Top Wellington Tours by Duration in 2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Firstly, a private tour offers a vehicle & driver exclusively for you. As locals, we're well versed on where to take you & can also cater for any specific interests (within the 3.5 hour timeframe) You'll visit locations in Wellington that you couldn't make on foot, accompanied by a local, educated driver in a luxury (BMW) branded vehicle. We'll start in the city but quickly make our way to the best views at Mount Victoria lookout. Then we'll head out to the suburbs cruising through Lyall Bay beach & stopping at the Weta Cave (hop out). After we head back to the city you'll experience a ride on the Cable Car with more stunning views from the other side of the city. Then we'll check out the Lady Norwood Rose Garden & our Parliament grounds as the tour comes to a conclusion. Packing LOADS of wellington in to a short space of time with hosts who care.

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.

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.

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.

With filming for the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy taking place across so much of New Zealand, it can be tough to know how best to see the appropriate sights. On this half-day small-group tour, let your guide handle the itinerary as you visit filming locations, the theatre that hosted the world premiere of Return of the King, Weta Cave, and much more.

Enjoy the views over the Remutaka Ranges. Savor the taste of award-winning wines at 3 boutique wineries in Martinborough. Enjoy a gourmet lunch platter to complement your wine tasting experience. Learn about the history of the wines and the winemaking process from the experts Visit 3 of the favorite wineries and listen to the wine makers explain with passion the history of their wines and inviting you to taste a variety of them. Your wine tasting will be matched with a delightful gourmet lunch platter that will leave your taste buds tingling.

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.

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.

One tour to rule them all...... You'll get to check out the filming locations of the magical Lord of the Rings trilogy & you also get to wander around the beautiful city. All hosted by expert guides! Including but not limited to the Outer Shire, Helm’s Deep, Minas Tirith, Isengard & Rivendell. We'll recreate some iconic scenes & enjoy some stunning scenery whilst we go! Your tour includes the 90-minute Weta Cave experience where you'll be taken behind the scenes of Weta Workshop.

This tour is a perfect introduction to the highlights of Wellington from the comfort and luxury of electric Tesla SUVs with panoramic glass windows. We provide a private tour just for you, offering flexibility in the itinerary and taking you to scenic locations around the city and bay area. Tours are fully inclusive with no added extra charges. They include refreshments and any entry fees. Complimentary Antipodes artesian mineral water, along with HEPA air conditioning.

There’s so much to see in Wellington that it can be tough to know how to fit it all in, especially if you only have limited time in the city. Instead of worrying about your itinerary, on this full-day small-group tour, join your driver-guide and explore landmarks and attractions across the city, including Weta Cave, Oriental Bay, the New Zealand Parliament, and much more.

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.

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.

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.

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.

See Wellington with ease, thanks to this private half-day adventure. Set off in a luxurious yet eco-friendly vehicle—an electric Tesla SUV, so you can cruise around the city in style. To make the day as hassle-free as possible, the tour includes lunch as well as admission to the sights visited along the way.

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.