Guidebook for Wellington
Sightseeing
ANZAC exhibition is fantastic! A must see while in Wellington.
222 locals recommend
Cable Street near Te Papa Museum
ANZAC exhibition is fantastic! A must see while in Wellington.
New Zealand Parliament Buildings
1 Museum StGreat free tours.
Visit the Mount Victoria Lookout for spectacular panoramic views of Wellington.
178 locals recommend
Mount Victoria Lookout
Lookout RoadVisit the Mount Victoria Lookout for spectacular panoramic views of Wellington.
One of Wellington's most popular tourist attractions, the Wellington Cable Car runs from downtown Wellington to the picturesque suburb of Kelburn and Wellington Botanic Garden. We live at the top.
26 locals recommend
Cable Car Lane
One of Wellington's most popular tourist attractions, the Wellington Cable Car runs from downtown Wellington to the picturesque suburb of Kelburn and Wellington Botanic Garden. We live at the top.
Zealand is home to some of New Zealand's most rare and extraordinary wildlife. Wander through a selection of outdoor walks that take you through beautiful native bush.
255 locals recommend
ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary
53 Waiapu RoadZealand is home to some of New Zealand's most rare and extraordinary wildlife. Wander through a selection of outdoor walks that take you through beautiful native bush.
Botanic gardens only 10 minutes walk from our house. Great for kids as theres a playground and lots of picnic spots.
203 locals recommend
Wellington Botanic Garden
101 Glenmore StBotanic gardens only 10 minutes walk from our house. Great for kids as theres a playground and lots of picnic spots.
The museum will take you back a thousand years and lead you to a vibrant present day Wellington.Ranked as one of the 50 Best Museums in the World by The Times UK.
70 locals recommend
Wellington Museum
3 Jervois QuayThe museum will take you back a thousand years and lead you to a vibrant present day Wellington.Ranked as one of the 50 Best Museums in the World by The Times UK.
A slice of the sunny Kapiti Coast, Queen Elizabeth Park is ideal for swimming, fishing, walking, horse riding, picnics and group events. You'll need a car to get out here.
43 locals recommend
Queen Elizabeth Park
A slice of the sunny Kapiti Coast, Queen Elizabeth Park is ideal for swimming, fishing, walking, horse riding, picnics and group events. You'll need a car to get out here.
Great 360 degree view of Wellington city and South Island. You can drive up here through Brooklyn or walk up following the Zealandia Sanctuary Fence (2 hours)
47 locals recommend
Wellington Wind Turbine
Owhiro Bay ParadeGreat 360 degree view of Wellington city and South Island. You can drive up here through Brooklyn or walk up following the Zealandia Sanctuary Fence (2 hours)
Just a few minutes walk from the city, this golden sand beach is a top spot for a bit of walking, cycling or people watching. It's a safe swimming spot for families.
93 locals recommend
Oriental Bay
Just a few minutes walk from the city, this golden sand beach is a top spot for a bit of walking, cycling or people watching. It's a safe swimming spot for families.
Arguably the most stunning beach in Wellington, it’s a favourite spot for a picnic, a game of beach cricket. Great coffee at Cafe Scorch-a-rama.
24 locals recommend
Scorching Bay - Massey Road station
Arguably the most stunning beach in Wellington, it’s a favourite spot for a picnic, a game of beach cricket. Great coffee at Cafe Scorch-a-rama.
Otari-Wilton's Bush is the only botanic garden in New Zealand solely dedicated to native plants. This unique plant sanctuary and forest reserve consists of 100 hectares of native forest.
52 locals recommend
Otari-Wilton's Bush
150 Wilton RdOtari-Wilton's Bush is the only botanic garden in New Zealand solely dedicated to native plants. This unique plant sanctuary and forest reserve consists of 100 hectares of native forest.
Everything Else
Pukeahu National War Memorial Park
State Highway 1Great history spot
Wellington Regional Stadium is a major sporting venue in Wellington, New Zealand.
56 locals recommend
Westpac Stadium
105 Waterloo QuayWellington Regional Stadium is a major sporting venue in Wellington, New Zealand.
Food Scene
Great Indian restaurant. We think this is the best Indian in town. Only a 10 minute walk to Kelburn Shops. Delicious!
92 Upland Rd
92 Upland RoadGreat Indian restaurant. We think this is the best Indian in town. Only a 10 minute walk to Kelburn Shops. Delicious!
Asian fusion restaurant. Really nice fresh asian food. Great location in the middle of town. Recommend getting a seat in the courtyard outside.
49 locals recommend
Dragonfly
70 Courtenay PlAsian fusion restaurant. Really nice fresh asian food. Great location in the middle of town. Recommend getting a seat in the courtyard outside.
Asian fusion restaurant. Small sharing plates. 2 for 1 plates meals on Monday night are great value and very popular. Great cocktails and there is 2 for 1 on Saturday nights.
39 locals recommend
Chow Tory
45 Tory StAsian fusion restaurant. Small sharing plates. 2 for 1 plates meals on Monday night are great value and very popular. Great cocktails and there is 2 for 1 on Saturday nights.
Mexican restaurant. Cheap and delicious. Very hip vibe with really cool interior.
8 locals recommend
Mexico Wellington
41 Dixon StMexican restaurant. Cheap and delicious. Very hip vibe with really cool interior.
Great atmosphere, with fantastic decor. A little bit fancy so would recommend for a special occasion. Great oysters and seafood.
33 locals recommend
Charley Noble
1 Post Office SquareGreat atmosphere, with fantastic decor. A little bit fancy so would recommend for a special occasion. Great oysters and seafood.
Good for brunch. Very popular in the weekends. Worth the wait for the waffles. Good coffee.
73 locals recommend
Fidel's Cafe
234 Cuba StGood for brunch. Very popular in the weekends. Worth the wait for the waffles. Good coffee.
The Hangar
119 Dixon StCoffee experts! Has a few snacks but only go for the great coffee.
Good brunch menu. Open plan space and good service. Very popular in the weekend so go early. Not open Sundays.
50 locals recommend
Prefab
14 Jessie StGood brunch menu. Open plan space and good service. Very popular in the weekend so go early. Not open Sundays.
Good brunch food. This place is a Wellington institution and has been around for years. They have great coffee which you can buy at local supermarket too.
22 locals recommend
Caffe L'affare
27 College StGood brunch food. This place is a Wellington institution and has been around for years. They have great coffee which you can buy at local supermarket too.
Good fish and chips. Easy walk from here 15 minutes to Oriential Parade to have fish and chips on the beach.
34 locals recommend
Mt Vic Chippery
5 Majoribanks StGood fish and chips. Easy walk from here 15 minutes to Oriential Parade to have fish and chips on the beach.
Cruise around the coast and park up at Lyall Bay for the Maranui Surf Club. If it's a nice day (and not too busy) get a seat on the deck to take advantage of the view.
129 locals recommend
Maranui Cafe
7A Lyall ParadeCruise around the coast and park up at Lyall Bay for the Maranui Surf Club. If it's a nice day (and not too busy) get a seat on the deck to take advantage of the view.
Olive on Cuba Street serves Mediterranean food, Artisan beers and boutique wines, with a lovely little garden out the back.
38 locals recommend
Olive Restaurant
170-172 Cuba StOlive on Cuba Street serves Mediterranean food, Artisan beers and boutique wines, with a lovely little garden out the back.
The 2015 winner of Cuisine magazine’s “Good Food” Best New Restaurant - serves up plenty of New Zealand’s seafood delicacies.
8 locals recommend
Whitebait
1 Clyde Quay WharfThe 2015 winner of Cuisine magazine’s “Good Food” Best New Restaurant - serves up plenty of New Zealand’s seafood delicacies.
Upstairs Victoria Street, WBC is a relatively new restaurant. The menu focuses on seasonal and local ingredients, especially seafood, and delves into classical world cuisines. So good.
107 Victoria St
107 Victoria StreetUpstairs Victoria Street, WBC is a relatively new restaurant. The menu focuses on seasonal and local ingredients, especially seafood, and delves into classical world cuisines. So good.
Memphis Belle Coffee House is a specialty coffee house with good baristas on Dixon Street, serving a range of great coffees from Flight Coffee.
10 locals recommend
Memphis Belle Coffee House
38 Dixon StMemphis Belle Coffee House is a specialty coffee house with good baristas on Dixon Street, serving a range of great coffees from Flight Coffee.
Early evening its quite fancy and very very nice food. Later at night it turns into a cool place to listen to a DJ and have drinks in the outside courtyard.
30 locals recommend
Matterhorn
106 Cuba StEarly evening its quite fancy and very very nice food. Later at night it turns into a cool place to listen to a DJ and have drinks in the outside courtyard.
More low-key dinner spot. Its a local favourite serving relaxed home cooking with influences from New Orleans and Mexico.
29 locals recommend
Sweet Mother's Kitchen
5 Courtenay PlMore low-key dinner spot. Its a local favourite serving relaxed home cooking with influences from New Orleans and Mexico.
Fine dining. Good for a special occasion. As the name suggests, focusses on fresh NZ seafood.
57 locals recommend
Ortega
16 Majoribanks StFine dining. Good for a special occasion. As the name suggests, focusses on fresh NZ seafood.
Very fancy for special occasions. Known for exquisite French-inspired contemporary cuisine and high teas.
14 locals recommend
Hippopotamus Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
90 Cable StVery fancy for special occasions. Known for exquisite French-inspired contemporary cuisine and high teas.
Burger Liquor on Willis Street serves delicious burgers and beverages.
6 locals recommend
Burger Liquor
129 Willis StBurger Liquor on Willis Street serves delicious burgers and beverages.
Ekim Burgers
257 Cuba StOutdoor burger bar. Cheap and easy.
13 Leeds St
Best pizza in town.
Ombra
199 Cuba StAmazing little plates. Highly recommend the food!
Sushi Bi
2 Woodward StBest sushi in town. Theres a few Sushi B's around Wellington.
House of Dumplings
117 Taranaki StGreat dumplings! Fresh and delicious. Very small so recommend take away.
Drinks & Nightlife
Cool bar with great drinks. Food is also fantastic. Very cool hangout in Wellington.
81 locals recommend
Havana Bar
34 Wigan StCool bar with great drinks. Food is also fantastic. Very cool hangout in Wellington.
This is a new bar which is slightly hidden away. Popular on Friday nights after work. And great for craft beer lovers.
48 locals recommend
Golding's Free Dive
This is a new bar which is slightly hidden away. Popular on Friday nights after work. And great for craft beer lovers.
Good little beer bar. Often have low key jazz bands. They have over 100 bottled beers and 14 taps.
30 locals recommend
Little Beer Quarter
6 Edward StGood little beer bar. Often have low key jazz bands. They have over 100 bottled beers and 14 taps.
Hummingbird is a multi-award winning eatery and bar founded in 2000. Hummingbird is open until late for dinner, drinks, cocktails and good times
7 locals recommend
Hummingbird Eatery & Bar
22 Courtenay PlaceHummingbird is a multi-award winning eatery and bar founded in 2000. Hummingbird is open until late for dinner, drinks, cocktails and good times
Sports bar. The Green Man is a Kiwi-Irish bar who play all the major sports games.
6 locals recommend
The Green Man Pub
25 Victoria StSports bar. The Green Man is a Kiwi-Irish bar who play all the major sports games.
The Library
53 Courtenay PlGreat cocktail bar. Recommend the Doris plum cocktail.
C G R Merchant & Co. is great little bar located on Courtenay Place, famous for their Salted Caramel Rum and various other infused spirits.
46 Courtenay Pl
46 Courtenay PlaceC G R Merchant & Co. is great little bar located on Courtenay Place, famous for their Salted Caramel Rum and various other infused spirits.
Asian restaurant and bar provides diners with an elegant, yet comfortable, space for sharing excellent food and exclusive drinks. Great courtyard outback. A bit fancy.
15 locals recommend
Ancestral
33 Courtenay PlaceAsian restaurant and bar provides diners with an elegant, yet comfortable, space for sharing excellent food and exclusive drinks. Great courtyard outback. A bit fancy.
Essentials
One stop gourmet grocery Moore Wilson's Fresh. A supermarket food-lovers’ dream. Also conveniently located nearby fab brunch spots Prefab and Caffé L’affare.
102 locals recommend
Moore Wilson's
College StreetOne stop gourmet grocery Moore Wilson's Fresh. A supermarket food-lovers’ dream. Also conveniently located nearby fab brunch spots Prefab and Caffé L’affare.
New World Thorndon
150 Molesworth StGood selection of food. Lots of international produce.
Glengarry Wines - Kelburn
85 Upland RdWine and spirits store
Commonsense Wellington City
147 Tory StOrganic supermarket.
Arts & Culture
Weta Cave is the shop front of the world famous Oscar-winning Weta Workshop. Here you can view a selection of props, pick up collectibles and watch an exclusive behind-the-scenes film.
174 locals recommend
The Weta Cave
1 Weka StWeta Cave is the shop front of the world famous Oscar-winning Weta Workshop. Here you can view a selection of props, pick up collectibles and watch an exclusive behind-the-scenes film.
A fancy movie theatre at the end of Courtenay Place. Hosted the Lord Of the Rings premiers.
79 locals recommend
BATS Theatre
1 Kent TerraceA fancy movie theatre at the end of Courtenay Place. Hosted the Lord Of the Rings premiers.
Cute and cosy movie theatre. Mainly shows boutique and arts films. Like been at home on the couch with a glass of wine or coffee.
52 locals recommend
Light House Cuba
29 Wigan StCute and cosy movie theatre. Mainly shows boutique and arts films. Like been at home on the couch with a glass of wine or coffee.
The beating heart of New Zealand theatre for more than 25 years, you’ll find an exciting, affordable, and unpredictable live theatre experience at BATS almost every night of the year.
79 locals recommend
BATS Theatre
1 Kent TerraceThe beating heart of New Zealand theatre for more than 25 years, you’ll find an exciting, affordable, and unpredictable live theatre experience at BATS almost every night of the year.
Located in the heart of Civic Square, City Gallery Wellington offers world-class exhibitions of contemporary New Zealand and international art.
72 locals recommend
City Gallery Wellington
Located in the heart of Civic Square, City Gallery Wellington offers world-class exhibitions of contemporary New Zealand and international art.
The New Zealand Portrait Gallery is a significant visual archive of the many faces of New Zealand. The gallery has over 200 portraits of people who have shaped New Zealand's development.
6 locals recommend
New Zealand Portrait Gallery
60 Lady Elizabeth LaneThe New Zealand Portrait Gallery is a significant visual archive of the many faces of New Zealand. The gallery has over 200 portraits of people who have shaped New Zealand's development.
Entertainment & Activities
This planetarium offers a state of the art, digital experience for a virtual space journey from Wellington. Just at the top of the Cable Car 10 minutes form our house.
23 locals recommend
Space Place at Carter Observatory
40 Salamanca RdThis planetarium offers a state of the art, digital experience for a virtual space journey from Wellington. Just at the top of the Cable Car 10 minutes form our house.
Kaffee Eis
236 Oriental ParadeVery yum gelato