have wished for a better day!