New Zealand · City Guide
Wellington
Wellington is New Zealand's compact and culturally vibrant capital, an extraordinary city for its size combining the world class Te Papa Museum, an outstanding café and restaurant scene, a beautiful harbour, the remarkable Zealandia sanctuary, easy access to the vineyards of Martinborough and the most sophisticated cultural life in the country. Often overlooked by visitors rushing to Queenstown or Auckland, Wellington richly rewards those who spend time in New Zealand's coolest little capital.
Elect's take
"Wellington is the New Zealand city that most consistently surprises and impresses. The combination of Te Papa, the extraordinary café culture, the beautiful harbour and the quality of the restaurant scene creates a city with a cultural life that significantly exceeds its size."
Te Papa Tongarewa is one of the finest national museums in the world, providing an outstanding exploration of New Zealand's natural history, Maori culture, Pacific heritage and European settlement in a spectacular interactive building on the Wellington waterfront. The café and coffee culture of Wellington is extraordinary for a city of 200,000 people, with Havana, Customs Brew Bar and Cuba Street providing some of the finest coffee experiences in New Zealand. The Zealandia eco-sanctuary provides remarkable wildlife encounters with kiwi, tuatara and rare birds in a fenced valley immediately above the city. Martinborough wine country, one hour north, produces outstanding Pinot Noir. The Wellington waterfront is beautiful.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Te Papa Museum
One of the world's finest national museums exploring New Zealand's history and Maori culture.
Wellington Coffee Culture
Extraordinary café culture for a small city, with outstanding independent roasters.
Zealandia Sanctuary
Remarkable kiwi, tuatara and rare bird encounters in an urban wildlife sanctuary.
Martinborough Wine
Outstanding Pinot Noir from New Zealand's most celebrated smaller wine region.
Wellington Harbour
A beautiful harbour with outstanding waterfront promenade, restaurants and arts venues.
Cuba Street
Wellington's bohemian arts street of independent galleries, cafés and boutiques.
