Wellington Cruise Port: 10 Must-Dos for Amazing DIY or Tours

Sailing into the Wellington cruise port greets visitors with vibrant charm. The city is nestled between rolling hills and a stunning harbour offering a unique blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication.

From the moment we set foot in the city, we knew we were in for an unforgettable adventure. Wellington offers a rich array of activities, whether you’re keen on DIY (self-guided explorations) or prefer the ease of shore excursions.

Below we share our top 10 favourite things to do with only one day in Wellington.

Map of Wellington cruise port highlights including the Dock location

Most cruise ships sailing into Wellington berth at Aotea Quay, which is about 1.5 km (just less than a mile) north of the city centre. Some smaller ships dock at Queen’s Wharf, which is even more centrally located.

Tour or DIY: What is the best way to Enjoy Wellington cruise port?

The answer to this depends on what you want to see, and whether or not you think a guide is worth the cost. We go into more detail on the advantages and disadvantages of shore options here.

That aside, the main Wellington cruise port terminal is relatively centrally located, and the small ship alternative is even better. It’s an easy city to walk, and so much is free to enter. We included our favourite self-guided walking loop below.

However, you will see more with a guide that has a driver, or on one of the many Wellington tours. When we cruise, we like to make the most of our one day in Wellington.

Read next: how we choose the best way to see a cruise port.

What to do in one day in Wellington

We detailed 37 of our favourite things to do in New Zealand’s capital city here, but with only one day in Wellington, these are what we consider the highlights. Unlike many New Zealand cities, many of the best things to do in the capital are free.

1. Visit Te Papa Tongarewa (National Museum of New Zealand)

• What to do: The national museum is loaded with innovative, interactive, and engaging exhibits. I stop in every time I visit Wellington. It features diverse collections showcasing Maori and Pacific cultures, natural history, and New Zealand’s social, political, and cultural history.
• Why it’s great: It’s free, located along the Waterfront, and offers a comprehensive overview of the country’s heritage, plus cool things like the larger-than-life Gallipoli exhibit, the colossal squid (the only one on display worldwide), and the interactive areas for kids.

2. historic cable car

• What to do: Ride the historic cable car to the top stop at Kelburn Hill. Here you can’t help but enjoy the stunning views over the city and harbour.
• Why it’s great: Low price, stunning views, and it’s just fun.
• Pro tip: You can purchase a ticket at the Lambton Quay entrance, which is located down the end of a laneway right next to Countdown (grocery store).

3. Wellington Botanic Garden

• What to do: I love strolling through the beautiful 26-hectare Wellington Botanic Garden, enjoying native bush, exotic forests, and colourful flowers. There are also a variety of specialty gardens like the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and Begonia House.
• Why it’s great: It’s a serene escape from the city, with lovely walking trails and a gorgeous view of the city at the cable car entrance.

4. Parliament Buildings

• What to do: Take a guided tour of the Beehive and other parliamentary buildings. Note that Parliament tours require booking at least 24 hours in advance. There is a dress code, and adults are not allowed to wear short pants to Parliament. No photos are allowed during the tour, and your camera will be securely stored during the tour. Check their official website for tour options and booking details.
• Why it’s great: Learn about New Zealand’s political history and see the unique architecture of these iconic buildings.
• Pro tip: Even if you don’t take a tour, pass by if you can to check out the unusual architecture and understand why it is nicknamed the Beehive.

5. Weta Workshop

• What to do: Take a guided tour of the Weta Workshop, the five-time Oscar-winning special effects and props company known worldwide. Having worked on over 170 productions, they are most famous for movies like “The Lord of the Rings” and “Avatar.” Unfortunately, no photos are allowed on the tour.
• Why it’s great: More than just the impressive sets, costumes, armour and creatures that they have created, we got an insight into the creative process. This tour far exceeded my expectations.
• Pro-tip: While there is public bus access, with limited time from a cruise, we recommend either reserving a shore excursion that includes Weta Workshop or booking a Weta Workshop tour with pick-up from the city.

6. Mount Victoria Lookout

• What to do: The lookout at the summit of Mount Victoria offers impressive panoramic views of Wellington and its surroundings. If you walk up, you will pass the LOTR film location, but it’s not labelled, so without a guide, you will walk right by.
• Why it’s great: It’s one of the best vantage points in the city, perfect for photography and taking in the scenery.
• Pro tip: If you explore the city on your own, the number 20 bus will take you up to the top. However, with limited time, I would choose the cable car to Kelburn for my city view.

7. Cuba Street

• What to do: Wander down this lively street known for its bohemian vibe, quirky shops, street performers, and diverse eateries.
• Why it’s great: It’s the heart of Wellington’s creative culture and a great place to soak up the local atmosphere.

8. Take A Lord of the Rings tour

• What to do: If you have seen the films, you already know New Zealand has amazing scenery. The Wellington area has several LOTR film locations and is home to Weta Workshop.
• Why it’s great: Fans know the answer to this.
• Pro-tip: Note that New Zealand required the landscape of filming locations to return to their natural condition. However, a good guide can easily paint the image of the scene and fire up your imagination. The exception is the Hobbiton movie set (accessed from the Tauranga cruise port).
• Check out these two options: Depending on what you want to see in Wellington and how much time you have in port, if you’re are a LOTR fan who came to New Zealand to see Middle earth, we recommend either this full-day tour, or this half-day tour. Both enjoy the Weta workshop tour and the LOTR sights on Mt. Victoria, but the full-day tour adds several additional stops.

9. Zealandia Ecosanctuary

• What to do: A nature lover’s paradise, Zealandia is an unspoiled urban eco-sanctuary that is only 10 minutes from central Wellington. Teeming with birdlife, it always feels to me like we are completely rural.
• Why it’s great: It’s a unique opportunity to see rare and endangered species in their natural habitat.
• Pro tip: A free shuttle from either downtown or the top of the cable car line makes Zealandia easily accessible for daytime visits, but watch your return timing carefully.

10. Wine tasting and wild coast tour

• What to do: Martinborough, one of New Zealand’s and the Southern Hemisphere’s popular wine-growing regions, is a bit over an hour away from the Wellington cruise port via car. Located in the beautiful Wairarapa region, our recommended tour visits 3 wineries and takes 5.5 hours starting at 10 a.m.
• Why it’s great: Amazing scenery, wine.
• How to book: If this is the tour for you, be sure to read the port pick-up instructions. Reserve your Half Day Martinborough Winery Tour from Wellington here.

Our favourite one day in Wellington itinerary for DIY cruisers

I tend to do the same thing every time I bring someone new to Wellington. Here is my basic day, rewritten to start at either Wellington cruise port. In total, it includes about 6km of street walking, one uphill cable car, plus walking in each venue. It hits many of the highlights and costs only the price of a one-way cable car ticket, which was only $6 the last time we did it.

Note that Lord of the Rings (LOTR) fans may want to include a transportation-included tour of Weta Workshop, and leave something out.

• From the port, walk along the beautiful waterfront to Te Papa. The 2km walk there takes us about 25 minutes. Spend an hour at the museum.
• Next, walk along Cable Street to Lampton Quay and follow it to the cable car entrance. Enjoy the architecture, street art and sculpture, and shopping along the way. The 1km walk takes us less than 15 minutes.
• Ride the historic cable car to the last stop and enjoy the view from the top.
• If you have time, take a quick walk through the Cable Car Museum (free to enter) before strolling through the Wellington Botanic Garden. Follow the mosaic flower-marked path downhill to the Rose Garden, pass through the Bolton Street Cemetery, cross the overpass and then out of the gardens on Bowen Street.
• Next, follow Bowen Street for another two blocks to the Parliament buildings. The 2km downhill walk from the entrance to the gardens to Parliament will take about 30 minutes.
• Finally, walk the 1.2km back to the port. It should take about 17 minutes.

Take a Wellington tour: Shore excursions from the Wellington cruise port

While there are plenty of Wellington tours to pick from, these are the three that caught our eye, had great reviews, and hit what we feel are the best options if you only have one day in the capital.

Wellington Scenic Full-Day Tour

If you want a city tour that includes the Weta Workshop tour, this one is for you. This highly rated seven-hour tour includes spectacular views from the summit of Mt Victoria and a few other spots among its 12 stops.

Other highlights include parliament, the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, a ride on the cable car, and a visit to Old St Paul’s cathedral. Reserve your full-day tour here.

Half-Day Tour of Wellington

This small-group tour picks up at the dock and includes passing by key sights and stopping at a few. It crams a lot into 3 hours and 20 minutes, including visiting Weta Cave (not a tour)and the historic Old St. Paul’s Cathedral.

You will also enjoy two stunning views, the first after a ride on the Wellington cable car to the top of the city, then panoramic views from the top of Mount Victoria. Reserve your half-day tour here.

Wellington Electric Bike Tour

Although electric, there is plenty of pedalling, making this an energetic five-hour tour of the capital city. From the starting point on Queens Wharf, the tour will ride along the waterfront, passing some key sights, including Te Papa. Then, with a power boost, it will head up Mt Victoria for spectacular views.

Note that you must be able to ride a bike on the street and a moderate fitness level is recommended. Reserve your electric bike tour here.

Where to next: What to do at each of the New Zealand cruise ports

If you haven’t read it yet, don’t miss our general tips for first-time visitors to New Zealand or our overview of cruising in New Zealand. We have written more on each cruise port here:

• Bay of Island Cruise Port

• Auckland Cruise Port

• Tauranga Cruise Port (Rotorua, Hobbiton, Mt Maunganui)

• Napier Cruise Port

• Wellington Cruise Port

• Picton Cruise Port

• Christchurch Cruise Port (Lyttleton or Akaroa)

• Dunedin Cruise Port

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What to bring when cruising in New Zealand

Good news. We offer several free packing lists, including one for cruise travel. If you are like us and like to have everything you need, but not tons of extra stuff, check out these tips for packing light while cruising.

Don’t miss our best cruise tips

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LOTR or something else, what will you do at the Wellington cruise port?

Read more on the region . . .