Explore Wellington

Wellington's worth exploring. Here's where to start.

Wellington punches above its weight. World-class food, a proper arts scene, the best coffee in the country (ask any Wellingtonian), and a waterfront that's hard to beat on a clear day. Our team know the city well - here's what we'd send our own family to do.

Where to eat.

Wellington has more restaurants per capita than New York, and a lot of them are genuinely excellent. From waterfront cafes to laneway spots you'd walk past without knowing, here's what our team keeps going back to.

Fine Dining & Special Occasion
  • Logan Brown
  • Rita
  • Highwater Eatery
  • Jano Bistro
  • Ortega Fish Shack
  • Hillside Kitchen
  • Liberty Restaurant

 

What to do in Wellington.

  • Te Papa Tongarewa - New Zealand's national museum. Worth at least a half day.
  • Wellington Waterfront - Walk, cycle, or just sit and watch. One of the best urban waterfronts in the country.
  • Courtenay Place - Wellington's main strip for bars, restaurants, and live entertainment.
  • Sky Stadium - Catch a Hurricanes game, All Blacks test, or major event. We're minutes away.
  • Mount Victoria Lookout - A short drive for panoramic views over the city, harbour, and hills.
  • Wellington Botanic Garden - The cable car up is worth it on its own.
  • Cuba Street - Wellington's most characterful street. Good coffee, independent stores, and street food.
  • Zealandia - A genuine urban wildlife sanctuary - kākā, tuatara, and more, right in the city.
  • Wētā Workshop - Behind-the-scenes tours of one of the world's leading film effects studios.
  • Interislander or Bluebridge ferry - If you haven't done the Marlborough Sounds crossing, add it to the list.

Getting around Wellington.

Wellington is a compact city and genuinely easy to navigate. Free parking is on site at Capital Lodge, so you can drive into the city when it suits and walk or take a short bus ride the rest of the time. The CBD is about 10 minutes by car. Most of the key attractions - the waterfront, Te Papa, Courtenay Place - are within easy walking distance of each other once you're in the centre.

Bus Route 52 – Just 10 Minutes to the City

Enjoy a scenic 10-minute bus ride from Capital Lodge to Wellington City. Bus 52 stops right outside the property and provides a convenient way to travel into the city and back.