Wellington City

City · Wellington Region, 🇳🇿 New Zealand

Population 215,400

Area 290 km²

Time zone Pacific/Auckland

Official website wellington.govt.nz

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Featured Lists

(WT-shared) Shoestring at wts wikivoyage / CC BY-SA 1.0

Wellington City Unmissables

Wellington’s compact center combines political history at the Beehive and Parliament House with the natural sanctuary of Zealandia, a fenced ecosanctuary for native species. The iconic red Wellington Cable Car connects the central shopping district to the Botanic Garden, while Cuba Street offers a pedestrianized hub featuring the kinetic Bucket Fountain. For film enthusiasts, the Wētā Cave showcases props and design work from major Hollywood productions. Coastal views are accessible via the promenade at Oriental Bay or the elevated lookouts atop Mount Victoria.

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CC-BY-SA-3.0

Notable Places of Worship

Wellington’s spiritual landscape features a blend of historic timber Gothic architecture and modern cultural centers. Notable sites include Old St Paul’s, a 19th-century former cathedral renowned for its native timber interior, and St Mary of the Angels, a landmark Gothic Revival church. The collection also highlights the city's diversity with the Kurinji Kumaran Temple, New Zealand's first South Indian-style Hindu temple, alongside various Anglican, Catholic, and community-focused parishes across the suburbs.

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John Markos O'Neill / CC BY-SA 2.0

Viewpoints and Peaks

Wellington’s steep topography provides diverse vantage points, from the accessible Mount Victoria Lookout to the rugged heights of Te Kopahou. This list features the historic Wellington Cable Car and the Interislander Terminal for harbor views, alongside high points like Hawkins Hill—the city's highest peak at 495 meters. Hikers can explore summits such as Rangituhi / Colonial Knob and the Makara Peak mountain bike park, while coastal sites like the WWII observation point and the Devil’s Gate rock formation offer perspectives on the region's military history and geological features.

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4nitsirk / CC BY-SA 2.0

Wellington Museums & Galleries

Wellington’s cultural landscape spans cinematic history, contemporary art, and Victorian-era heritage. Visit The Wētā Cave to see the workshop behind Hollywood blockbusters like The Lord of the Rings and Avatar. Explore contemporary exhibitions at City Gallery Te Whare Toi, or delve into 19th-century domestic life at the Nairn Street Cottage. For science and technology, Space Place at Carter Observatory offers astronomical insights from the top of the Botanic Garden, while the Cable Car Museum preserves the original transport systems that once navigated the city's steep terrain.

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Public domain

Wellington Parks and Nature

Wellington’s landscape features a mix of managed gardens and wild coastal terrain. The 25-hectare Botanic Garden offers hillside views and diverse plant collections, while the Waterfront provides access to the natural harbour. Modern recreation spaces like Waitangi Park contrast with the rugged south coast, where sites like Sinclair Head and Te Raekaihau showcase unique geological formations. From the sheltered sands of Scorching Bay to the wind-swept trails of the West Wind Recreation Area, the region offers varied environments for outdoor exploration.

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Karora / Public domain

Wellington's Historic Sites

Wellington’s coastline holds remnants of its strategic military past and maritime tragedies. This collection features the Wright's Hill Fortress and Kau Point Battery, 19th and 20th-century coastal defenses built to protect the harbor. It includes memorials dedicated to Prime Minister William Massey and the victims of the SS Penguin shipwreck, alongside the Woollahra Anchor. History enthusiasts can also explore the HMNZS Wellington shipwreck and WWII observation ruins, offering insights into New Zealand's naval history and wartime vigilance.

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