Wellington, New Zealand

New Zealand's capital offers stunning views of forested peninsulas, dramatic cliff-side homes and fine Victorian buildings. Settled in 1840 by the London-based New Zealand Company, "wonderful, windy Wellington" is frequently buffeted by bracing winds funnelling through Cook Strait. The sophisticated metropolis boasts museums, winding streets and even a cable car. No wonder many travelers compare it to San Francisco.

Despite its steep hills, the city can be easily explored on foot. Kelburn Cable Car, stairways and footpaths climb the slopes from the city center.

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Points of Interest

  • Wellington Botanic Garden/Lady Norwood Rose Garden
  • Cable Car
  • Te Papa Museum
  • Wairarapa
  • Zealandia: Karori Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Lord Of The Rings Tour
  • Outdoor Adventures
  • Wellington City

More about Wellington, New Zealand Points of Interest

  • Wellington Botanic Garden/Lady Norwood Rose Garden

    The Wellington Botanic Garden features over 61 acres of landscapes, protected native forest, conifers, and special floral collections including the lovely 3,000 rose-filled Lady Norwood Rose Garden.

  • Cable Car

    This landmark, constructed in 1902, rises 390 feet from the heart of the city and offers spectacular views at the top. From here, it's an easy walk to the Botanic Gardens, Carter Observatory and Cable Car Museum.

  • Te Papa Museum

    New Zealand's national museum is dedicated to the country's culture and environment with a special emphasis on the Māori. Fascinating displays include the colossal squid; at over 1,000 pounds, it's renowned as the world's heaviest.

  • Wairarapa

    Called the "land of glistening waters" by the ancient Maori, this beautiful rural area not only offers abundant lakes, bays and rivers, it's also at the heart of New Zealand's wine trail.

  • Zealandia: Karori Wildlife Sanctuary

    A 550-acre eco-sanctuary home to New Zealand's rarest and endangered native animals including the tuatara lizard, little spotted kiwi, saddleback and hihi birds, and the giant weta insect. Their 500 year plan is to return the sanctuary to its pre-human origins.

  • Lord Of The Rings Tour

    An exhilarating journey through the Wellington and Wairarapa regions, where visitors can see locations used in the filming of the blockbuster award-winning movies.

  • Outdoor Adventures

    New Zealand abounds with spectacular scenery and activities.

  • Wellington City

14 EXCURSIONS

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Te Papa Express

3.5 hours | Wellington | W L G - 1 8 5
  • Te Papa Museum

Experience the serenity and beauty of the oldest botanic gardens in New Zealand as you stroll manicured walkways past elaborate flower beds, shimmering water features and abundant exotic trees. Then, explore the exceptional artifacts at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, and discover the unique stories of the country's heritage.

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Easy Activity

From

$39.95

Average Guest Rating

Easy Wellington: City Drive

3 hours | Wellington | W L G - 2 9 5
  • Wellington Botanic Garden/Lady Norwood Rose Garden

A comprehensive tour of Wellington is an opportunity to familiarize yourself with this picturesque capital and its exciting highlights. From the top of Mt. Victoria, take in panoramic vistas of the harbor, gaze upon the Botanical Gardens and make a photo stop at Old Saint Paul's Cathedral with its stunning stained-glass windows.

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Easy Activity

From

$49.95

Average Guest Rating

City Drive (Wheelchair Accessible)

3 hours | Wellington | W L G - 2 9 6
  • Wellington Botanic Garden/Lady Norwood Rose Garden

A comprehensive tour of Wellington is an opportunity to familiarize yourself with this picturesque capital and its exciting highlights. From the top of Mt. Victoria, take in panoramic vistas of the harbor, gaze upon the Botanical Gardens and make a photo stop at Old Saint Paul's Cathedral with its stunning stained-glass windows. This tour is wheelchair accessible.

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Wheelchair Accessible, Easy Activity

From

$49.95

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Local Connections: Te Papa Museum & Cable Car

4 hours | Wellington | W L G - 2 1 5
  • Cable Car
  • Te Papa Museum

Experience two of Wellington's most visited attractions. Explore the exceptional artifacts at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, and discover the unique stories of the country's heritage. Then, ride the historic Wellington Cable Car, taking in the views during this vertical climb to a viewpoint overlooking the entire city.

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Easy Activity

From

$79.95

Average Guest Rating

The Storm Coast Drive

4 hours | Wellington | W L G - 2 9 0

Gaze out the motorcoach window at the ever-changing scenery along New Zealand's stunning Storm Coast. Take in the windswept shoreline, charming villages and Pencarrow Head Lighthouse, the oldest in the country. Your destination is Pencarrow Station and Lodge, a 1,900-acre sheep and cattle ranch, for tea and a farm show.

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Easy Activity, Includes snack

From

$89.95

Average Guest Rating

In the Footsteps of the "Lord of the Rings"

3.5 hours | Wellington | W L G - 3 0 0
  • Lord Of The Rings Tour

Transport yourself to Middle Earth and learn the secrets behind the Lord of the Rings trilogy with this Princess exclusive tour of director Peter Jackson's custom-built Weta Workshop, the production studio behind such blockbuster films as The Hobbit, Avatar, and King Kong. See the props, models and weapons used and learn some movie magic.

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Moderate Activity

From

$89.95

Average Guest Rating

Te Papa Museum & Cable Car for Small Groups

4 hours | Wellington | W L G - 9 9 9
  • Cable Car
  • Te Papa Museum

Discover two of Wellington's most visited attractions in an intimate, small-group experience. Explore the exceptional artifacts at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, and hear the unique stories of the country's heritage. Then ride the Wellington Cable Car for a ringside seat to some of Wellington's most breathtaking views.

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Easy Activity

From

$109.95

Average Guest Rating

Best Of Wellington

4 hours | Wellington | W L G - 3 1 5
  • Wellington City

Immerse yourself in the history of Wellington when you explore the exceptional artifacts at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, and discover the unique stories of the country's heritage. Then, take in the fabulous views from Mount Victoria followed by a drive through downtown to photograph the architecturally unique Parliament building.

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Easy Activity

From

$119.95

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Seal Coast Safari

3.25 hours | Wellington | W L G - 5 0 0
  • Outdoor Adventures

Get off the beaten path and view Wellington's rugged south coast on an exciting 4WD vehicle adventure that travels through the city and over rural farmland to Tongue Point to meet a colony of wild New Zealand fur seals. On your return, take in views of the Leaning Lighthouse and Cook Strait.

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Moderate Activity, Includes snack

From

$129.95

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Local Connections: Zealandia Eco Reserve & Otari Wilton Bush

4 hours | Wellington | W L G - 2 2 0
  • Zealandia: Karori Wildlife Sanctuary

Get one with nature on an exhilarating outdoor adventure at Zealandia Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. Embark on a guided walk through this 600-acre reserve, home to some of New Zealand's most endangered wildlife. Then, take a treetop walk through the native forest at Otari-Wilton Bush, an old Maori hunting ground now botanical gardens.

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Moderate Activity, Includes snack

From

$129.95

Average Guest Rating

Ultimate Wellington: Shenandoah - A Unique Kiwi Experience

3.5 hours | Wellington | W L G - 1 0 5

Escape to the beautiful countryside when you venture to the rural destination of Shenandoah, a working farm and a historical gem set within a native wild birdlife reserve. Tour the magnificent property with the local owner, enjoy homemade goodies and explore the private museum filled with artifacts dating back 150 years.

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Moderate Activity, Includes meal

From

$164.95

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Quad Biking

6.5 hours | Wellington | W L G - 5 4 5
  • Outdoor Adventures

Hit the road to explore on a quad boat, a rip-roaring, four-wheeled, powered vehicle derived from a motorcycle. Ride along 12 miles of coastline and 62 miles of trails, traversing rugged terrain from sea level to 2,900 feet into the clouds. There are plenty of photo stops and a picnic lunch along the way.

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Strenuous Activity, Includes meal

From

$299.95

Average Guest Rating