Wellington First XI: Tourist Highlights
To make sure you make the most of New Zealand’s capital, check out our list of 11 must-do activities in Wellington.
Wellington will host four ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 matches, including the blockbuster New Zealand-England clash on 20 February 2015 and the New Zealand* quarter-final on 21 March 2015. Click here for a full list of fixtures in Wellington.
* If New Zealand qualifies for the quarter-final stage it will play at Wellington.
Soak up the sun at the Bay
Wellington's waterfront is a beautifully walkable public space, dotted with cafes, parks, sculpture, bars and ice cream vendors. Join hundreds of Wellingtonians walking, jogging, skating, or cycling. Stop by one of three markets on the weekend, then aim for Oriental Bay beach to have a swim or just soak up the sun. Visit website.
Round the Bays
Join in the buzz of Wellington’s biggest fun run/walk on Sunday, 22 February 2015. Register for either a 6.5 kilometre fun run, 10 kilometre or half marathon. All three distance options take advantage of the beautiful inner Harbour bays before converging on Kilbirnie Park for live entertainment, food and a great atmosphere for the whole family. The 2014 event set a new participant record with over 14,000 people flocking to Wellington’s waterfront to take part in what has become one of the city’s most iconic annual events. Visit website.
Homegrown talent
Homegrown is NZ’s largest kiwi music festival with over 60 local acts and eight stages spanning the length of the stunning Wellington Waterfront on Saturday 7 March 2015. Homegrown boasts New Zealand’s best electronic, hip hop pop, reggae, rock, roots, and RnB artists, and has sold out six of the last seven years. In addition to the five main stages, a market area and three stages can be found in free to the public areas along the waterfront. Visit website.
Festival fun
Free to all, a family oriented public celebration in the heart of Newtown, the Street Fair, on Sunday, 8 March 2015, is Wellington’s street party to which all of the country is invited. Newtown Fair Day’s stages, stalls and crowds reclaim the streets and celebrate a richness of cultures, musical talent and community connectivity. A world of food and music with 300 stalls, carnival rides, 11 stages, buskers and alfresco street performances. The local cafes and bars come out into the street and are joined by 100 other food stalls. Visit website.
Southeast Asian Night Market
Southeast Asia lights up Wellington’s Waterfront on 13 and 14 March 2015. Sample delicious food, colourful crafts and non-stop entertainment of the fifth Southeast Asian Night Market in Wellington. Visit website.
Discover our stories Te Papa
The National Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa, is fascinating and fun for curious minds of any age. The exhibits are innovative and interactive, telling stories of New Zealand’s unique biological, cultural, geological and social history in new and exciting ways. Te Papa’s guided tours are ideal if you have limited time or want an overview before you head off and explore the museum yourself. Visit Website.
Enjoy 360-degree views
Get a panoramic view of city and harbour, and a great photo opportunity at the Mount Victoria Lookout. Watch the ferries sailing in through the harbour and aircraft taking off from Wellington Airport. You can drive all the way up, or walk through the town belt greenery. Grab some fish and chips and sit on the grass as the sun goes down and the lights come up. Visit website.
Movie-making magic
Visit Weta Cave, the shop front of world famous Oscar-winning Weta Workshop, and view props and collectibles from some of the world’s most spectacular movies. Then get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the imagination and artistry of Weta on its new tour, Window Into Workshop. You can also put yourself in the picture with a The Lord of the Rings location tour. Visit website.
Ride the Cable Car
The cable car is a Wellington icon. It runs from Lambton Quay up to Kelburn, where at the top there’s a lookout, the Cable Car Museum, and the fascinating Carter Observatory. With interactive displays, a state of the art digital planetarium and historic telescopes, it's a virtual voyage to the stars. After your visit to Carter, come back down to earth (and the city) through the beautiful Botanic Garden. Visit website.
Experience Zealandia
Just a 10 minute drive from downtown Wellington you'll find Zealandia. Hidden in a suburban valley, this project aims to return a 225 hectare section of bush to its pre-human state. Take a walk and hear the songs of the flourishing native bird population. Volunteer guides help you make the most of your visit, and you can even book a Zealandia By Night Tour for kiwi spotting. Visit website.
Treat your taste buds
One of the country’s finest wine regions, Wairarapa is just over an hour from Wellington. Wairarapa blends country charm with luxury retreats, olive groves, vineyard cafes, award-winning restaurants and premium wines. Treat your taste buds and visit the award-winning Martinborough wine region, in the heart of Wairarapa, on Tranzit's Martinborough Gourmet Wine Tour. Visit website.
For more information on things to see and do in Wellington, visit: www.wellingtonnz.com