Wellington – Half day city Sightseeing Tour

The Perfect Introduction to Wellington City, Discover Wellington’s rolling Hills, rugged Scenic Bays and iconic architectural Landmarks on this 3.5 hours guided tour.

Spend your morning exploring the city highlights that New Zealand’s capital city and home to Parliament has to offer on this city sightseeing tour of our nations capital. Wellington is nestled between a magnificent harbour and surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of forest-clad hills.

The city prides itself on its cultural and artistic facilities and events – Te Papa Tongarewa, the National Museum of New Zealand and nearby Wellington City Art Gallery, as well as numerous private galleries and a cutting-edge film industry, the base of Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson and of the famous Weta Workshop in Miramar. Wellington is also the birthplace of one of New Zealand’s most famous writers, Katherine Mansfield.

The city shoreline features a mix of contemporary and historical architecture has been opened up to restaurants, galleries and apartments. Joggers, cyclists and pedestrians throng the waterfront. Stunning views of the city can be enjoyed from Mt Victoria. Wellington is nestled around a sparkling bustling harbour with residential housing extending up the sides of green valley hills. Voted the most liveable city in the world in 2017 and 2018, you will not be disappointed with your tour of our lovely city.

This tour will delight you with breath-taking scenic views and photo opportunities, along with the fun of experiencing first-hand some of our favourite tourist attractions. You will be picked up from your cruise ship berthed in Wellington and we will continue downtown past Te Papa and the QT hotel, seeing St Gerard’s church and monastery before we drive up to the top of Mount Victoria to see spectacular views of Wellington’s city and harbour. Have your cameras ready!

We now drive to Lyall Bay beach, pass Wellington airport and see some of the rugged coast line. On a clear day you may see some spectacular views of the South Island. We pass Barrett’s Reef, where on 10 April 1968 the roll on/roll off ferry Wahine hit the reef and capsized near Seatoun (just a short distance from the shoreline) during a hurricane resulting in 52 lives being lost.

It is time to drive to the Wellington sign on our way to Weta Studios on the Miramar Peninsula for your Lord of the Rings experience with a short visit to Weta Cave where you will have a chance to purchase Lord of the Rings memorabilia (for any Tolkein fans) and more photo opportunities. Continuing around the coastline, passing popular Oriental Bay before we venture through the different parts of the inner city ending up at the bottom of the iconic Wellington cable car (which first carried passengers in 1902).

After you have travelled to the top in the cable car and visited the quaint museum at that end, you will have more breath-taking panoramic views of the harbour and city. Then we drive pass the lovely Botanic Gardens and drive through the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, before seeing Parliament Buildings and its grounds and finally drive past Premier House (Prime Minister’s residence) and a number of early settler homes and shops in Tinakori Rd.

Return to cruise ship or drop off within the city centre and spend some more time to explore on your own.

Highlights

Downtown entertainment area of Wellington
Mt Victoria
Rugged Coastline
Weta Cave
Ride on the Wellington Cable Car
Botanic Gardens
Lady Norwood Rose Gardens
Parliament Grounds
Premier House

Port pickup & drop off – Your pick-up will be 45 minutes after the ship has docked (even if your ship has been delayed or arrives early) with 8.45am being the earliest pick-up time.

Meeting instructions will be sent upon booking.

Experience the best of Wellington with our guided tour!
Visiting Wellington? Let us show you around! Our local guides will take you to some of the most beautiful and historic spots in the city.

➜ Wellington is nestled around a sparkling bustling harbour with residential housing extending up the sides of green valley hills. Voted the most liveable city in the world in 2017 and 2018, you will not be disappointed with your tour of our lovely city.

➜ This tour will delight you with breath-taking scenic views and photo opportunities, along with the fun of experiencing first-hand some of our favourite tourist attractions. You will be picked up from your meeting point and we will continue downtown past Te Papa and the QT hotel, seeing St Gerard’s church and monastery before we drive up to the top of Mount Victoria to see spectacular views of Wellington’s city and harbour. Have your cameras ready!

➜ We now drive to Lyall Bay beach, pass Wellington airport and see some of the rugged coast line. On a clear day you may see some spectacular views of the South Island. We pass Barrett’s Reef, where on 10 April 1968 the roll on/roll off ferry Wahine hit the reef and capsized near Seatoun (just a short distance from the shoreline) during a hurricane resulting in 52 lives being lost.

➜ It is time to drive to the Wellington sign on our way to Weta Studios on the Miramar Peninsula for your Lord of the Rings experience with a short visit to Weta Cave where you will have a chance to purchase Lord of the Rings memorabilia (for any Tolkein fans) and more photo opportunities. Continuing around the coastline, passing popular Oriental Bay before we venture through the different parts of the inner city ending up at the bottom of the iconic Wellington cable car (which first carried passengers in 1902).

➜ After you have travelled to the top in the cable car and visited the quaint museum at that end, you will have more breath-taking panoramic views of the harbour and city. Then we drive pass the lovely Botanic Gardens and drive through the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, before seeing Parliament Buildings and its grounds and finally Old St Paul’s Cathedral – one of the world’s best examples of Gothic Revival architecture. An entry fee donation applies if you would like to visit inside.

➜ You are then dropped off wherever you wish within the city centre to take with you lasting fond memories of your visit to Wellington.

More info

✅ Downtown entertainment area of Wellington
✅ Mt Victoria
✅ Rugged Coastline
✅ Weta Cave
✅ Cable Car
✅ Botanic Gardens
✅ Lady Norwood Rose Gardens
✅ Parliament Grounds
✅ Old St Paul’s (Donation entry fee applies)