Top Wellington Taxis & Shuttles: See reviews and photos of taxis & shuttles in Wellington, New Zealand on Tripadvisor. As the capital of New Zealand, Wellington is probably the city most people think of first when they hear about the country - people who don't live here, at any rate. There's a fascinating array of people wandering around. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand, +64 4-381 7000, Colossal Squid Exhibit, Te Papa Museum | © Al404/Flickr. Magical! You'll enjoy lovely views and the smell of tasty fish and chips! Things to do near (WLG) Wellington Intl Airport; Near Landmarks. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa; Fragrifert Parfumeur, the Victorian Perfumery; Capital Personalised Tours; Wellington Botanic Garden; Lady Norwood Rose Garden; Walk Wellington; Switched on Bikes; Tarot Zamm - Tarot Reader; Space Place at Carter Observatory; Seal Coast Safari; Escape Mate Walk along the Skyline from Mt Kaukau (just above Khandallah) to Crofton Downs (the most spectacular views!) The massive specimen was fished out of Antarctic waters in 2007 by New Zealand’s long-lining vessel San Aspiring, as it was partaking in a fishing expedition along the Ross Sea. Rent a car and hit the road – see The Best Car Rental Companies in Wellington; Do some of these 11 Free or Cheap Things to do in Wellington; If the weather is bad, consider doing these 10 Things to Do in Wellington on a Rainy Day. ... saddleback, fantail, kereru, kotare (kingfisher), various ducks, kaka and herd lots of others in a visit of 60-90 odd minutes. Easily the best beach in Wellington, Oriental Bay is an easy flat walk from Wellington Waterfront. Located at the top of the cable car and near the Botanic Gardens. Walk up Cuba Street and check out all the trendy cafes and vintage clothes shops. Hunt down all 23 of the sculptures on the waterfront Writers Walk trail; Make friends with the noisy parakeets on Wellington's 'secret' island – Matiu Somes; Clunk your way up, up, up on the historic cable car and then do a spot of stargazing Artist Carl Gifford channeled his passion for getting creative with recycled materials to create Carlucci’s imaginative artworks. Nature & Wildlife Areas. The Odd Guy; Limos Wellington; Near Airports. Wellington is a culmination of all things artsy and eclectic, but if you dig even deeper, you’ll discover a treasure trove of unusual attractions that often go unnoticed. Wellington, the world's southern-most capital, known for its ghastly gales, copious cafes and petty politicians. It's a bit of an odd looking building if I'm honest. Things to do near Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa; Things to do near Weta Workshop; Things to do near Cuba Street; Things to do near Wellington Zoo; Popular Neighbourhoods. All things to do in Wellington; Things to do near ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary. and have a drink and a meal in The Village. Happy Valley Carlucci land, crazy, awesome, odd ! We are the experts a large group bookings. With so little light pollution compared to the rest of the world wherever you are in New Zealand we recommend that you look up at night! The museum especially pays tribute to Ta Moko, the traditional tattoo art that was customary among high-ranking Maori chiefs pre-European settlement. Head along the Red Rocks Walkway! and discover where the LOTR trilogy premiered. Explore the Golden Sand Beaches of Oriental Bay. The Wrights Hill Fortress is better known for being the place used for the sounds of the Mines of Moria in the The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It’s a shopping center housed in, as the name suggests, the old Bank of New Zealand. Take a walk down Ascot Street to see them. Wellington wine route is one of the most diverse and compact in the Western Cape, with its 30-odd multiple-award-winning members (ranging from large and venerable co-operatives to the smallest boutique wineries) all within easy reach of each other. The Odd Guy; Limos Wellington; Near Airports. The haul garnered public attention because the fleet was featured in a documentary, thus paving the way for making the compelling creature a permanent fixture of the museum. 50+ Fantastic Things to do in Wellington during the School Holidays Updated 15 November 2020 School holidays need not be stressful - our guide to over FIFTY activities will easily get you through two weeks, and even all of December and January too. It's about a 23km drive. They produce a lot of miniatures and props for (many famous) movies and some TV shows. Go walking, learn about New Zealands history or chill on a beach, you'll find plenty of free activities you'll enjoy in Wellington Our staff at Base whipped us up a list of 50 Free Things to Do in Wellington... One of the best museums in the world - it's well worth leaving a gold coin donation by the way as you can spend all day there! Top Wellington Transportation: See reviews and photos of transportation options in Wellington, New Zealand on Tripadvisor. Collections also feature interesting artifacts, tools, and various illustrations. This is where many state funerals are held. Top things to do in Wellington Region - … We also have a list of the best Wellington Attractions -. That being said, war history buffs will be amazed at the restored site’s incredible networks of tunnels. It still amazes me that this is free. Read more about the Weta Cave. By Exmeasententia (Exmeasententia) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons. Share. Harry McNish, the ship’s carpenter and owner of Mrs Chippy, never forgave Shackleton for killing his voyage companion. The capital is fueled by an estimated 40-odd roasteries which roast and grind beans for cafes here and around New Zealand. Wellingtonians are all about coffee. Wrights Hill Fortress was built at the end of World War II, and was once fitted with two massive guns. View map. You might have to get a ferry to get there, or you could of course use your car and then go window shopping. That being said, war history buffs will be amazed at … 2,715 Reviews #2 of 219 things to do in Wellington. It might be the capital, but it is only home to about 10 per cent of the population, living on the harbourside hills and beyond. As the tunes fill up the space, the clock opens itself to reveal a series of vignettes that depict the arcade’s history – from its early construction right through the times it was used as the Bank of New Zealand’s headquarters. People usually scour through the Old Bank Arcade for their shopping sprees and everyday indulgences. While the fortress is usually only open on national public holidays, private tours can be arranged. Te Papa - the National Museum of New Zealand One of the best museums in the world - it's well worth leaving a gold coin donation by … I'm not sure it was designed to get passers by wet but it does! Things to do near (WLG) Wellington Intl Airport; Near Landmarks. But venture into the Banking Chamber before the hour strikes, and you’ll be able to marvel at an intricate musical clock that animates this classic building. The countdown has officially begun. Botanic Gardens, 101 Glenmore St, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand, +64 4-499 1400, Wellington Botanic Gardens at Night | © Grant Cherrington/Flickr, We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. Head out early as this walk can take 2 hours if you're walking briskly. Date of experience: November 2020. 'Gardens Magic' held during summer on the Botanic Garden Soundshell stage. You can find some amaxing bargains. A large, inner-city building adeptly painted with dragons beckons visitors to explore the National Tattoo Museum. Browse unique designs at Flock Boutique, flip through the vinyl at The Record Centre or sip cold brew at The Ministry of Coffee. Helpful. Open every Wednesday and Thursday from 10am until 3pm at Bowen House, A great venue for music with a nice dancefloor. ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary. Te Papa. Top Wellington Taxis & Shuttles: See reviews and photos of taxis & shuttles in Wellington, New Zealand on Tripadvisor. 1. Te Papa Museum, in particular, has a not-so-hidden secret within its Mountains to Sea exhibition: a 495-kilogram (1091-pound) colossal squid, the only one of its kind on display anywhere in the world. It's full of especially exuberant drivers, Kristina D.C. Hoeppner (Flickr: View of Wellington from Mt Victoria (10)) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons. You'll get panoramic views of Wellington and good workout to get there! Or just wander and listen to different buskers all round town. Below are 15 things to do in and around Wellington that rank highly on many visitors’ itineraries. Un-missable THINGS TO DO in the Wellington Region. Matiu/Somes Island was officially used to quarantine sheep and cattle from 1893 to 1908. Get Panoramic Views From Mt. Check out the art galleries and artisan shops before settling on the pretty beach. And take your photos of it for instagram! Club 121; Danca; Wellington Night Market; Caughley; Matterhorn; Wellington Chocolate Factory; Golding's Free Dive; Hanging Ditch; VK's Comedy and Blues Bar; The Bucket Fountain; Hunt For The WellyPeople; Spacesuit; Mandatory Menswear; Mighty Mighty; Glover Park; Fun & Games in Wellington Old Bank Arcade in Wellington, New Zealand, is actually neither an arcade nor a bank. It’s not often that you see a monument dedicated to a cat. Even the typical must-dos are home to some of the most unusual attractions. Discover 100 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in New Zealand from Hobbiton to Re:START Mall. Explore New Zealands only botanic garden dedicated to native plants. Read more about Te Papa. A war memorial is always a sombre place to visit. Flinging real axes at giant targets might seem like an odd idea for a romantic date but we reckon there's no better way to escape reality with a bit of axe throwing with your beloved. While we can't claim they'll transform your relationship with a magical moment of romance, our list of '10 romantic things to in Wellington', can at very least offer a fun day or, night out. Everyone knows and loves Wellington’s Botanic Gardens, but did you know that you can catch a glimpse of glowworms there too? Wrights Hill Fortress, 50 Wrights Hill Rd, Karori, Wellington 6012, New Zealand, +64 4-907 4186, Wrights Hill Fortress Gun Emplacement | © Jaydenm/Wikimedia Commons. Every Tuesday at dusk (weather permitting of course), fire dancers have permission to practise in Frank Kitt's Park. Owl Canyon Coffee Free Things To Do In Wellington. Karori Cemetery, 76 Old Karori Rd, Karori, Wellington 6012, New Zealand, +64 4-476 6109, Harry McNish Gravestone and Statue of Mrs Chippy | © Nigel Cross/Wikimedia Commons. Here’s to all things epic and compelling across New Zealand’s capital city: we’re rounding up 9 cool quirks that should definitely make into all travellers’ to-do lists. But in the past, it was home to the country’s first designated animal quarantine station. This is a fantastic place to learn about Maori and Pacific tattoo traditions, as well as New Zealand’s distinctive techniques and styles. It’s no surprise that Wellington is New Zealand’s coffee capital - those in the industry point to its weather, bohemian culture, and the compact city which makes it easy to get around. Carlucci Land, 226/280 Happy Valley Rd, Happy Valley, Wellington 6023, New Zealand, +64 4-383 7054. You’ll find these fluorescent critters in the Main Garden, from the Duck Pond up to the Pukatea Stream, though they only come out in the darkest hour. 57. If you don't fancy walking along the waterfront, find yourself a spot to people watch. Indeed, when planning this trip it wasn’t so much a case of “how many things to do in Wellington with kids could there be?” as trying to figure what to leave out given how long we were there. Read more. The New Zealand Antarctic Society added a bronze statue of the kitty to McNish’s grave, at the Karori Cemetery, in 2004. There are some really good ones! #2 of 219 things to do in Wellington. In the grand scheme of things, Wellington is a small city. With the introduction of new livestock, primarily imported from Australia and the United Kingdom, it was critical to establish a place that safeguards New Zealand’s agricultural sector from foreign diseases. Check out the Hall of Memories, also located within the National War Memorial Park. National Tattoo Museum of New Zealand, 187 Vivian St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand,+64 4-385 2185, Māori chief, late 18th century | © Wikimedia Commons. The now-defunct station, including its bull pen, meat safe, and ova transplant surgery, can be seen at one’s own leisure. Head to Boogie Wonderland and Electric Avenue. These days, Wellington’s Matiu/Somes Island is a scientific, predator-free reserve. There are 23 sculptures on this walk all with quotes from some of Wellingtons most well known writers. https://thriftyfamilytravels.com/best-things-to-do-in-taupo-with-kids To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK", 55 Cable St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand, 233-237 Lambton Quay, Wellington 6011, New Zealand, 187 Vivian St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand, 76 Old Karori Rd, Karori, Wellington 6012, New Zealand, Harry McNish Gravestone and Statue of Mrs Chippy |, 50 Wrights Hill Rd, Karori, Wellington 6012, New Zealand, 226/280 Happy Valley Rd, Happy Valley, Wellington 6023, New Zealand, 101 Glenmore St, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand, 191 Sutherland Road, Lyall Bay Wellington, Wellington, 6022, New Zealand. Head down Marine Parade and stay next to the coast. First built to commemorate the arrival of the first British immigrants to Pito-one’s shores in 1840, a fascinating place to visit. 26 Free things to do in Wellington with Kids 1. 50 Free Things To Do in Wellington 1. Unfortunately, Mrs Chippy’s life was cut short by this event — Shackleton thought the tabby cat, along with the expedition’s sled dogs, would not survive the cold conditions and decided to have them shot. Drrobert at en.wikipedia [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons. It'll take you around 3 hours if you stick to the coastal path, so take water and wear comfy shoes! Pretend you're interested in New Zealand politics and visit the Beehive! This is where the costumes and props are created for films such as Lord of the Rings and King Kong! Right on the edge of downtown Wellington, take a walk up the hill and you’ll be presented with epic views to help you get your bearings in the city. and beep your horn. Victoria. Discover the best top things to do in Wellington Region including Wellington Museum, Zealandia, Wellington Botanic Gardens. It's a beautiful and historic church which is a Category 1 Heritage building. 58. Definitely worth visiting on a Saturday so you can also visit the Underground Market, Frank Kitt's Park is a lovely waterfront location to chill out amongst the sulptures. Uncover Wellington’s War History at the Wrights Hill Fortress The Wrights Hill Fortress is better known for being the place used for the sounds of the Mines of Moria in the The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Make sure you do this safely though and head to the diving board and diving platform at Taranaki Wharf which have been put there purely for this popular pastime. Combine that with a walk along the waterfront and it's a nice way to spend an afternoon. But Mrs Chippy ensured that Earnest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition to Antarctica was a little less dreary. Rather than spend another night at the cinema, couples do have a number of romantic activities to experience in Wellington. Only a 20 minute walk from the CBD and the views of the city are lovely never mind the beautiful gardens you can explore. Or just swim in the ocean. Carlucci Land is where mini-golf meets rustic wooden and metallic sculptures. Te Papa is the huge National Museum and is rated #1 in the list of top things to do in New Zealand. See if you can spot all the poetry blocks set along the shore. James and I only have a matter of days left in Wellington before we fly to the South Island for a week-long road trip, where we’ll tick off a few things we missed when we travelled the country in our campervan!. Head to the National Library and see the original Treaty of Waitangi, the Declaration of Independence and the Women's Suffrage Petition. By Michal Klajban (Hikingisgood.com) (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons. All things to do in Wellington; Things to do near Fear Factory Wellington. Our dedicated groups co-ordiator will help make your life easy and may even have a few perks for you. A post shared by Indiana June (@indianajune) on May 9, 2014 at 11:08pm PDT. The brave kitty accompanied Shackleton and his fleet until the Endurance became trapped in the Antarctic ice. An impressive building located next to the beehive shaped "Beehive" (offiicially known as the Executive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings!). A lovely coastal suburb of Wellington with a nice beach. Spring is the best time to spot the glowworms, and guided tours are occasionally held to get locals and visitors closer to the brightly-lit specimens. Only at Christmas obviously! Old Bank Arcade, 233-237 Lambton Quay, Wellington 6011, New Zealand, +64 4-922 0600, Old Bank Arcade Clock in Wellington | © Markus Koljonen/Wikimedia Commons. It's not all about politics in New Zealands parliament buildings. The quirky venue is going on eight years strong, and its 18-hole mini-golf course follows a cool junkyard theme that adds an interesting dimension to the game. Make sure to check out the canopy walkway. Wellington is the music and cultural hub of New Zealand; quirky streets, sweet bars, good food and loads of free stuff to do! What to Do in Ottawa’s Wellington West Neighbourhood When in Ottawa, don't miss spending a day in Wellington West, which includes Hintonburg and Wellington Village and boasts creative local restaurant and shops. Concerts from 8 - 9.30pm, followed by a light show until 10.30pm. Like any major world capital city, Wellington teems with things to do, and it's easy to miss the best options if you don't know what to look out for, even if you've lived here for years. Things to do near Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa; Things to do near Weta Workshop; Things to do near Cuba Street; Things to do near Wellington Zoo; Things to do near Oriental Bay; Popular Neighborhoods. Check out there mini museum, watch a documentary or just wander around the life size sculptures. Following the success of the Friday night markets, Lower Cuba Street is also host to a market on Saturday night from 5-11pm. 58 Kent Terrace, Te Aro, Wellington. Every Friday from 5-11pm enjoy international food, local performers, artists and private stalls. These were only ever test-fired, and later were scrapped for metal which was, somewhat ironically, sold to Japan in the 1960s. "discover all the favourite tourist spots in Wellington; nature reserves, forests, farmlands and the rugged South Coast; landmarks and historic sites; public art and picturesque views". Things to do in Kelburn; Travel Guides; Apps; GreenLeaders