Top Wellington Day Trips

Gain entry to Zealandia at night and take a guided tour of Zealandia: The Exhibition, which showcases New Zealand’s natural history. Interact with a life-size model moa and Haast’s eagle — both extinct — and learn about the country’s conservation efforts to preserve other native species. Located just minutes from central Wellington, Zealandia includes a night tour of Sanctuary Valley, a fenced eco-sanctuary and safe haven for endemic animal and bird species such as the nocturnal little spotted kiwi.

Zealandia is the world’s first fully fenced urban eco-sanctuary and home to some of New Zealand’s most extraordinary wildlife. This 2-hour guided walking tour will introduce you to native birds such as kakariki, tui, and bellbirds; rare species like takahē; and unique reptiles including green gecko and tuatara. Entrance fees are included.

Experience the wildlife of New Zealand in the early evening with a guided 2,5-hour tour of Zealandia, a wildlife sanctuary located on the outskirts of Wellington. This after-hours tour takes place during the most active period for many resident animals, when they transition from daytime to nighttime activity. You may observe birds returning to their nests, hear nocturnal birds waking up, and learn how the sanctuary restores native habitat.

Whether it’s your first time in Wellington or you just want to see as much as possible during your time in port, this half-day sightseeing tour offers a great introduction to the city and a diverse range of sights. Visit the iconic Weta Cave and the historic Old St. Paul’s Cathedral, ride the Wellington cable car to the top of the city, and enjoy panoramic views from the top of Mount Victoria.

An hour or so north of Wellington, Martinborough is fast making a name for itself as one of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading wine regions. Each weekend, Wellingtonians make the trek over the Remutakas to escape to this European-style wine village. This small group tour is a convenient way to visit Martinborough. There’s no need to stress about driving on country backroads, and no need to plan the day’s itinerary - leaving you to focus on the wine and the iconic scenery.

Maximize your time in port in Wellington with this shore excursion and take in the highlights of the New Zealand capital. Ride the Wellington Cable Car, take in the views from Mount Victoria, explore the old and new St. Paul's Cathedral, visit the famous Weta Cave, and enjoy free time to explore independently. Port pickup and drop-off is included.

Get a personal introduction to Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s premier museum based in Wellington. This 1-hour guided tour provides an overview of the museum’s interactive exhibits, artifacts, fine art and natural history displays so that you can better explore the collection on your own. You’ll get a deeper look at Maori cultural heritage and colonial history with an expert guide who share insights and offers suggestions for galleries that might suit your interests.

Book a shared arrival transfer from Wellington Airport to your hotel doorstep, and enjoy a stress-free start to your trip. It’s a simple, cost-effective option that takes all the hassle out of arranging transportation after you land. Transport is by climate-controlled shuttle.

Enjoy a hassle-free end to your time in Wellington with this shared departure transfer to Wellington Airport. You will be picked up from your accommodation doorstep and transferred by comfortable shuttle to the airport. It’s a budget-friendly alternative to the pricey private taxi rides.

The deserted beaches and wildlife reserves of Kapiti Island lie off the southwest coast of New Zealand’s North Island. On this tour, set sail from Paraparaumu Beach, explore the island on a guided walk, and enjoy free time to stroll along the sandy beaches or take a swim. Along the way, look out for wildlife including whales, possums, and a number of rare birds including kaka and takahe.

Combine award-winning wine and gorgeous scenery on a full-day tour from Wellington to Martinborough that also explores Hutt Valley, the Rimutaka Ranges, the Wairarapa coast, and Lake Onoke. You'll visit Martinborough wineries for cellar tours and tastings, pause for lunch in a vineyard restaurant, then eat dinner at the edge of Lake Onoke after a short shoreline hike. This Martinborough wine tour includes meals and a wine tasting, and it's limited to 11 people to ensure personalized service.

This sightseeing tour is ideal for Cruise Ship travelers and for those visitors who want to experience the best guided half day tour in Wellington. Join Brian from Talk of the Town Tours for an interesting , fun and memorable trip around the Wellington and Hutt Valley regions. You will visit all of the best attractions and experience a visit to the Museum of NZ and the Maori Cultural Centre. Visit the Mount Victoria lookout for panoramic views over Wellington. We will drive out to the Hutt Valley region where we will stop for a light lunch at a local cafe / bakery. This tour will give you "an experience to remember"

Tick off the top attractions of the Windy City on this private full-day tour of Wellington. Experience the myriad delights of New Zealand’s capital as you take in the views from Mt Victoria, spot seals at Red Rocks, then go behind-the-scenes with a 45-minute tour of the Weta Cave, where the special effects for Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were created. After a scrumptious lunch at the Chocolate Fish Café (included), ride the cable car over Wellington and visit landmarks like the Botanical Gardens, the Parliament Buildings and the Beehive.

Spend a day touring the Wairarapa, the most accessible wine producing region from the capital. This convenient tour is ideal for cruise ship passengers or those with limited time in Wellington as return transfers from the central city are provided. Visit three top-notch wineries and taste samples at each, and enjoy a platter-style lunch at one. Spend time in Greytown and Featherston, and visit a Lord of the Rings filming site.

Discover the top attractions of Wellington on this all-day guided tour. The itinerary includes a drive up to the top of Mount Victoria for the views, a visit to Weta Studios on the Miramar Peninsula to see where "Lord of the Rings" was filmed (if option selected), a ride on the Wellington Cable Car, plus stops at the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and Old St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Martinborough - just a stone's throw from central Wellington - is one of New Zealand's most prestigious and awarded wine areas. This full-day tour includes tastings at three boutique wineries, showcasing some of the finest local drops from the region, and travels through beautiful natural scenery featured in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. For those less inclined to wine, stop at a local brewery to try some craft beers.

This tour is all about you. We travel in luxury to the Kapiti region just north of Wellington and can customize the tour to suit your needs.

Kapiti Island is one of New Zealand’s best-kept nature sanctuaries and a predator-free haven for native birds. On this day trip to the island, take a ferry from Paraparaumu Beach and spend your day walking the island, identifying kākā, kōkako, kererū and more with the help of your nature guide. Enjoy a chef-prepared lunch on the island before you head back to the mainland.

The whole Wellington region is known for its mountain biking, but visitors often stick to the shorter central city trails to avoid hiring a car. On this tour, enjoy a longer ride through bird-filled native forest, over bridges and through rail tunnels. Equipment, transport and food are taken care of - all you need to is to be ready and dressed at your accommodation.

Sip your way around Martinborough — a once sleepy colonial town that’s now a prominent wine village at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail — on this private day trip from Wellington. Following hotel or port pickup and a scenic drive through the Wairarapa, you’ll visit three of Martinborough’s renowned wineries. Enjoy a guided wine tasting at each and a lunch platter with wine at Poppies Martinborough. Then, choose to continue hopping around Martinborough’s wineries or travel to nearby Greytown, whose pretty streets are thronged with cafes and antique stores.

Martinborough is known as one of New Zealand's premier wine regions. This private tour takes you to three of the best Martinborough wineries—Palliser Estate, Poppies Martinborough, and Te Kairanga Wines—tastings included. Cellar door experiences let you sample world-class wines. Departure time is flexible, with hotel or port pickup from Wellington.

Your tour is your tour only! No mixed groups! You get to have your own dedicated Driver/Guide and 'Memory Creator' for your entire tour. Enjoy a 7 hour private tour from Wellington to the South Wairarapa covering majestic scenery, visits to Gladstone and Martinborough Wineries including a spectacular platter lunch at one of the wineries we visit. We also visit the beautiful town of Martinborough well recognised for the 'Capital' of Pinot Noir of the North Island. We visit 4 wineries including lunch at a winery. Your tour also includes a private tour at one of the wineries visited covering the winery, vineyard and tastings. If you have any particular winery you wish to visit this can be arranged in advance. Please note this tour is only available for 18 years of age and older.

Take a break from the city and spend the day in Martinborough, one of the finest food and drink destinations in the North Island. Enjoy the views as you leave Wellington and cross the Remutaka Ranges into the Wairarapa region. Visit a cheese factory, a chocolatier, and a winery, tasting some of the finest local produce as you go. Spend some free time in Martinborough at the end, sampling more food if you wish.

Beginner and advanced cyclists alike will enjoy this fun cycling tour through the Remutaka Ranges, on the Remutaka Cycle Trail. The easy-to-moderate trail is suitable for most riders who are up for an adventure, and the standard 11 mile (18 kilometer) route can be lengthened or shortened to suit your needs. Enjoy the forested scenery that you’ll ride through, and learn more about the history of this area from your local guides.