44 Best Sights in Wellington and the Wairarapa, New Zealand

In the hills overlooking downtown is a concentration of splendidly varied terrain and forest. Native woodlands fill the garden's valleys, water-loving plants line its mountain streams, and the lawns brightly flourish with seasonal and annual blooms. At night, the gardens come alive with artistic light installations and glowworm tours. The lovely Lady Norwood Rose Garden, the most popular area, is in the northeast part of the garden. On a fine summer day, you couldn't find a better place to enjoy the fragrance of magnificent flowers. Situated on a plateau, the formal circular layout consists of 110 rose beds, each planted with a single variety of modern and traditional shrubs. Climbing roses cover a brick-and-timber colonnade on the perimeter. Adjacent to the rose beds, the Begonia House conservatory is filled with delicate plants. If you don't want to walk up the hill, the Kelburn Cable Car can take you. Or catch the No. 2 bus (direction: Karori) from Lambton Quay to the main (Glenmore Street) entrance. The parking lot is on Tinakori Road.

This sprawling tipple-town and entertainment center is an embodiment of a sunny summer's afternoon feeling, all conveniently within walking distance of Upper Hutt train station. Four award-winning breweries and a whisky distillery are spread around a large green of picnic tables, the perfect place to sip and enjoy the vast menus of elevated bar food. Guided tours are a great way to get a behind-the-scenes look and taste of the best in town. All five senses, not just taste, are stimulated at Brewtown: it has a go-kart raceway, axe-throwing, knife-making classes, an ice-skating rink, a ten-pin bowling alley, a large trampoline park, an indoor paintball field, and a multiplayer VR gaming station. Essentially a massive playground, Brewtown is incredibly family-friendly, so everyone can join the fun.

Te Papa Tongarewa (the Māori translation is "container of treasures") provides an essential introduction to the country's people, cultures, landforms, flora, and fauna. Bringing together the latest technology, interactive exhibits, and storytelling, it shares New Zealand's past and present. Whether you want to enter a carved marae (Māori meetinghouse), walk through living native bush, be shaken in the Earthquake House, or see a colossal squid, there's inspiration for everyone.  Don't miss the Toi Art gallery; spanning two floors, it features New Zealand, Pacific, and international works.

Opposite the Parliament Buildings is the country's national library, including the Alexander Turnbull Library, a "library within a library" that specializes in archival materials about New Zealand and the Pacific. Its books, manuscripts, photographs, newspapers, maps, and oral history tapes are available for research. One special highlight, He Tohu, is an exhibition housing Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the Treaty of Waitangi. This controversial 1840 agreement between the British crown and more than 500 Māori chiefs is considered the founding document of modern New Zealand. The oldest document on display is the Declaration of Independence of the Northern Chiefs, signed by more than 30 northern Māori chiefs on October 28, 1835, a confederation agreement that led up to the Waitangi treaty. Also on view is the 1893 Women's Suffrage Petition, which led to New Zealand becoming the world's first nation to grant women the vote.

Explore true backcountry New Zealand during this four-hour hike that starts with a typical Kiwi trail through native forest before descending to the river floor. Here you'll discover the chasm's cathedral-like limestone halls and waterfalls. Be advised that most of this unguided walk is in a river and can be steep or slippery. Pack a change of clothes and shoes for after the walk. Bookings are essential.

Head 30 km (19 miles) north of Masterton to Mount Bruce for a fine introduction to the country's wildlife at this preserve and captive breeding site. An easy trail through the bush (one hour, round-trip) takes you past aviaries containing rare, endangered, or vulnerable birds, including the takahē, a flightless species thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1948. The real highlight, though is the nocturnal habitat containing foraging kiwis, endearing little bundles of energy that are the national symbol. In addition to animal feedings and talks, Pūkaha offers tours and workshops that can be booked online.

Housing the southern hemisphere's largest private car collection, this museum has more than 400 automobiles and 140 motorcycles, plus aircraft, vintage tools, and an old fire engine. Among the most popular are Marlene Dietrich's 1934 Cadillac Town Cabriolet, a 1915 Stutz Indianapolis race car, a gull-winged Mercedes-Benz, a 1950 Cadillac "Gangster Special" that had belonged to gangster Mickey Cohen, and an 1895 Benz Velo.

Staglands offers visitors the opportunity to feed and freely interact with animals in a beautiful natural environment. As you wander around its 25 peaceful acres, you'll follow its weaving trails around rivers, forests, and paddocks. Take a tip-toe through the aviaries, and you'll be rewarded with famously funny encounters with the native kea and kaka parrots. At the stables, you'll meet goats, highland cows, and native kunekune pigs, who are always happy to exchange more petting for feed. If you want the complete cozy homestead experience, you can take a tractor-trailer ride or roast marshmallows on the outdoor fire pit. Be sure to also explore the nooks of the re-created Old Bush Settlement. Here, you may just stumble upon the whimsical wonderland of the secret garden. Take a climb to the Deer Park lookout and finish your visit with stunning views.

The innovative designers and effects wizards at Wētā have brought many high-profile movies to life. At Wētā Cave, you get a fascinating "behind the scenes look" detailing the characters and equipment used in special effects for the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit series, Avatar, King Kong, and many other award-winning films. Memorabilia (think models, limited-edition sculptures, books, posters, and T-shirts) is sold at the on-site shop. The workshop tour showcases original props, costumes, and the artists at work. You can also pre-book special interactive workshops to try your hand at sculpting, leatherworking, special effects make-up, and even making chain mail.

Just minutes from downtown Wellington, more than 500 acres of forest have been transformed into a safe haven for New Zealand's most endangered native species. A specially designed fence creates a cage-free eco-sanctuary for species that had disappeared from the mainland. Tuatara (a reptile), New Zealand's unique "living fossil," are breeding, as are takahē and saddleback (birds), which have both been brought back from the brink of extinction. Pick up a map and explore at your leisure, or join a two-hour guided tour. The flashlight-led nighttime tour is very popular; departing about 30 minutes before sunset, it provides a glimpse into the nocturnal world—you might even spy a little spotted kiwi or the legendary ruru owl.

This family-owned and -managed winery makes exceptional chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, and Célèbre. For her hard work on the vines, Helen Masters won the 2019 title of New Zealand Winemaker of the Year. Tastings at the cellar door must be booked in advance through the website.

This property produces delicious blueberries and is home to several emus, a large flightless bird. You can enter to visit the emus for free; you pay for the blueberries you pick (at a great rate).

Known for its eco-ethical philosophy, this winery produces high-quality wines using organic and biodynamic techniques. Try these natural and delicious wines for yourself on the winery's sun-soaked porch alongside the well-paired platters. Tastings can be booked for any day of the week, or you can just walk in on the weekends.

Named by Captain James Cook, Cape Palliser marks the eastern end of Palliser Bay. You cannot miss its classic candy-stripe lighthouse, erected in 1897. Climb the 250 (the sign says 258) wooden steps for terrific views up and down the wild coastline. Below the lighthouse, splashing in the surf are members of the North Island's only fur seal colony. Don't get too close for photos, though; these animals are fiercely protective of their young. Department of Conservation rules require you to keep 20 meters (22 yards) from seals, so don't get between seals and pups, or seals and the ocean. To reach it from Martinborough, start at Memorial Square and turn left into Jellicoe Street, which becomes Lake Ferry Road. After 30 km (18½ miles), turn left at the Cape Palliser road sign; from here it is another 35 km (21½ miles) to the cape itself. You will pass the Putangirua Pinnacles on your left; after this, the road deteriorates and is unpaved in places. This is a stark and dramatic drive, though not particularly hard if you take care. The travel time from Martinborough is approximately 80 minutes one-way.

An hour's drive east of Masterton along Te Ore-ore Road (which turns into the Masterton–Castlepoint Road), Castlepoint is perhaps the most spectacular site on the entire Wairarapa coast. Castle Rock soars 500 feet out of the sea, where below, in Deliverance Cove, you'll sometimes see seals playing in the surf. The path to Castlepoint Lighthouse has excellent views. 

Near Petone, this museum stages a changing array of exhibitions—including ones focused on extraordinary jewelry, fashion, photography, and ceramics—that showcase the creativity of New Zealand's artisans.

From Petone, a winding road leads south about 10 km (6 miles) to the suburb of Eastbourne. Have an alfresco bite in its tiny shopping area before driving on to where the road eventually transforms into a 4-km (2½-mile) walking trail, following the coast to Pencarrow Head and its lighthouse, with views across the strait. There's a kiosk where you can rent a bike; for more adventure, Wildfinder in Days Bay has kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and bikes for rent.

The tiny town of Featherston is worth a stop for this museum, which contains the last remaining Fell locomotive in the world, along with photos, models, and memorabilia. Built in 1875 and expertly restored, the engine is one of only six that clawed their way up the notorious Remutaka Incline. The museum is open to the public on weekends, but tours can be booked for any day of the week. Call ahead; at the time of this writing, it was temporarily closed due to work on the building. 

From Upper Hutt, continuing north on State Highway 2 takes you to the Wairarapa region, but if you have time to spare, stop into Kaitoke Regional Park, just beyond Upper Hutt. It's a great camping and picnic spot with pleasant walks by the river. Lord of the Rings lovers can check out the corner of the forest that stood in for Rivendell, the great homeland of the elves. Trails, varying from 15-minute ambling loops to 3-hour hiking routes, all follow sections of the crystal-clear river, flanked by towering trees and native birdsong.

The modernist writer, born in 1888, lived the first five years of her life here, and the house has been restored as a typical Victorian family home, with furnishings, photographs, and videos that elucidate Mansfield's life and times. Katherine Mansfield (née Kathleen Beauchamp) left to pursue her career in Europe when she was only 20, but many of her short stories take place in Wellington. A year before her death in 1923, she wrote, "New Zealand is in my very bones. What wouldn't I give to have a look at it!" 

The tiny settlement of Lake Ferry sits beside Palliser Bay, 40 km (25 miles) northwest of Cape Palliser. The lake in question, called Onoke, is actually a salt lagoon formed by the long sandbank here. Vacation homes, fishing spots, and remarkable sunsets bring in the weekend Wellingtonian crowd. If you’re coming from Martinborough, expect a 25-km (16-mile) drive through rolling sheep country. Stop by The Land Girl Pirinoa Coffee House on Lake Ferry Road for a cozy coffee and cake.

The town's signature event, held in the Square on the first Saturday of February and March, draws thousands of people and packs the place with crafts stalls.

For an overview of area wines, take an oenophile's shortcut and hit Martinborough Wine Merchants. The shop stocks a thorough selection of local vintages and wine accessories. Arrangements can be made to have your purchases shipped home.

Placed atop a historic and trendy suburb is a stunning vantage point to watch the city both day and night. You can take a short, but careful, drive up to the lookouts and enjoy the vistas that sweep across the whole region. Alternatively, take a leisurely uphill stroll through the pine forest of the town belt. These trails are sporadically dotted with outlooks, mountain biking tracks, and creatively crafted playgrounds. Fittingly, its tall twisted trees were the backdrop to a number of scenes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which are signposted.

Taking the art of winemaking back to its roots, Moy Hall focuses on conjuring the unique character of its vines through traditional vinification practices. Walk-in wine tastings are welcome. Lunch bookings are recommended.

Built in 1858 as a family home by immigrant carpenter William Wallis, this cottage is Wellington's oldest remaining building. With a steep shingled roof and matchboard ceilings, kauri wood paneling, and somber Victorian wallpapers, the house has been kept almost completely in its original state. The spinning wheel, smoke-blackened cooking pot, hand-pegged rugs, and oil lamps re-create the feeling of those pioneer days. Outside, a garden of flowers and herbs blooms in a riot of color during the summer.

The buildings that make up the Parliament complex include Parliament House with its Debating Chamber, a copy of the one in the British House of Commons right down to the Speakers Mace. Here legislation is presented, debated, and voted on. There is fine Māori artwork in the Māori Affairs Select Committee Room. The adjoining building is the Parliamentary Library. The neighboring Executive Wing is known for architectural reasons as The Beehive; it's where the prime minister and cabinet ministers of the elected government have their offices and hold cabinet meetings. Across the road at the corner of Whitmore Street and Lambton Quay, the Old Government Buildings, the largest wooden structure in New Zealand, is now home to Victoria University’s law faculty. Introductory tours start in The Beehive, and a guide explains the parliamentary process in detail. The website has information about booking a wide variety of tours. 

Consecrated in 1866 and built in a style dubbed Colonial Gothic, the church is a splendid example of the English Gothic Revival style executed entirely in native timbers. Even the trusses supporting the roof transcend their mundane function with splendid craftsmanship. Managed by Heritage New Zealand, Old St. Paul's no longer functions as a parish church, but it is a venue for weddings and other services. 

For a taste-bud-tickling exercise that doesn't involve grapes, head to Helen and John Meehan's olive grove, 3 km (2 miles) north of Martinborough. On a tour, you can visit the grove and its 5 acres of gardens to learn how oils are produced. Tastings (and sales) of their extra-virgin and infused olive oils are encouraged.

This 9-km (6-mile) cliffside trail has breathtaking views of the coast, and with its step-climbs and swing bridges, the track is a little different from your typical "long walks on the beach." Most walkers drive to the Pukerua Bay Train station and catch the northbound train to the next stop, Paekākāriki, to walk the trail from north to south.