City break itinerary: Two to three nights in Wellington

Day one — welcome to Wellington

Visitors to Wellington often arrive in the afternoon. If your clients arrive by air, it is only a short 15-minute taxi or Airport Express bus ride into the city centre. For clients arriving by inter-island ferry, it is an even shorter taxi ride to their central city accommodation.

After checking in, your clients should head out to explore the city on foot. They can grab a flat white coffee before exploring the boutique and vintage shops along Cuba Street, or designer shopping on Willis and Victoria Streets.

Before dinner, your clients can join a guided Twilight Tour and explore Wellington’s world-first ecosanctuary, Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, as it transforms from day to night.

A small grey-green lizard in the grass at Zealandia.

People walk through dense bush on a Twilight Tour at Zealandia.

The exterior of Wellington Apothecary, a health and wellness store located on Cuba Street in Te Aro, Wellington.

Interior of Evil Twins, focused on the graffiti wall.

Day Two — a full day to explore

Book your clients on a guided sightseeing tour so they can take in the city’s highlights and scenic spots. After their tour, they can enjoy lunch in an inner-city laneway like Hannah’s Laneway or Lombard Lane, or at one of the lunch spots along Wellington’s waterfront.

A visit to New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa is a must for any visit to Wellington. Start your clients’ visit with a Te Papa Highlights Tour followed by free time to explore the six storeys of interactive exhibitions.

To finish a big day of exploring, your clients can relax over dinner and drinks at one of New Zealand’s top restaurants before heading to a show at one of the city’s top venues.

Two children and two adults are in a Māori exhibition in Te Papa Museum in Wellington admiring the woodwork that's displayed.

A family walks down the rainbow steps outside the chocolatefactory in Hannahs Laneway.

The Wellington Cable Car parked at the top terminal, people walk in and out of the doors.

Day three — go beyond the city

If your clients have time to stay for an additional night, we highly recommend they explore the wider Wellington region.

Book your clients on a private tour of the Wairarapa region with Kaewa Tours. They can explore three distinct wine areas of the Wairarapa region on a Wairarapa Winery Tour, or sample everything from cheeses and chocolates to wine and wild coastlines on a South Wairarapa Tour.

Alternatively, your clients could visit Kapiti Island to immerse themselves in nature and Māori hospitality. Kapiti Island Nature Tours’ full-day tour, Wellington return, includes transfers from the city.

3 people in beekeeping suits inspect a wooden hive in a paddock.

2 people enjoy a charcuterie board and wine at Kaewa Tours.

A tour guide telling a group of people about the Kiwi, while holding up a picture.

Day four — before they go

This morning, send your clients to experience moviemaking magic before they depart Wellington. Book them on a Wētā Workshop Experience + Guided Transfers to go behind-the-scenes and learn about movie effects, costumes, props, and more.

Afterward, they can pop next door to The Larder for lunch, before taking a 5-minute taxi ride to Wellington Airport. Here, they can discover more large-scale Wētā Workshop sculptures like Gandalf and the Giant Eagles, and Smaug the Dragon.

The Wellington Airport Wētā Sculpture of Gandalf the Grey riding Gwaihir, the giant eagle from Lord of the Rings.

Do they want to stay in Wellington longer?

If your clients would like to extend their time in Wellington, there are plenty more things to see and do. Here are some additional products you could include in their itinerary:

The view of Wellington city from Mount Victoria at sunset.

Introducing Wellington

Wellington is a compact city with a compelling mix of culture, history, nature and cuisine, making it the perfect addition to your client’s New Zealand itinerary.

View of Wellington Cable Car and Wellington city from the Kelburn Lookout.

Self-drive itinerary: Two to three nights in Wellington

Let your self-drive clients see the best of Wellington with two nights in the central city and one night in Kāpiti Coast or the Wairarapa region. With a wide range of accommodation options, you will be able to find the perfect spot to meet your client’s needs.

Waiter setting a table inside Ortega Fish Shack. A large Marlin is mounted on one wall and a very large painting of a lake is on the other.

Restaurant suggestions for groups

Looking for a restaurant suitable for a group? Wellington has a number of dining options that can cater to your client’s needs.

Boats are moored on the Wellington waterfront. Te Papa is in the background.

Wellington blurbs for tourism

Here is text about Wellington that you can freely use for your brochures or websites.

A helicopter flying over the Wellington Harbour with the city centre visible in the background.

Transport and accommodation product updates

Find out what transport and accommodation has changed for the 2024/2025 tourism trade season.

Inside Puffin wine bar on Ghuznee Street in Te Aro, Wellington. Round velvet booths line the walls of exposed concrete. There are patrons enjoying drinks in the dimly lit space.

Iconic Wellington dining experiences

A foodie paradise, Wellington has plenty of high-quality places to eat. If you’re looking for some of the most iconic, quintessential ‘Wellington’ hospitality experiences, then add these must-do spots to your list.