Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand's national museum and is located in Wellington. Usually known as Te Papa (Māori for 'the treasure box'), it opened in 1998 after the merging of the National Museum of New Zealand and the National Art Gallery. An average of more than 1.5 million people visit every year, making it the 26th most-visited art gallery in the world. Te Papa operates under a bicultural philosophy and emphasizes the living stories behind its cultural treasures.

Oriental Bay

Oriental Bay is a stunning waterfront suburb in Wellington that boasts scenic views of the harbor and recreational opportunities that are sure to leave you enchanted. As a tourist destination, it has it all – from sandy beaches to restaurants, cafes, and bars, there is something for everyone.

10 minutes

Mount Victoria

You can't visit Wellington without experiencing the majesty of the view from the top of Mount Victoria. At 195m above sea level, you'll need a head for heights, but the reward is stunning. You'll feast on panoramic views of the city below, and the glorious ocean and pretty bays beyond.

30 minutes

The Roxy Cinema

5. The Roxy Cinema is an iconic Wellington must-see tourist site. Located just 10 minutes from the City Centre and only 5 minutes from Wellington Airport and Weta Cave, it’s well worth a visit. The Roxy is known for its Art Deco glamour, film industry connections, state-of-the-art theatres, and Weta Workshop-designed interior, all presented with the best local food and drink and genuine Kiwi hospitality.

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WETA CAVE IS THE SHOP and Tours section of the award-winning Weta Workshop. The workshop was founded in Wellington’s Miramar Peninsula in 1987 by husband and wife Richard Taylor and Tania Rodgers. Noted New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson collaborated with Weta for practical effects from his first feature film, Bad Taste. But it was the work of Weta Workshop and Weta Digital in Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings film trilogy that made Weta a household name in filmmaking throughout the world and lead to the Weta Cave’s opening in 2008. As such it, makes sense that this space is primarily a The Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit souvenir shop, but there are many other fantastic offerings around the cave, including memorabilia from other Weta collaborations such as The Chronicles of Narnia and Alita: Battle Angel.

20 minutes

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Selly Bay is a picturesque coastal suburb located on the eastern side of Wellington Harbor, just a short drive away from the city center. This beautiful bay has a range of activities and attractions that make it a popular tourist destination. One of the main draws of Shelly Bay is its stunning beach. The golden sands and crystal clear waters make it the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. The bay also has a playground and a large grassy area for children to play, making it a great family-friendly destination.

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The area that is now Basin Reserve was originally a lake (known as the Basin Lake), and there were plans to connect it to the sea by a canal to make it an alternative inner-city harbor, with major warehouses and factories alongside it. However, the massive 1855 Wairarapa earthquake uplifted the area nearly 1.8 m (5.9 ft) and turned the lake into a swamp. Due to the colonists' English roots, sports, particularly cricket, After a council meeting on 11 December 1866, the Basin Reserve became Wellington's official cricket ground. No cattle or horses were allowed in the ground and only small hedges and shrubs were allowed to be planted so as not to hamper cricket games. Soon after, on 11 January 1868, the first game of cricket was played,

National War Memorial

The National War Memorial of New Zealand is located next to the Dominion Museum building on Buckle Street, in Wellington, the nation's capital. The war memorial was dedicated in 1932 on Anzac Day (25 April) in commemoration of the First World War. It also officially remembers the New Zealanders who gave their lives in the South African War, World War II, and the wars in Korea, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Dominion Museum

Soon after the capital was moved from Auckland to Wellington in 1865, the Colonial Museum was established under the auspices of scientist and explorer James Hector. Originally housed behind Parliament, the museum started with a small collection made by the country’s first scientific society. After New Zealand became a dominion in 1907, the museum became known as the Dominion Museum.

Wellington Cable Car

No trip to Wellington is complete without a quick historic journey on the Cable Car. Enjoy the best views at the Kelburn Lookout. Easy access to the Botanic Garden, Cable Car Museum, Space Place (Carter Observatory)

30 minutes

New Zealand Parliament

Considered to be a landmark building of the town, The Beehive is the Executive Wing of the iconic New Zealand Parliamentary buildings. Situated at the corner of Molesworth Street and Lambton Quay in Wellington, New Zealand, The Beehive is called so because of its shape; that is in the form of a traditional beehive, also known as a ‘skep’. The building houses the office of the prime minister and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, in addition to several other offices of other government officials. The 72 metres tall building has ten floors above and four floors below. Designed by the British architect- Sir Basil Spence in 1964, the Beehive also has an array of meeting rooms, bars, lounges, pubs and TV and Radio interview rooms.

20 minutes

Old St Paul's

Wellington's iconic and breathtakingly beautiful Old St Paul’s is one of New Zealand’s greatest heritage places and an exquisite example of Gothic Revival architecture. A must-see experience on your visit to Wellington.

20 minutes