Half Day Tour of Wellington
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Wellington, New Zealand
- 3 hours 20 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Hotel or cruise ship pick-ups and drop-offs are provided
- No hidden costs: all entry fees and taxes are covered with this tour
- See and do a lot in just half a day
- Choose from several morning or afternoon departures to suit your needs
What's Included
- Driver/guide
- Live commentary on board
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Transport by private vehicle
- Drinks
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Pass By)
Saint Gerard's Church and Monastery (Pass By)
1
Mount Victoria
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Weta Workshop Experiences
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Oriental Bay (Pass By)
3
Wellington Cable Car
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Lady Norwood Rose Garden (Pass By)
4
New Zealand Parliament Buildings
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Old St. Paul's
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Cruise Ship Passenger bookings should select the following option as their pickup location which is the Wellington Cruise Ship Port: Aotea Quay, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
- Cruise Ship Passenger bookings should add their ship name in special requirements field.
- PICKUP LOCATION MUST BE GIVEN AT TIME OF BOOKING: Default pickup location Wellington iSite Visitor Centre, if you do not know your hotel at time of booking. You can amend your pickup when you know your hotel, if it is located in the CBD pickup area.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 657 reviews
Francesca_S, Mar 2026
What an amazing tour with Merv today! He was extremely informative and we loved all the stories that he shared. He really loves sharing about his country and history, very thoughtful and caring as well. Absolutely recommend for a day trip in Wellington. Picked up right at the port as well!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you Frances for leaving such a brilliant review for Merv, he is an excellent guide for us.
Di_G, Mar 2026
Excellent way to see the major sites in Wellington and gives a good feel for the city. Guide was informative and knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks for leaving us your great review, and it is good to know you enjoyed your time with us in Wellington.
Nicola_W, Mar 2026
The timings changed from our original booking which caused some confusion with people turning up at different times.
Our guide (Steve) was great and provided a good tour. Lots of opportunities to get out and take photos.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks for your review Nicola. Changes to our start times are very rare, but can be challenging. Good to know Steve got the tour on track and you enjoyed your time in Wellington.
Patricia_S, Mar 2026
The tour was everything we could have wished for, and more!
Merv, our tour guide was friendly, professional and very knowledgeable. He went above and beyond to make our morning enjoyable.
I would thoroughly recommend this tour, particularly if your time in Wellington is limited, or as an introduction to this lovely city.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Great review for Merv - thanks Patricia for taking the time to post. So good to hear you enjoyed your time in Wellington.
Maureen_T, Feb 2026
John was extremely friendly, accommodating, and very knowledgeable in the area. We truly enjoyed the experience.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thanks Maureen - a lovely review for John. We appreciate you taking the time to post this.
Lisa_J, Feb 2026
The company and our driver was prompt, friendly, easy to find and communicate with, and very knowledgeable. Steve did a GREAT job showing us around Wellington. So glad we did this. 😃
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Great review for Steve - thanks for posting this Lisa. Glad he delivered another of his great tours for us.
Dianne_W, Feb 2026
Great tour of Wellington. Marty was a fantastic tour guide with extensive knowledge of the Wellington area. The tour was a good length of time and we saw everything we hoped to see. Would highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Lovely review for Marty - thanks for posting this Dianne. Glad you enjoyed your tour with us.
Stephen_W, Feb 2026
Our guide, Steve, was very knowledgeable and did a fabulous job showing us around Wellington. A great way to view the highlights of the city before an afternoon of shopping and dining.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Nice review Stephen, and thanks for taking the time to post it. Steve is a great guide for us. Glad you left Wellington with good memories.
kellie_R, Feb 2026
Will made a feel welcome from the first moment our bus was clean and comfortable.
A guide was friendly with a great sense of humour answered questions as asked gave assistance wherever needed made our experience extremely enjoyable would highly recommend
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thanks for your great review. We are glad you enjoyed your tour, and left Wellington with good memories.
Kimberly_L, Feb 2026
Our driver and guide Brian was tremendous. First and foremost he was a very safety conscience driver. He was very knowledgeable of the sights we visuals added delightful commentary that kept all the passengers entertained. If I could give 10 stsrs, I would. Viator is exceptional. Their tours are priced reasonably and very enjoyable. We always use them when we travel abroad.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Wow, what a great review Kimberly - thanks for posting it for us. Good to know Brian delivered yet another of his great tours for us.
Chantel_B, Feb 2026
Richard was a great guide, knowledgeable and had a great attitude. Tour was well organised and well priced. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you Chantelle. I enjoyed my time with you all on your tour.
Michaelle_D, Feb 2026
There were several of your vans at the pick up site. Our tour guide told us to go to the van and get in. A few minutes later a tour guide named Merv stuck his head in the door and yelled “ what are you doing in my van?” We told him what your we were on and were rudely informed we were in the wrong van. When my husband called him out for being rude he replied “ I’m not rude I’m a New Zealander “. He then tried to be overly nice but the damage was done. If we hadn’t paid so much for the tour I would have walked back to the ship. So much for “ hospitality “ service!!! Later on our tour John kept trying to talk everyone into being dropped off downtown and not going back to the ship. We had no desire to walk around downtown and arrange our own transportation to the ship. We finally had to insist that we be taken back to the ship Overall it could have been a much better experience than what it was
Response from Host, Feb 2026
We are sorry to hear about your experience Michael, and we have spoken to all three of our guides who were there. It was not Merv or John who you found rude, but our third guide who asked why you were in his van. His tongue in cheek approach is sometimes mistaken for rudeness, but we have raised your concern with him so he is aware of our expectations. Your guide John (as with all of our guides) always offers to drop customers in town at the end of the tour if they wish, but the standard practice is to return to the ship for any passengers who request this.
We apologise that we did not meet our own high standards for you on this occasion.
Debra_C, Feb 2026
This is a fantastic, comprehensive tour with a highly knowledgeable, friendly and very helpful tour guide. I highly recommend it.
Dalane_I, Feb 2026
We got a comprehensive tour of Wellington. We stopped at Mount Victoria, the peninsula, Weta Cave, Lady Norwood Rose Gardens, Old St. Paul’s, the Parliament buildings, and we rode the Cable Car. We also drove along the scenic Oriental Bay. Our guide, Wayne, was personable, on time, and accommodating.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Fabulous review for Wayne, and thank you for posting. Good to know he delivered another great Xplor tour for us.
Susan_C, Jan 2026
Dean was our tour guide. He was so knowledgeable about the area. We were awe struck by some of the harbour sites. We saw out of the way and quirky places.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
So glad your enjoyed your time with Dean while in Wellington and thank you for leaving him your great review Susan.
Ian_R, Jan 2026
Good tour for a quick overview of Wellington and to work out where to go.
Good balance of stops and travelling
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thanks for your review
Laurence_E, Jan 2026
It was an extremely informative tour covering many sites and the relevant history associated with each site. Our tour guide and driver, Wayne, was a fountain of information with a great sense of humour. It was a thoroughly enjoyable tour and offered great value .
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for the review. I am glad that you enjoyed your tour with Wayne.
Rodilyn_V, Jan 2026
What an amazing tour guide/driver Merv was! Passionate about his job and took time to explain everything from history to politics and geography! I could tell he loves what he does! Very professional! The tour was spectacular, enjoyed every minute, every place we visited and loved the delicious steak and cheese pie he treated us! This guide and tour is highly recommended. We appreciated you Merv, you are one of the few that can make tour exciting and interesting ! Thank you so much!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
What a great review for Merv, and well deserved. Thanks for posting. We also appreciate you for choosing Xplor Tours.
RonaldPaul_W, Nov 2025
Good value for money. Our tour guide, Brian, was very informative with lots of knowledge about the city and its landmarks. We were allowed plenty of time when visiting the attractions and view points and never felt rushed.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your review I am glad you enjoyed the tour and I will pass on your comments to Brian
Donna_B, Nov 2025
Our half day trip around Wellington was fabulous. Brian was very knowledgeable and very friendly. Highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thanks for leaving Brian your great review Donna, and good to know you enjoyed your time with Xplor.
Karen_R, Nov 2025
Richard and Lloyd, were fantastic company and very knowledgeable, being native to Wellington.
They were engaging and a ton of fun.
Thanks gentlemen.
You are a testament to your organisation.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Lovely review for us Karen, and thank you for taking the time to post it. We both enjoyed doing your tour also.
Richard and Lloyd
sarah_h, Aug 2025
Excellent informative friendly helpful and enlightening.
We got to see a number of varied landmarks and notable places of interest.
Something for everyone.
Merv our driver and guide was kind and very knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Lovely review for Merv Sarah, and thanks for taking the time to post this. Glad you enjoyed Wellington and your time with Xplor.
jacqui, Jul 2025
Great host! Explored the local sights and great commentary of all relevance…felt we had a really good view of what Wellington was and is now.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Great heading Jacqui! Thanks for taking the time to post, and pleased to hear our Xplor Tours guide gave another great tour for us.
knottyk3, May 2025
Unfortunately, it poured rain the entire trip, but we were still able to see everything except what we were told would have been beautiful views. Our guide was fabulous and understood our mobility needs.
Response from Host, May 2025
Shame about the weather but glad our guide still gave you a memorable tour while your were in Wellington.
Thomas_F, Apr 2025
I booked this excursion during a cruise stop in Wellington for 13 people. Merv was our driver and guide. First, Merv was fabulous! Thank you for going above and beyond. We hade a great time and were able to see most of the important things in Wellington. They were on time, good coordination, and dropping us off in time to return. Can highly recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Fabulous review for Merv, thanks for taking the time to post it Thomas. Glad you enjoyed your tour with us.
Cc_M, Apr 2025
Excellent value tour showing the highlights in a small group.
Our tour leader was a local who new lots.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thanks for your review, good to hear you enjoyed your tour with us.
nicole_p, Apr 2025
Very happy with the tour we had picked and our tour guide, he was lovely and did a great job in showing us around and very knowledgeable
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Great review Nicole, and thank you for posting it. Good to hear you enjoyed your time in Wellington with our tour guide.
Nuno_M, Mar 2025
Wellington show by a new zealander that is very knowledgeable and funny. The tour was very nice with a lot of information and stops along the way. Got to know the most important places in Wellington.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for the lovely review Nuno.
greg_m, Mar 2025
good overall view of wellington for someone who has never been there. driver was knowledgeable and very pleasant.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Glad your enjoyed your tour with us Greg. Thanks for taking the time to post your review.
Melodie_C, Mar 2025
Our tour guide did a great job getting us to all of our stops even though it was a rainy, blustery day. I would recommend the tour.
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From $74.92
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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