The best of
Wellington. Ranked.

1. #1

   Editor's Pick
   

   Kapiti Island Nature Tours

   The only accommodation provider on Kapiti Island — day walks plus overnight stays in glamping tents, cabins or a beach bungalow, with meals and a night kiwi-spotting walk included.

   Local tip: It books out a long way ahead — the next round of bookings opens 4 September 2026.

   Departs Paraparaumu Beach, Kāpiti Coast· Departures by booking

   IslandKiwi spottingOvernight
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
2. #2
   

   Wētā Workshop Experiences

   The Miramar workshop tour, starting at the Wētā Cave store — how props, costumes and creatures are made for films like The Lord of the Rings and Avatar.

   Local tip: The "There and Back Again" ticket combines the workshop tour with the miniature-effects tour in one visit.

   Cnr Weka Street & Camperdown Road, Miramar· Daily — see website

   FilmMiramarTour
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
3. #3
   

   Mātiu/Somes Island

   A predator-free island reserve in the middle of the harbour, reached by the East by West ferry from Queens Wharf — walking tracks, tuatara and harbour views in every direction.

   Local tip: Every visitor has to do a quarantine bag-check in the shelter on the wharf when they land — pack so you can open everything easily.

   Wellington Harbour — ferry from Queens Wharf· Ferry sailings daily

   IslandDOC reserveWalking
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
4. #4
   

   Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne

   A 225-hectare fenced valley 10 minutes from the CBD with more than 40 bird species, many found nowhere else in mainland New Zealand.

   Local tip: The by-night tour is the one to book if you want a realistic shot at seeing kiwi.

   End of Waiapu Road, Karori· Daily 9am–4:30pm, last entry 4pm

   Eco sanctuaryNative birdsKarori
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
5. #5
   

   East by West Ferries

   Harbour ferry operator running since 1989 — Queens Wharf to Days Bay and Mātiu/Somes Island, aboard Ika Rere, the southern hemisphere's first electric ferry.

   Local tip: Days Bay makes an easy half-day: ferry over, walk the beach, eat, ferry back.

   Queens Wharf, Wellington Waterfront· See website for sailings

   FerryDays BayHarbour
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
6. #6
   

   Staglands Wildlife Reserve

   $$

   An Akatarawa Valley reserve where the animals roam free and visitors walk among and feed them — no pre-booking needed.

   Local tip: Adult $29, child (4–16) $12, family pass $82 — and you can just turn up, which is rare for a day trip this size.

   2362 Akatarawa Road, Upper Hutt· Open daily 9:30am–5pm

   FamilyAnimalsUpper Hutt
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
7. #7
   

   Ferg's Kayaks

   Waterfront kayak, paddleboard and bike hire with an indoor climbing wall upstairs, right next to Switched On Bikes on Queens Wharf.

   Local tip: The harbour is calmest in the morning — by afternoon the northerly usually has an opinion.

   Shed 6, Queens Wharf, Wellington Waterfront· See website

   KayakWaterfrontActive
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
8. #8
   

   Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre

   The exhibition centre across the road from Te Papa, hosting ticketed touring international exhibitions.

   Local tip: Worth checking whenever the weather kills an outdoor plan — it is a two-minute walk from Te Papa.

   50 Cable Street, Te Aro· See website for exhibitions

   ExhibitionsIndoorWaterfront
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
9. #9
   

   Otari-Wilton's Bush

   New Zealand's only public botanic garden devoted entirely to native plants — around 1,200 species, an 18-metre canopy walkway and an ~800-year-old rimu.

   Local tip: Free, and close enough to town to pair with a Karori or Kelburn stop rather than being a whole day on its own.

   160 Wilton Road, Wilton· Daily dawn–dusk

   Native bushFreeWalking
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
10. #10
    

    Interislander Ferry

    The 3.5-hour Cook Strait crossing to Picton — the biggest day trip on this list, and one of the more spectacular ferry routes anywhere.

    Local tip: As a day trip it only works on the early sailing out and the late one back — check the timetable before committing.

    Aotea Quay / Kaiwharawhara terminal· Multiple daily sailings

    Cook StraitPictonScenic
    Maps ReviewsWebsite

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