How to Spend Three Days in Wellington, NZ’s Cool Little Capital

I picked the wrong time of year to visit the capital of Aotearoa New Zealand. Autumn was in full force, and my three days in Wellington were full of rain, wind and mist, meaning the city was not looking its best. But if that was Wellington not at its best, then I’m impressed. Commonly called the ‘coolest little capital on Earth’, Wellington is chock-full of cool buildings, cool things to do and cool people. From incredible museums to great views, an impressive food culture, this city is also a paradise for film lovers. One of the best things about the city is that there’s a great mix of indoor and outdoor activities, so no matter the weather, you’ll find something to entertain.

Despite the really bad weather, Wellington is one of my top destinations to visit in New Zealand. As a small city, you don’t need more than a few days to see the highlights, but there’s still plenty to do!

Side-note: please don’t judge the quality of my photos. I had no idea how to use my camera back then! Oh, and disclaimer: this website contains affiliate links. If you make a booking or purchase using any of the links provided, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This will help me to continue this blog and my wildlife work!

Day 1 in Wellington – Film props & NZ history

Wētā Workshop

The first of my three days in Wellington was probably the worst, weather-wise. Foggy, windy, horizontal rain…not pleasant. So I did the smart thing and stayed out of it. Hopping on a bus out to the Miramar Penisula, a suburb to the south of the city, I headed to the Wētā Workshop, on the corner of Camperdown Road and Weka Street. I’m a BIG Lord of the Rings fan. Like, pretty massive, in a tried to learn Elvish, spent a year in New Zealand because of it way.

So, understandably, the company co-founded by Peter Jackson that created the props and digital effects for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies (amongst other well-known films), was a major fan moment for me. The actual bow held by Legolas, the famous Sting, and a suit of fake chain-mail worn by Orlando Bloom in Kingdom of Heaven; they all sent nerdy little shivers down my spine.

While the giftshop is cool in itself and seeing the huge trolls sitting at the entrance is reason enough to visit, I highly recommend paying for the tour of the workshop, it’s well worth the extra fee. Who needs to eat when you can see Sauron’s armour instead?

If you love LOTR as much as me, then why not spend an entire day exploring everything Tolkien in Wellington? This day-long guided tour takes you to multiple filming locations around the city and its surrounds, as well as to the Wētā Workshop, all with knowledgeable film-buff guides (some of whom actually have first-hand experience with working on the films!). I really wish this tour had existed when I visited Wellington!

Te Papa Tongarewa, Museum of New Zealand

After spending the morning at the Wētā Workshop, head over to Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. For a free museum, Te Papa is extremely impressive. Hell, for a $15 fee, this would still be impressive. Its five floors could fill an entire day, but I managed see a lot of it in a couple of hours.

Exhibits cover the geological and environmental history of New Zealand, native flora and fauna, a detailed history of quakes and volcanos (they even show you how a quake feels from inside a shaking house), and a large section on Māori mythology and history. There is an entire floor dedicated to the Kiwi people over the last two centuries, right up through its political history to the present day. I really enjoyed this museum, and could happily go back to finish off what I missed the first time. Temporary exhibits rotate throughout the year, so there’s always something new to see. Check their website to see what’s currently showing.

Note: while I said above the museum is free, that only applies to NZ citizens and residents. If you’re on a student or Working Holiday Visa, this counts, but if you’re on a tourist visa, you’ll have to pay the entry fee. Booking online saves you the hassle of queuing, which is a great way to save time when you’re only in Wellington for three days or less.

Day 2 in Wellington – Gardens & Parliament

Cable Car & Carter Conservatory

My second day in Wellington dawned a little brighter than the first. Not much brighter, but the rain managed to stay away at least. As such, I headed into the city to the Cable Car, taking the short journey up the steep slopes of Wellington to the Botanic Gardens. You can purchase tickets at the ticket office at the car, but it is also included in many walking and guided tours of the city.

Now me being a poor and stingy traveller, I had decided not to go to the Carter Conservatory (now called Space Place), even though it looked pretty interesting. But something made me stop in to have a quick look. For once my timing was actually good, as they were having an Easter special, allowing visitors in for free. A good hour and a half were spent wandering around the Observatory, following the history of the Universe through the Big Bang to present. It is laid out really well, with great displays. The Māori interpretations of the stars and the mythology that goes along with it made the place particularly interesting.

Wellington Botanic Gardens & Bolton Cemetery

Stepping back out into the mist, I walked back down towards the city through the Botanic Gardens, another beautiful park that would probably be a lot more enjoyable in good weather. Nevertheless, having gorgeous gardens almost all to yourself is nothing to scoff at. Apart from a couple of joggers, very few people were venturing outdoors.

The Peace Garden is particularly stunning with it’s long flowing waterfall and little pond. The Duck Pond is also very cute. There are multiple paths meandering through the nature of the Gardens, and on a sunny day you could spend a lot of time here. Head north east down the slop towards the Bolton Cemetery, which is a surprisingly beautiful area (similar to the one I visited in Sighisoara). This cemetery, divided into three sections – public, Anglican and Jewish – is also bisected by a controversial motorway that meant thousands of burials had to be disinterred and reburied in a mass grave.

Parliament

The Parliamentary Buildings are the Beehive (the main seat of the government), the Parliamentary House (a forbidding grey Edwardian Neoclassical block) and the Parliamentary Library (a Victorian Gothic building next door that’s painted a very flamboyant pink colour). Hourly free tours are offered (yay for cheap travel!), giving a brief overview of the political history and modern goings-on within New Zealand’s parliament. The tour (mine given by a rather exuberant American) shows you just enough to make you think there’s a lot more going on than they want you to know. But that’s governments, isn’t it?

Day 3 – Mount Victoria

On the last of my three days in Wellington, I walked to the outskirts of the city, to Mount Victoria, the city’s best look-out, which was also used as a Lord Of The Rings filming location. But the fog being worse than ever, my views from the top were trees, a few vague building outlines and white mist as far as the eye could see. I’m sure it’s usually a gorgeous view! I was happy enough just to wander through the beautiful Hobbiton Woods, though I never did find the exact spot where the LOTR filming took place (just another reason to take that guided film tour!).

Mount Victoria is a very popular place to visit with both locals and visitors. It’s a beautiful stretch of nature right on the edge of the city, so it’s easily accessible, with several short trails through the forest.

Other Things to do in Wellington

Have coffee on Cuba Street

Cuba Street is the heart of the city’s cultural area, a popular spot for both locals and visitors. This pedestrianised street has loads of quirky boutiques, restaurants and vintage shops, as well as plenty of cafes to choose from. Wellington is often called the ‘Coffee Capital’, and Cuba Street is the perfect place to discover this for yourself.

Explore the city’s food scene

Cuba Street has some amazing food options, but the city is known for its incredible diversity and quality of options. From locally sourced produce to inhouse breweries, you won’t go hungry in this city. Check out Best Restaurants list of the Top 10 Restaurants in Wellington.

Get out on the water

As a harbourfront city, it would be a shame to visit Wellington and not get out on the water. Take a kayak tour around the city, hop on the ferry from Queen’s Wharf to Matiu / Somes Island, a historical place turned into a protected reserve, or go on on a cruise around the harbour.

Entry Prices for Wellington Attractions (as of April 2026):

• Wētā Workshop: from NZ$59
• Te Papa: Free for NZ citizens and residents on longer visas, NZ$35 for international tourists
• Cable Car: NZ$6.50 one way, NZ$12 return
• Carter Observatory/Space Place: NZ$16 for adults, NZ$10 for under 14s

Where to stay: The Marion is the highest-rated hostel in Wellington, and has a fantastic central location. Reviews praise its social nature, multiple common areas and large kitchen, and great staff. If you’re looking for private or more luxurious accommodation, there are plenty of hotels, guesthouses and apartments to choose from.

Would you spend three days in Wellington? If you decide to visit, I hope the weather is better for you than it was for me!

Like this post? Pin it for later!