Things to do in Wellington, New Zealand

When friends and family come to town

Here’s a list of things I like to do when we have people from overseas come to visit. Everything from great places to eat, where to find a craft beer, a decent coffee and various activities and attractions all over Wellington, New Zealand.

Places to eat

Yoshi Sushi & Bento The only Japanese and Kiwi-run sushi shop in Wellington. Using authentic Japanese ingredients and recipes, this has been a CBD staple since 2010. Now at Press Hall, 80 Willis Street.

Asian Kitchen A solid spot for Asian food right in the city centre

Sweet Mother’s Kitchen New Orleans-style comfort food on Courtenay Place. Think po’ boys, jambalaya, waffles, homemade pies, and boozy milkshakes in a fun, eclectic setting. Open seven days.

Fidel’s Café A Wellington institution since 1996, currently running as a pop-up at Havana Bar on Wigan Street. Open Tues to Sun from 9am.

Where to get craft beer

Saint John’s Bar A beautiful art deco bar right on the Wellington waterfront. Great craft and international tap beers, solid food, and a sunny outdoor area that’s hard to beat.

Golding’s Free Dive A friendly, unpretentious craft beer bar tucked away on Leeds Street.

D4 on Featherston Wellington’s go-to Irish local with a top craft beer selection, great food, and plenty of good craic. Now at Level 1, 145 Featherston Street.

The Malthouse Wellington’s original craft beer bar, going strong since 1993. Now on Willis Street, with 30 taps and over 150 bottles across six temperature-controlled fridges. A proper institution.

Where to get a decent coffee

Mojo Wellington’s beloved specialty coffee roasters with cafes dotted across the city. Passionate about quality, great for coffee geeks and everyday drinkers alike.

The Flight Coffee Hangar Specialty coffee roasters with a flagship café on Willis Street. Known for their single origins, seasonal blends, and genuine love of a good brew.

Loretta A warm, wood-fired eatery on Cuba Street where the Mediterranean meets New Zealand. Great all-day spot for food, wine, and a relaxed vibe.

What to do in Wellington

Fergs Kayaks Kayak tours and rentals on the water. Their website is currently Auckland-focused, so it’s worth checking in directly for Wellington availability.

Real Surf

Oriental Bay Wellington’s go-to beach right in the city. Great for a swim, a walk, or just soaking up the view.

Te Papa Museum New Zealand’s national museum and one of the best free attractions in the country. Home to over two million taonga spanning art, natural history, NZ history, and Pacific cultures. Open daily 10am to 6pm.

Wellington Cable Car A five-minute ride from Lambton Quay up to Kelburn, with brilliant views over the city and harbour. Great access to the Botanic Garden and Space Place at the top.

Botanical Garden Beautiful gardens right next to the cable car. Perfect for a wander after the ride up.

Space Place at Carter Observatory A brilliant planetarium tucked up in the Botanic Garden, right near the cable car. Interactive exhibits, live telescope sessions, and dome shows about the southern skies.

East by West Ferries Wellington’s harbour ferry service, running from Queens Wharf to Days Bay and Mātiu/Somes Island. They also run harbour explorer tours on their electric ferry, which is a pretty cool way to see the city.

Cuba Street Wellington’s most iconic street, full of great cafes, shops, and street art. Worth a wander any time of day.

City Gallery Wellington Wellington’s contemporary art gallery, currently running exhibitions at the National Library while its Civic Square home is being earthquake-strengthened. It reopens in October 2026, so keep an eye on their site.

Weta Workshop A must-do for film fans. Go behind the scenes of one of the world’s great special effects studios, with props and costumes from The Lord of the Rings, Avatar, and more. Located in Miramar, about 20 minutes from the city.

The Roxy Cinema A gorgeous restored art deco cinema in Miramar at the heart of Wellington’s film industry. Two screens, a great cocktail bar, and the wonderful CoCo restaurant next door.

Wellington Zoo New Zealand’s oldest zoo with a strong conservation focus. Home to everything from giraffes to tuatara, and great for families.

New Zealand Parliament Free guided tours of the Beehive and Parliament buildings run daily. A surprisingly interesting way to spend an hour.

Staglands Wildlife Reserve A brilliant day out in the Akatarawa Valley, about an hour from Wellington. You get to wander freely among the animals, feed them, and really interact with the wildlife rather than just watching from a distance. There’s also a lovely café on site. A great one for families.

Chaffers Market (Sunday only)

Mount Victoria Lookout One of the best views in Wellington. A short drive or walk from the city and completely free.

Mount Kaukau A great hike with sweeping views over the city and out to the Kāpiti Coast on a clear day.