Wellington 5 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and City Centre Exploration

Morning

  • Arrive at Wellington Airport.
  • Take a taxi or bus (Airport Flyer) to your accommodation.
  • Check-in to your hotel. We recommend the Hotel Grand, located in the heart of Wellington’s business district.

Afternoon

  • Start your day at the Te Papa Museum. Entry is free, but some exhibitions require a ticket purchase. Don’t miss the huge squid in the Te Papa giant squid exhibition!
  • Next, visit the National Library of New Zealand (free entry). Even if you’re not interested in books, their architecture and views are worth seeing.
  • Enjoy lunch at Fidel’s Café, known for its Italian cuisine.

Evening

  • Explore Cuba Street. Known as Wellington’s ‘bohemian quarter’, this street is lined with boutique shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. There’s always something happening here - check what live music events are on while you’re in town.
  • Enjoy dinner at Logan Brown Restaurant & Bar, a popular spot for its innovative New Zealand cuisine.

Day 2: Wellington City

Morning

  • Visit the Wellington Museum (free entry). Located on the waterfront, this museum explores the history and culture of Wellington. It’s housed in an old Bond Store building.
  • Next, visit the Cable Car (entry $8 adult, return ticket) that takes you to the top of Mount Victoria, offering panoramic views of the city.

Afternoon

  • Explore the Courtenay Place area. This is Wellington’s main shopping street and features a mix of large stores and smaller boutiques.
  • Enjoy lunch at Dante’s Pizzeria & Bar, known for its Italian food.

Evening

  • Catch a show or concert at St James Theatre (varies). A popular spot for live performances, including opera and musicals.

Day 3: Wellington Coastline

Morning

  • Visit the Wellington Waterfront. This scenic area is great for walking and features plenty of cafes and restaurants.
  • Enjoy breakfast or brunch at The Boatshed, located right on the waterfront.

Afternoon

  • Explore the Mount Victoria Lookout (free entry). This spot offers great views of the city and surrounding coastline.
  • Visit Red Rocks Beach (free entry), known for its red rock formations.

Evening

  • Enjoy dinner at The Green Room, a popular restaurant located in the heart of Wellington’s business district.

Day 4: Wairarapa Region

Morning

  • Take a day trip to the Wairarapa region. The Martinborough area is known for its wineries and gourmet restaurants.
  • Visit the Martinborough Wine Village (free entry). This village features many winery shops and cafes where you can sample local wines.

Afternoon

  • Enjoy lunch at The Vineyard Restaurant, located in a beautiful garden setting.
  • Explore the Greytown area. Known as “New Zealand’s prettiest country town”, this historic town is filled with boutique shops and restaurants.

Day 5: Wellington Coastline

Morning

  • Visit the Scenic Marine Drive (free entry). This scenic drive offers stunning views of the coastline.
  • Enjoy breakfast or brunch at The Boatshed, located right on the waterfront.

Afternoon

  • Explore the Wellington Botanic Garden (free entry). A beautiful garden with a mix of native and exotic plants.
  • Visit Cuba Street, known as Wellington’s ‘bohemian quarter’. This street is lined with boutique shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. There’s always something happening here - check what live music events are on while you’re in town.

Evening

  • Enjoy dinner at Logan Brown Restaurant & Bar, a popular spot for its innovative New Zealand cuisine.
  • Return to your hotel, pack up and get ready to leave Wellington the next morning.

Things to Know:

  • Weather: Wellington’s weather is known for being unpredictable. Make sure you’re prepared with an umbrella or raincoat.
  • Transportation: Wellington has a good public transport system, including buses and a cable car. You can also rent a car if you prefer.
  • Safety: Wellington is generally a safe city, but take the usual precautions to protect yourself and your belongings.

Tips:

  • Try some of Wellington’s famous coffee at one of its many cafes.
  • Don’t miss out on trying some of New Zealand’s great food and wine.
  • If you have time, take a day trip to the Wairarapa region for its wineries and gourmet restaurants.