Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In

Things to Do in Wellington

Search:
email to friend | help

Wellington Travel Guide

Things to Do in Wellington

Reviews and photos of Wellington attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Wellington sightseeing.
Local Time 4:53 am Thursday, July 10, 2008
Wellington Map
• Wellington Hotels

Sponsored Links for Wellington

Great Hotel in Wellington
Centrally located hotel in downtown with Kitchenettes and Valet Parking

Hertz.com Car Rentals
Book Your Rental Car at Hertz.com. Check Out Our Special Rates Online.

Coming to Wellington?
Hire a Car from NZ $12 per day. No hidden costs. Book online today!

Wellington Realty, Inc.
Buying? Selling? Leasing? We are local experts. Search the MLS free!

Luxury travel New Zealand
Have Swain experts customize your New Zealand travel experience

Wellington Things To DoTips 1 - 10 of 205  
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
Te Papa National Museum: LOTR Exhibit
  • Tip Rating:
  • Updated By cnango on January 10, 2008
  • Email Me
  • See My Wellington Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • Wellington Things To Do
    by cnango,
    1 more photos
    Send Photo to a Friend
    I could have spent so much more time in the Te Papa Museum. I enjoyed the New Zealand historical displays a lot ,but the main reason for our visit was to see the Lord of The Rings (LOTR) Exhibit . I had already seen a few LOTR costumes in a Museum in Hollywood, displaying lots of movie costumes nominated for Academy Awards. And during the tour in Hollywood , the Museum Curator explained how glad he was that LOTR won for Best Costume. He said it was by far the best and really deserved to win (unlike some other previous winners). At Te Papa I missed not having an expert guide, but it's displays of LOTR costumes, armour and models were much more extensive. It also had film clips,interactives, and interviews with cast and crew and special effects experts. But what I like the most about the exibit at Te Papa is that it's located in "Middle Earth" !

    UPDATE: The LOTR Exibit came & went since I wrote this tip. But Good News, by popular demand it's returning soon and will be expanded to include new exhibits from the trilogy.

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: Cable Street, Wellington.
  • Phone: 04 - 381 7000
  • Website: http://www.tepapa.govt.nz

    • Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Te Papa National Museum
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Wellington Cable Car: Ride the Cable Car
  • Tip Rating:
  • By cnango on September 9, 2005
  • Email Me
  • See My Wellington Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • Wellington Cable Car - Wellington
    Wellington Cable Car
    by cnango
    Send Photo to a Friend
    The Wellington Cable Car was opened in 1902 .Millions of people take this fun red cable car ride each year. In 1933 electricity replaced steam for power. In 1978 the earlier system was replaced by a new Swiss system that is still running today.On top there is an amazing view of Wellington's harbour. A fun outing is to ride up,explore the cable car museum & planetarium. Then dine in the cafe and hike ( tramp) back down through the beautiful Botanic Gardens.

    Leave a Comment

  • Directions: The end of the Cable Car Lane off Lambton Quay in Wellington's Central Business District.
  • Website: http://www.wellingtonnz.com/GettingHereAndAround/WellingtonCableCarLtd/default.htm

    • Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Wellington Cable Car
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Te Papa National Museum: Wow...
  • Tip Rating:
  • Updated By knerten on July 29, 2004
  • Email Me
  • See My Wellington Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • Wellington Things To Do
    by knerten
    Send Photo to a Friend
    I am not very fond of museums normally, but this is a MUST SEE! I can says this because I went back 4 times. Ok, honestly, I must admit that since it was raining most of the time I was in Wellington I had to find a place where I could be indoors for a long period of time without costing me any money. Te Papa served that purpose very well. After 4 days I still had not seen it all, albeit I'm pretty sure I managed to visit all the corners and alleys in this giant building. It has something for every taste, natural history, arts, Maori and Pakeha culture...I did not have a boring moment.

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: Cable Street, Wellington.
  • Phone: 04 - 381 7000
  • Directions: Wellington Waterfront.
  • Website: http://www.tepapa.govt.nz

    • Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Te Papa National Museum
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Visit the Grand Old Lady of Cinema
  • Tip Rating:
  • Updated By cnango on February 26, 2008
  • Email Me
  • See My Wellington Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • The Embassy Theater in downtown Wellington - Wellington
    The Embassy Theater in
    downtown Wellington
    by cnango, 1 more photos
    Send Photo to a Friend
    The Embassy Theatre, built in 1924 is a great example of Stripped Classical Architecture. This 'Grand Old Lady' of cinema is also considered by many to be the 'spiritual home of Lord Of The Rings'. All three of the LOTR Trilogy premiered at the Embassy Theatre in December 2003. We were in Wellington shortly after the celebrated premiere and cast member parade. But the theatre was still all decorated with a giant Gollum on the roof and still featuring 'The Fellowship of the Ring'.

    Take a virtual tour of the Embassy Theatre with this LIVE WEBCAM : http://www.wotzon.com/profilepage.html?comp_id=1000546&CatID=2

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: 10 Kent Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand
  • Phone: 04 384 7657
  • Website: www.deluxe.co.nz

    • Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Waterfront: Go to a beautiful beach
  • Tip Rating:
  • Updated By cnango on October 22, 2005
  • Email Me
  • See My Wellington Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • The Beach at Oriental Bay, Wellington - Wellington
    The Beach at Oriental Bay,
    Wellington
    by cnango
    Send Photo to a Friend
    Both times I have been to Wellington the weather has been very windy and sometimes blustery with rain. But even when it was wet and cloudy out the beach was beautiful. The color of the water was so pretty and the sandy beach was covered with shells. I hope to visit Wellington again someday when the sun is shining and the beach is covered with beachgoers like in the postcards !

    Leave a Comment


    Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Waterfront
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Wellington Botanic Garden: Museum of Wellington and the Sea
  • Tip Rating:
  • Updated By knerten on July 29, 2004
  • Email Me
  • See My Wellington Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • A model of the Wahine disaster - Wellington
    A model of the Wahine disaster
    by knerten
    Send Photo to a Friend
    The main reason for me to go here was to learn more about the Wahine disaster, 10 April 1968, when the inter-island ferry Wahine struck a reef and sank when entering Wellington harbour during a tropical storm. I've always been fascinated by ship disasters, ever since I first read about the Titanic at the age of 8. Growing up in Germany and going to Norway for holidays at least once a year, I've had my fair share of rough North Sea ferry rides, so I know how it must have felt like.
    The Wahine dispaly features a small model collage of the disaster and a short movie, showing some of the heroic rescue efforts.
    It was definitely worth going there.

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: Waterfront
  • Directions: Halfway between Te Papa and the Railway station

    • Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Wellington Botanic Garden
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Take a Wellington Walk
  • Tip Rating:
  • By cnango on October 19, 2005
  • Email Me
  • See My Wellington Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • Wooden Walking Path in Oreintal Bay,Wellington - Wellington
    Wooden Walking Path in
    Oreintal Bay,Wellington
    by cnango
    Send Photo to a Friend
    Wellington is a great place to explore on foot. We followed this wooden path in Oriental Bay from our B&B to the Oriental Parade.We also walked along the beach and around the downtown district exploring the many shops. Since we had a Kiwi friend to show us around we did not take a guided tour but there are many available.

    Leave a Comment

  • Website: http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/walkways/

    • Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Wellington Cable Car: Wellington Cable Car
  • Tip Rating:
  • Updated By kiwi on May 9, 2008
  • Email Me
  • See My Wellington Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • Cable Car Wellington - Wellington
    Cable Car Wellington
    by kiwi, 1 more photos
    Send Photo to a Friend
    Ride the Cable car from Lambton Quay, downtown Wellington, up the hill. There you will find lovely views back over the city and harbour. Also the Botanical Gardens, Carter Observatory and the Cable Car Museum. And yes, there is a coffee shop for refreshments. The small compact shop has very nice coffee at a reasonable rate of $2-80.
    Living in Wellington is a matter of getting used to the steep hills and pockets of houses between them. The Cable Car has been used for many years to get up just one of these hills.
    It's very cheap and worth the trip up even just for the views.

    Mon - Fri: 7am - 10pm
    Sat: 8.30am - 10pm
    Sun & holidays: 9am - 10pm

    Adults: $1.80 (return $3.60)NZDollars
    Child & students: $1 (return $2)

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: 280 Lambton Quay, Wellington.
  • Phone: 04 - 472 2199
  • Directions: Lambton Quay, next to McDonalds.
  • Other Contact: email: cablecar@xtra.co.nz

    • Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Wellington Cable Car
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Wellington Cable Car: Ride the Cable Car
  • Tip Rating:
  • By djramey on January 3, 2004
  • Email Me
  • See My Wellington Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • Wellington Cable Car - Wellington
    Wellington Cable Car
    by djramey
    Send Photo to a Friend
    For a great view of the city, ride the Wellington Cable Car from the Botanic Gardens down to the city. The car leaves every 10 minutes and provides some of the most amazing postcard views of the capital city.

    You will be able to wait and watch the capital on the loading dock of the car or you can visit the Cable Car Museum that is just steps from the car itself. Or, if these are in your liking, walk just a bit away and get some different views from the other viewing platforms.

    The ride will only cost you $1.80 for an adult, $1.00 for a child or $10.00 for a family return. You can pay at the ticket office on Lambton Quay or if coming from the top, you can pay the assistant on the train.

    This train was very near my apartment in Kelburn and though we never took it down, many people did. Students frequent the train as it is the most practical way for them to get up the hill.

    Built by Upland Estate Real Estate company as a means of transport to the farm land in Kelburn, which upon completion of the Cable car system in 1902 was developed into the suburb it is today.

    You might even find yourself on a postcard one day if you ride the train enough. It is possibly the most famous photograph of the city, or atleast the most common one.

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: Lambton Quay or Botanic Gardens
  • Phone: 04 472 2199
  • Directions: Lambton Quay in the Central Buisness District or Near the Botanic Gardens in Kelburn.
  • Website: http://www.wellingtonnz.com/CableCar
  • Other Contact: Cablecar@xtra.co.nz

    • Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Wellington Cable Car
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    Te Papa National Museum: Visit New Zealand's Favorite Museum
  • Tip Rating:
  • By djramey on January 17, 2004
  • Email Me
  • See My Wellington Page
  • Send to a Friend
  • Te Papa Museum - Wellington
    Te Papa Museum
    by djramey
    Send Photo to a Friend
    Te Papa, the national museum of New Zealand, means Our Place and rightfully so. Perhaps one of the most useful and interesting museums I've visted, Te Papa gives visitors a view of New Zealand's young history and the story of it's future.

    As you enter the massively beautiful building, you view a large round globe suspended by pressured water. Perhaps it signifies the power of New Zealand and the effects the ocean has on the great country.

    Continuing up the stairs you find areas of dinosaurs and geographical weather systems and how they shaped the country. Also present now in the museum is the Lord of the Rings, and there is a gift shop directly reflecting this.

    Also in Te Papa is a powerful and large Maori culture area. You will find quite a bit of information regarding this side of history and will see some of the most beautiful works of art dealing with the people.

    Te Papa is free to enter but donations are accepted. The gift shops are selling more than just junk and I recommend a ciew of these. Entertain yourself and your partners with a Maori gathering on certain days or just relax by yourself and peruse the exhibits in quiet.

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: Cable Street, Wellington.
  • Phone: 04 - 381 7000
  • Directions: Wellington Waterfront.
  • Website: http://www.tepapa.govt.nz

    • Add to Your Trip Planner  Post a Question  Write a Tip on Te Papa National Museum
    Rate      Not Helpful  1   2   3   4   5  Very Helpful
    1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ... 21
    More Wellington Tips
    Overview
         		General Tips
    Tips: 35 - Photos: 32
    Restaurants
    Tips: 110 - Photos: 58    		Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 55 - Photos: 26
    Things To Do
    Tips: 205 - Photos: 183    		Nightlife
    Tips: 27 - Photos: 13
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 36 - Photos: 33    		Tourist Traps
    Tips: 7 - Photos: 6
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 13 - Photos: 6    		Transportation
    Tips: 55 - Photos: 37
    Local Customs
    Tips: 21 - Photos: 15    		Packing Lists
    Tips: 4 - Photos: 2
    Shopping
    Tips: 24 - Photos: 21    		Sports Travel
    Tips: 14 - Photos: 12
    Flights
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 8

    More Sponsored Links for Wellington
    Search Hotels
    Find the best room rates
    All Wellington Hotels

    Check-In Date:


    Check-Out Date:


    Guests

    Hotels by OneTime.com

    Popular Hotels and Accommodations in Wellington

    » More Hotels and Accommodations in Wellington

    Popular Things To Do in Wellington

    » More Things To Do in Wellington




    Find:        Matching:  Advanced