Top Wellington How to Get Around

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.

Lift off above the city of Wellington on a 9-minute helicopter flight that gives a thrilling perspective on New Zealand's capital. You'll get aerial views of the Museum of New Zealand, Parliament House, and the forests and trails that surround the city center. On clear days, watch the Marlborough Sounds and the Southern Alps appear on the horizon, then soar across Wellington's Queens Wharf as you fly back towards the helipad. This helicopter tour of Wellington includes personal headsets so you don't miss a word of the pilot's commentary.

Witness Wellington from a perspective that most travelers miss with this harbour cruise experience. Hop aboard a fully electric passenger ferry and relax as you listen to tales of the city’s rich history, keeping an eye out for local cultural and ecological landmarks as the boat navigates Wellington Harbour (Te Whanganui-a-Tara).

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.

Discover Wellington’s unique blend of colonial charm, political power, and waterfront energy on this immersive self-guided walking tour. Perfect for history lovers and culture seekers, it lets you explore New Zealand’s lively capital at your own pace. Starting at Wellington Station, your GPS-enabled tour guides you offline through Parliament grounds, Gothic churches, historic pubs, and the bustling shops of Lambton Quay, ending at Oriental Bay’s golden sands. Along the way, see the famous Beehive, the Old Bank Arcade, statues of Katherine Mansfield and Kupe, and New Zealand’s oldest pub. With 14 key highlights and 23 extra stops, you’ll spend 3–4 hours uncovering stories, architecture, and landmarks that bring Wellington’s heritage to life.

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.

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.

Rather than exploring the Remutaka Range’s natural sights and landmarks by car, get up close to nature on this full-day small-group tour by hopping on an e-bike and riding the Remutaka Cycle Trail. Take in views of native forests, historic railway systems, craggy mountainous landscapes, and much more as you cycle through a range of habitats.

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.

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.

Get a personal introduction to Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum, with a guided experience that adds meaning and context to what you see. Explore key highlights from the museum’s interactive exhibits, cultural collections, fine art, and natural history, while a guide shares stories and insight that bring the displays to life. Gain a deeper understanding of Māori heritage and New Zealand’s colonial history, and receive recommendations tailored to your interests so you can continue exploring with a richer perspective.

The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy was filmed all over New Zealand, so it can be tough to know how best to explore the sights local to where you’re staying. On this full-day small-group tour, head to filming locations seen in the movies, explore the Weta Cave mini museum, visit the movie theatre that premiered Return of the King, and much more.

Lots of walking tours help you discover Wellington’s historic streets, but not many turn the trip into a culinary experience. On this half-day small-group food walking tour, sample a range of tasty treats—including chocolate, coffee, and pastries—as you discover local popular spots and hidden gems across the city that most travelers miss.

The hills around Wellington offer a spectacular backdrop for a cycling tour, but pedaling uphill is tiring. Take the effort out by joining an e-bike tour and focus on enjoying the sights and views. This half-day tour will take you past many of the capital’s highlights, including Te Papa, the Wellington Waterfront, and the Maupuia Walkway. Morning or afternoon departures are available.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A fun and informative introduction to Wellington. Meeting and leaving from the main entrance of the Wellington train station, a quick walk to the Parliament grounds will provide insight into New Zealand and Wellington politics. From here we'll take a walk atop the Wellington seismic fault line to the botanic gardens, these gardens marry the exotic with the native beautifully, and we shall garner an understanding of New Zealand's unique flora and fauna as we walk through some dense New Zealand bush. Reaching the top of the gardens, at the top of the cable car, we'll take in the beautiful view, point out some landmarks and generally orientate ourselves. From here we will walk through suburbs and places most tourists will never see, winding up on Cuba st, the heart of the city, for a quick refreshment. We will finish at the national Museum on the waterfront. Guests are guaranteed to come away from this tour with a better understanding of Wellington and New Zealand.

Explore New Zealand's small capital city while getting fresh air and exercise on an electric bike tour. Ride along the Wellington Waterfront and Miramar Peninsula, pedaling past beaches, urban landmarks, and residential neighborhoods with a guide leading the way and keeping you safe. Stop often to snap photos, and use the bike’s battery power to easily scale the city’s hills, for stellar views over the city and coast.

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.

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.

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.