Top Wellington Outdoor Activities

Zealandia is the world’s first fully fenced urban eco-sanctuary and home to some of New Zealand’s most extraordinary wildlife. This 2-hour guided walking tour will introduce you to native birds such as kakariki, tui, and bellbirds; rare species like takahē; and unique reptiles including green gecko and tuatara. Entrance fees are included.

Gain entry to Zealandia at night and take a guided tour of Zealandia: The Exhibition, which showcases New Zealand’s natural history. Interact with a life-size model moa and Haast’s eagle — both extinct — and learn about the country’s conservation efforts to preserve other native species. Located just minutes from central Wellington, Zealandia includes a night tour of Sanctuary Valley, a fenced eco-sanctuary and safe haven for endemic animal and bird species such as the nocturnal little spotted kiwi.

Combine award-winning wine and gorgeous scenery on a full-day tour from Wellington to Martinborough that also explores Hutt Valley, the Rimutaka Ranges, the Wairarapa coast, and Lake Onoke. You'll visit Martinborough wineries for cellar tours and tastings, pause for lunch in a vineyard restaurant, then eat dinner at the edge of Lake Onoke after a short shoreline hike. This Martinborough wine tour includes meals and a wine tasting, and it's limited to 11 people to ensure personalized service.

Sip your way around Martinborough — a once sleepy colonial town that’s now a prominent wine village at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail — on this private day trip from Wellington. Following hotel or port pickup and a scenic drive through the Wairarapa, you’ll visit three of Martinborough’s renowned wineries. Enjoy a guided wine tasting at each and a lunch platter with wine at Poppies Martinborough. Then, choose to continue hopping around Martinborough’s wineries or travel to nearby Greytown, whose pretty streets are thronged with cafes and antique stores.

Challenge yourself to take on a series of airborne challenges at the Adrenalin Forest Obstacle Course in Wellington. Then jump, balance, swing, and soar through a ropes course that will take you up to 101 feet (31 meters) above the ground. Work through a series of levels at your own pace, with three hours to conquer as much of the multi-tiered adventure course as you can.

Whether it’s your first time in Wellington or you just want to see as much as possible during your time in port, this half-day sightseeing tour offers a great introduction to the city and a diverse range of sights. Visit the iconic Weta Cave and the historic Old St. Paul’s Cathedral, ride the Wellington cable car to the top of the city, and enjoy panoramic views from the top of Mount Victoria.

Book a shared arrival transfer from Wellington Airport to your hotel doorstep, and enjoy a stress-free start to your trip. It’s a simple, cost-effective option that takes all the hassle out of arranging transportation after you land. Transport is by climate-controlled shuttle.

View the must-see attractions of Wellington on a 2.5-hour shore excursion. During your sightseeing tour of New Zealand’s capital, observe architectural landmarks such as the New Zealand Parliament Buildings and Beehive, and visit Old St Paul’s Cathedral. Soak up picturesque views of the city and harbor from a lookout pt on Mt Victoria, and have the option to take a ride on the Wellington Cable Car. Round-trip port transport by coach is included.

Combine a tour of Wellington and the Lord of the Rings locations during this half-day excursion from Wellington port. Follow your guide, a LOTR specialist, to locations including the Weta Workshop, the LOTR filming and post-production facilities, and Mt. Victoria. Entrance fees and round-trip transportation from Wellington port provided. This small-group tour, limited to 15 people or fewer, ensures an intimate experience.

Enjoy a hassle-free end to your time in Wellington with this shared departure transfer to Wellington Airport. You will be picked up from your accommodation doorstep and transferred by comfortable shuttle to the airport. It’s a budget-friendly alternative to the pricey private taxi rides.

Wellington, long-celebrated for its bohemian liberal arts and cafe culture, is fast-becoming renowned as New Zealand’s capitol of craft beer. Visit four Wellington and Hutt Valley breweries, tasting a range of tasty local beers at each establishment on this small group day tour designed for lovers of ales, stouts, lagers and everything hoppy in-between.

An hour or so north of Wellington, Martinborough is fast making a name for itself as one of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading wine regions. Each weekend, Wellingtonians make the trek over the Remutakas to escape to this European-style wine village. This small group tour is a convenient way to visit Martinborough. There’s no need to stress about driving on country backroads, and no need to plan the day’s itinerary - leaving you to focus on the wine and the iconic scenery.

Just off the Kapiti Coast is Kapiti Island, a bird and nature sanctuary free of predators and pests. This overnight experience offers the one-of-a-kind opportunity to stay overnight on the otherwise uninhabited island. Try one of the island’s many walking tracks and spot native birds in the canopy. Later, enjoy a chef-prepared meal in your luxury accommodation and then head out with your guide to look for New Zealand’s endangered, nocturnal national icon - the kiwi.

Make easy work of Wellington’s hills and devise your own itinerary on this self-guided electric bike tour. Opt for a 1 or 2-day bike rental and zip between sights like the Weta Workshop, Te Papa Museum, or Zealandia Sanctuary; glide along the Wellington Waterfront; or escape the city to cycle the Rimutaka Rail Trail or take in the views from Mt Victoria.

The hills around Wellington offer a spectacular backdrop for a cycling tour, but you don’t need to worry about biking uphill. This 4-hour electric bike tour takes all the effort out of cycling, so you can concentrate on admiring the sights and enjoying the views.

When you ship docks in Wellington, explore New Zealand's vibrant capital city while getting fresh air and exercise on an electric bike tour. Ride along the Wellington Waterfront and Miramar Peninsula, pedaling past beaches, urban landmarks, and residential neighborhoods with a guide and small group. Stop often to snap photos, and use the bike’s battery power to easily scale Mt. Maupuia for stellar views over the city and coast.

Gather your friends and family for this 90-minute indoor activity. During this challenging game, everyone will have to work together to complete the mission, which involves the ancient temple of a long-lost civilization. You and your team have been recruited as special agents to investigate the ruins and stop the Death Gods before they destroy the world.

Every member of your group can enjoy cycling around Wellington with e-bike rental that makes it quick and easy to get around. You’ll be provided with a quality e-bike, instructions, a helmet, a lock, and a cycle map of the city. Follow the map’s recommendations or create your own itinerary as this is a self-guided tour. Cycle with ease along the waterfront or up to some of Wellington’s hilly neighborhoods.

Tick off the top attractions of the Windy City on this private full-day tour of Wellington. Experience the myriad delights of New Zealand’s capital as you take in the views from Mt Victoria, spot seals at Red Rocks, then go behind-the-scenes with a 45-minute tour of the Weta Cave, where the special effects for Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were created. After a scrumptious lunch at the Chocolate Fish Café (included), ride the cable car over Wellington and visit landmarks like the Botanical Gardens, the Parliament Buildings and the Beehive.

The whole Wellington region is known for its mountain biking, but visitors often stick to the shorter central city trails to avoid hiring a car. On this tour, enjoy a longer ride through bird-filled native forest, over bridges and through rail tunnels. Equipment, transport and food are taken care of - all you need to is to be ready and dressed at your accommodation.

Gather a group of friends and prepare for two hours of exciting, challenging fun in Wellington. This private immersive activity focuses around the old mystery of the lost city of Atlantis. Via puzzles and riddles, gadgets and technology, and good old-fashioned teamwork, your aim is to solve the mystery and escape before time runs out.

Experience the wildlife of New Zealand in the early evening with a guided 2,5-hour tour of Zealandia, a wildlife sanctuary located on the outskirts of Wellington. This after-hours tour takes place during the most active period for many resident animals, when they transition from daytime to nighttime activity. You may observe birds returning to their nests, hear nocturnal birds waking up, and learn how the sanctuary restores native habitat.

Get out of Wellington city for the day and enjoy the rural atmosphere of Martinborough and the South Wairarapa wine country on this full-day wineries tour. Over the day you’ll visit four wineries and enjoy tastings at each, plus a delicious lunch at one. The tour is private and customizable so you can request in advance any specific wineries you may want to visit.

Explore the outskirts of Wellington and the landscape beyond on this helicopter flight tour. While listening to commentary from your pilot/guide, fly over the rugged shores and seal colonies of the South Coast, the Cook Strait, the Karori Rock Lighthouse, and the Makara Wind Farm.