Great Family Activities In Wellington New Zealand

Located on the south-west tip of New Zealand’s North Island, Wellington is often referred to as the coolest little capital in the world. This city is great for families to visit as it is home to many places where children can play, learn and be entertained without older family members getting bored.

1. Travel back in time on a cable car ride

Museum, Train Station

The Wellington Cable Car, a funicular railway in Wellington, New Zealand

Wellington’s bright shiny red cable car opened in 1902 and is the country’s only funicular railway still running today. Buy tickets at the station in Lambton Quay and get transported to the past by grabbing a seat on one of the old-fashioned wooden benches. Wellington’s red cable car climbs 120m (394ft) through a tunnel of changing colourful lights to a viewing deck overlooking the capital from the suburb of Kelburn. Visit the Cable Car Museum opposite the lookout to learn more about the history and engineering of the cable car that has transported people from the harbour to the hills for more than 100 years.

2. Discover the night skies at Space Place

Museum

Only a short walk from the cable car is Space Place at Carter Observatory, home to Wellington’s planetarium and museum for astronomy. Discover the science, history and mythology of New Zealand’s night skies through watching one of several informative short films or walking through the multimedia exhibition at the full-dome planetarium. Space Place is situated at Wellington’s Botanic Garden and is open during the day from Tuesday to Sunday as well as on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights (weather permitting) for those who want to stargaze.

3. Get close to wildlife at Zealandia

Zoo

New Zealand North island Wellington Zealandia (formerly known as the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary) tucked in the hills is a

Hop on a free shuttle from the cable car lookout point to Zealandia, Wellington’s popular native wildlife eco-sanctuary. The 225ha (556 acre) sanctuary is home to a range of engendered birds and reptiles living safely in this predator-free reserve. The tuatara lizard and tui bird are some of the species that can be seen on a day tour. For those who want to see the elusive kiwi bird, the best chance is on a night tour. The sanctuary is situated in the Wellington suburb of Karori and is open every day from 9am to 5pm except for Christmas Day. Spaces are limited for day tours which run from 10am to 2pm and night tours which depart at dusk.

5. Picnic lunch and play at the beach at Oriental Bay

Natural Feature

Visit Oriental Bay, one of Wellington’s most beautiful beaches and the perfect spot for some fresh air and a picnic. Take a breather on the beach and look out onto the bay as ships come in and out of the busy harbour while children can play on swings and slides close by. The best spot for a picnic with nearby playground equipment is the Freyberg Beach playground or Waitangi Park, both located along the Oriental Bay parade.

6. Experience movie-making magic at Weta Cave

Shop

Join a tour of the Weta Cave workshop to learn about how props, costumes and creatures were made for The Lord of the Rings(2001), The Hobbit (2012) and Avatar (2009) films. Weta Workshop is situated at the Weta Cave store in Miramar and should be booked online in advance.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.