There is plenty to see and do around Wellington. Wellington Convention Centre is convieniently located in the heart of civic square – surrounded by the City Gallery, Public Library, Capital Discovery Place (a children's science and technology museum) and a range of excellent cafés. Moving further afield there are a wide range of activities available... something for everyone! Below is our Top 10 Wellington activites list to get you started.

WellingtonNZ.com website – information about everything to see and do in Wellington

Wellington’s Top 10

1. Walk up Cuba Mall and have breakfast at one of Wellington’s best
   café/restaurants, Floriditas – 161 Cuba Street, ph (04) 381 2212 or Fidel’s – 234 Cuba Street, ph (04) 801 6868.
   Floriditas website
   
   
2. Look around Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand – 55 Cable Street, ph (04) 381 7000.
   Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand website
   
   
3. Take Wellington’s iconic Cable Car up to the Wellington Botanic
   Gardens.
   Cable Car website
   Wellington Botanic Gardens website
   
   
4. Catch a train to the Wairarapa and visit the picturesque Martinborough vineyards.
   
   
5. Walk down Wellington’s principle shopping area of Willis Street and Lambton Quay and make sure you visit the city’s oldest department store, Kirkcaldie & Stains. Also check out the Beehive, the home of New Zealand Government.
   Kirkcaldie & Stains website
   Beehive website
   
   
6. Walk around picturesque Oriental Bay then climb up to Mt Victoria and catch some of the best views of Wellington City and harbour.
   
   
7. Check out any of the numerous downtown bars including The Backbencher – 34 Molesworth Street, ph (04) 472 3065; Vivo Wine Bar – 19 Edward Street, ph (04) 384 6400; Macs Brewery Bar and Restaurant – 4 Taranaki Street, ph (04) 381 2282; and St John’s Bar – 5 Cable Street, ph (04) 801 8017.
   The Backbencher website
   Macs Brewery Bar and Restaurant website
   St John’s Bar website
   
   
8. Visit Wellington’s City Gallery – Civic Square, ph (04) 801 3021.
   City Gallery website
   
   
9. Treat yourself to a night out at one of Wellington’s theatres - Downstage, Circa Theatre, or St James Theatre.
   Downstage website
   Circa Theatre website
   St James Theatre website
   
   
10. Jump on a ferry and enjoy a weekend in Picton or the Marlborough Sounds.
    Cook Strait Ferries website

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Perfect for partners

There are plenty more activities on offer in and around Wellington. Here are some further suggestions of things to see and do.

Wild About Wellington Tours
Wild About Wellington Tours are designed for international guests to enjoy the best of Wellington sightseeing. Each tour has a theme, and guests can expect the following on any of the tours:
• Charm and fun delivered by vibrant tour hosts;
• Each host has a professional background in presenting along with a passion for their city;
• Unique sights and stories of Wellington in a small group setting;
• Great food and drinks; taste Wellington at the same time.
Wild About Wellington Tours website – information about tours and how to book

Matiu/Somes Island
Matiu/Somes Island is a scientific and historic reserve that is one of two prominent islands in Wellington’s harbour offering walking tracks and good views of the city. For more information about what can be seen and done at the island and about the East by West Ferry that can take you there.
Department of Conservation website – information about activities, places to stay, how to get there, etc.

Kirkcaldie & Stains
No walk down Lambton Quay, Wellington’s ‘Golden Shopping Mile’, is complete without a visit to Kirkcaldie & Stains. ‘Kirks’ is more than just a store. A visit to this 135 year-old department store, stocking exclusive designer brands, is a shopping experience.
Kirkcaldie & Stains website – information about the store, opening hours, etc.

Ruth Pretty Cooking School
Recognised for her range of cookbooks, her column in Wellington’s Dominion Post, and appearances on TV show Good Morning, Ruth Pretty runs catering company ‘Ruth Pretty Catering’. Ruth Pretty Cooking School shares recipes, cooking ideas and entertaining secrets for 32 participants amid the rural tranquillity of their home and business in Te Horo, 50 minutes drive from Wellington City.
Ruth Pretty Catering website – information and online bookings for the Cooking School

Wairarapa Gourmet Wine Escape
Enjoy wine tastings at four Martinborough wineries, a light lunch at one of the many cafe’s and finish the day with a visit to the Martinborough Wine Centre.
Tranzit NZ website – information about wine tasting in Martinborough

Sea Kayaking Wellington Harbour
Take a two hour guided sea kayak trip around the Wellington waterfront. All equipment supplied. Sea kayaking is weather dependant, but you might also like to try your hand at indoor rock climbing. Fergs Kayaks, Shed Six, Queens Wharf, Jervois Quay. Pre-booking is essential.
Ferg's Kayaks website – information about sea kayaking in Wellington

Entertainment in the Culture Capital
The month of November sees the start of the summer season, and summer in Wellington means events galore! If you plan to spend a few days in Wellington on either side of the conference you won’t have trouble finding something interesting to do. There are interesting events on in Wellington’s numerous theatres.
WellingtonNZ.com website – information about entertainment in Wellington

Shopping in the Capital
Downtown Wellington is the ideal shopping destination. It is compact (you can walk from one end to the other in 20 minutes) and has a variety of shops on offer – from worldwide chain stores to local boutiques. Discover the diverse wonders and delights of Wellington’s Cuba Street, one of Wellington’s oldest thoroughfares. With its retailers ranging from leading retailers through to its numerous cafes and bars, clothing, book and record shops draw people from all around the region for what only Wellington’s Cuba area can offer.
WellingtonNZ.com website – information about shopping in Wellington

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