Wellington Tours

Board the InterIslander ferry for a 3-hour cruise across Cook Strait, which links New Zealand’s capital city in the North Island to a charming enclave in the South Island. The Wellington-to-Picton ferry offers daily service one way, with jaw-dropping views along one of the world’s most scenic waterways.

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.

Journey out to Wellington’s south coast, looking out over the Cook Strait, and visit the region’s only fur seal colony. Journey out to Karori Rock’s ‘leaning lighthouse’ to meet this thriving community of once-endangered critters. Tea, coffee, and snacks are provided so you can relax and watch the seals in this isolated area that even many Wellingtonians don't know about.

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.

The deserted beaches and wildlife reserves of Kapiti Island lie off the southwest coast of New Zealand’s North Island. On this tour, set sail from Paraparaumu Beach, explore the island on a guided walk, and enjoy free time to stroll along the sandy beaches or take a swim. Along the way, look out for wildlife including whales, possums, and a number of rare birds including kaka and takahe.

Kapiti Island is one of New Zealand’s best-kept nature sanctuaries and a predator-free haven for native birds. On this day trip to the island, take a ferry from Paraparaumu Beach and spend your day walking the island, identifying kākā, kōkako, kererū and more with the help of your nature guide. Enjoy a chef-prepared lunch on the island before you head back to the mainland.

Spend the morning or afternoon visiting Middle-earth on this half-day 'The Lord of the Rings' tour from Wellington. A guide with insider knowledge entertains Frodo fans on a journey into the scenic New Zealand countryside. Get a behind-the-scenes look at LOTR movie production on a tour of Weta Studios and discover why director Peter Jackson selected this region to film the renowned trilogy along with ‘The Hobbit’ movies.

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.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at nine ‘The Lord of the Rings’ locations around Wellington and learn about the filming of movies based on the popular books. On a tour of the New Zealand countryside, see re-created scenes of Middle-earth including the Hutt Valley and the Greenbelt, take a forest walk through Tolkien’s Rivendell, and step into Weta Studios for a movie production tour of digital special effects. Your guide shares insider gossip on how the movies were made and takes you to a themed lunch.

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.

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.

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.

Venture to Middle-earth to see where ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy was filmed. On a half-day or full-day tour, an insider guide escorts you to movie locations in the Wellington area. Stop at landmarks that were featured as the Shire, River Anduin, Helm's Deep, Rivendell and more. Hear behind-the-scenes fun facts as you take in the gorgeous scenery of the North Island. Round-trip hotel transport and lunch (full-day option only) are included on this small-group tour, limited to only six passengers.

Get as close as safely possible to Wellington’s rugged seal colony on this small group tour of Wellington’s rocky, wild cost. Here the fur seals fish, play, and sunbathe. On a hot summer’s day, you might be tempted to do the same. This half-day tour offers a quick way to escape the stress and fast-pace of the central city.

Ride at your own pace by hiring an eBike on this half-day self-guided adventure of Wellington. From the centrally located Waterfront to the quiet bays and panoramic lookouts, you’ll be enthralled from start to finish. These quality electric bikes are easy to use and suitable for any level of fitness. If you can ride a bike, you can ride an eBike. You will be provided with riding instructions, a helmet, a lock and a cycle map of the city, including top picks of places to stop on your ride. You can ride the bays to take in the best view points or use your eBike as your transport between the Wellington must see attractions such as Weta Workshop, Zealandia Sanctuary, Te Papa Museum or the Wellington Cable Car located only 5-minutes away. Whether you're traveling solo, as a couple, or in a group, you'll love exploring Wellington on these top-quality electric bikes!

Leave the busy city behind and explore some of the countryside for which New Zealand’s North Island is famous on this 1-day Rimutaka cycle tour from Wellington. Choose the starting point to match your fitness level, then follow your guide along the gentle Rimutaka Rail Trail by bike. Spin across bridges over deep gorges and through tunnels beneath rolling hills. Head along cycle trails through dense forest, and soak up fine views over New Zealand’s rugged landscapes as your guide shares details on the region’s native flora and fauna.

New Zealand’s charming capital is known as a vibrant cultural hub with plenty of attractions to explore. This fully customizable, half-day tour lets visitors choose their own itinerary from a curated list of the city’s best sights. This tour is the perfect option for first-time travelers to Wellington, particularly those looking for experiences catered to their individual preferences.

Experience the highlights of The Remutaka Cycle Trail! Discover the Remutaka Incline's native bush and rail history, then explore the Wild Coast in all it's rugged beauty. 35km of moderate to challenging riding, across an all-inclusive 9-hour trip. Cycle through native, bird-filled forest, over bridges and through tunnels while enjoying views of the natural landscape and the old railway system. Reach Summit then embark on a fun descent to Cross Creek in the Wairarapa, before being shuttled through some of NZ's most scenic farmland to the coast for your afternoon ride around the coast to Orongorongo. We've seen orca, dolphins and seals in this area, and the landscapes are rugged but stunning. You will be provided with everything you will need for your adventure - transport to and from your accommodation, bikes / eBikes with trunk bags for your personal effects, and all food - so all you need to do is wear appropriate clothing and be ready to ride!

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.

Discover the wine village of Martinborough on a bike tour that visits three wineries and an olive orchard. Includes round-trip transportation from Wellington, a gourmet picnic lunch, and bike rental.

Wellington’s Weta Workshop is world-famous for its special effects work on movies like The Lord of the Rings, King Kong and Rise of the Planet of the Apes. This tour takes you behind the scenes and see where the magic happens. Go hands-on with the tools Weta artisans use to create creatures and sets and get close up with Weta’s miniatures stage. Get up close and personal with Wellywood's finest.

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.

See a side of Wellington that you won’t find on any typical sightseeing tour with this half-day trip around the region’s farms and rural outposts. Visit a local wind farm with turbines over 360 feet tall; make friends with plenty of sheep and cattle, and even some horses at the Ohariu Valley Equestrian Center; enjoy a charming afternoon tea in an isolated shepherd’s cabin with exceptional views of the Cook Strait and South Island. Get in touch with New Zealand’s agricultural roots on this totally unique tour.

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.