10 Historical & Heritage Tours in Wellington That You Shouldn't Miss

March 27, 2022 Tonie Szymanski

Wellington boasts a compact downtown area that’s easy to explore on foot and a wealth of architectural styles, from 19th-century wooden cottages to Art Deco masterpieces. Discover the city’s Maori roots at the Museum of Wellington City & Sea and the Museum of New Zealand. Sip coffee and people-watch in lively Courtney Place, or survey the city from scenic Mount Victoria. When the sun goes down on Windy Wellington, take a nocturnal tour of Karori Wildlife Sanctuary to meet some colorful inhabitants.
Restaurants in Wellington

1. A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day)

5 Courtenay Place, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand 1953
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Discover the diverse flavors of New Zealand on this 5-hour small-group Wellington food tour. Spin through New Zealand’s capital by air-conditioned minivan with a guide, and visit some of the butchers’ shops, coffee-roasters, cheese-makers, and ice-cream parlors the locals love. Sample some of the diverse produce on offer. This 5-hour food-lover’s tour includes round-trip travel from central Wellington. Enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 8 people.

Inclusions: Guide, Bottled water

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Reviewed By janemN4165RB

Highly recommend this tour. Jon Salter was an excellent guide he was so knowledgeable about the food industry in Wellington. He took us to places that you would NEVER find on your own. A great morning spent exploring different food outlets in Wellington.

2. Wellington Full Day Tour

Wellington, Wellington, Greater Wellington, North Island Xplor Tours
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5.0 based on 10 reviews

Wellington Full Day Tour A fully escorted tour showcasing all of the best highlights of Wellington city and some of its outer suburbs.  Among visiting iconic landmarks, the tour will also include a cafe lunch beside the sea, and the choice of taking either a guided tour of the Weta Workshop Studios, or for the nature lovers, a guided tour of our renowned wildlife sanctuary Zealandia.  Features include: • Mt Victoria lookout (360 views of Wellington) • Ride on Iconic Wellington Cable Car • Parliament Buildings (Beehive) • Old St Paul's Cathedral • Lady Norwood Rose Garden • Rocky coastline • Wahine Memorial • Drive through downtown Wellington • Lunch at a seaside cafe • Weta Cave Tour or Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary (tours are with a guide)

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Cruise ship pick up, GST (Goods and Services Tax), Lunch (main and drink), Small-group tour or private tour, Tour escort/host, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Air-conditioned vehicle, Transport by private vehicle, Lunch, Bottled water, Alcoholic Beverages

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Nookiesmum49

The whole tour was informative, fun and totally enjoyable. Richard was an awesome tour guide. We had so many laughs. We saw so much of Wellington we would never have seen. The Weta shop was so awesome we are coming back to book with Richard to do the day tour of Weta. Totally topped off our trip to Wellington.

3. Spectacular Wellington: Private Sightseeing Tour - Full Day

uTours
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5.0 based on 10 reviews

We make Wellington easy for you. On your private tour you will explore our inner city, historic buildings, our beautiful beaches and hills. Learn about our history, our people & our earthquakes from a passionate local. Enjoy flexibility, informed conversation, individual attention, personal space in our comfortable vehicle and the opportunity to connect with the Wellington that locals love. Why chose a uTours private tour: Travel only with your friends (maximum 10). Your tour will be personalised to reflect your interests, pace & time requirements. Vehicle is cleaned thoroughly between tours. You will be met on time at an agreed location, usually your accommodation. We will communicate with you quickly and clearly. You will be driven safely, have fun & be well looked after. At the end of your tour, you will have a good sense of Wellington. Shore excursion timing will be based on your ship's schedule. uTours – where it's all about Wellington and all about you!

Inclusions: We include cold drinks, coffee and locally made treats., Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Lunch is at customer cost on the day. We decided to be as flexible as possible to meet your food needs. We will recommend excellent local food options based on when & where hunger strikes., Additional attractions may be available at customer cost on the day., A minimum of two guests is required.

Reviewed By MarlenaDijkstra

Suzee had her work cut out for her with a mixed audience - young and old, local and non-local. She did an excellent job however of keeping us all entertained, and was able to adapt the programme to suit the weather and our varied interests. She has a wealth of knowledge about Wellington, and we enjoyed the surprise programme she had in store for us. The minibus was very comfortable, with nice big windows so we could sit back and enjoy the view. Would highly recommend Utours for any groups wanting to see a different side of Wellington and learn about its interesting history. Thanks Suzee!

4. Coastal Kapiti: Private Sightseeing Tour - Full Day

uTours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Enjoy yourself on a relaxing private tour heading north to the Kāpiti Coast. Appreciate the Coast's natural unspoiled beauty, deserted beaches, local bird life, fabulous art and great food at a relaxed pace. Car enthusiasts will not want to miss the over 400 classic cars at Southward Car Museum. uTours offers you flexibility, informed conversation, individual attention, personal space and the opportunity to connect with the Kāpiti that locals love. Why chose uTours: Travel only with your friends (max 10). Your tour will be personalised to reflect your interests, pace & time requirements. Your vehicle is cleaned thoroughly between tours. You will be met on time at an agreed location, usually your accommodation. We will communicate with you quickly and clearly. You will be driven safely, have fun & be well looked after. May be available as a shore excursion, depending on your ship's schedule. uTours – it really is all about you!

Inclusions: We include cold drinks, coffee and locally made treats., Air-conditioned vehicle, Entry to Southward Car Museum

Exclusions: Lunch is at customer cost on the day. This is to maintain flexibility with your food choices. We will recommend excellent local food options based on when and where hunger strikes., Entry to Nga Manu Nature Reserve, A minimum of two guests is required

Reviewed By MarlenaDijkstra

Suzee had her work cut out for her with a mixed audience - young and old, local and non-local. She did an excellent job however of keeping us all entertained, and was able to adapt the programme to suit the weather and our varied interests. She has a wealth of knowledge about Wellington, and we enjoyed the surprise programme she had in store for us. The minibus was very comfortable, with nice big windows so we could sit back and enjoy the view. Would highly recommend Utours for any groups wanting to see a different side of Wellington and learn about its interesting history. Thanks Suzee!

5. Get out of the City - Wellington Region Full-day Private Tour

uTours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

We love the city, but sometimes you just have to get in touch with nature. Boasting beautiful beaches, wetlands teeming with birds & stunning rural country, you will sample the best of the greater Wellington region including the Kāpiti Coast and the Hutt Valley. Ideal for those who have visited Wellington before or want to see a little bit more than the city. uTours offers you flexibility, informed conversation, individual attention, personal space and the opportunity to connect with the Wellington that locals love. Why chose a uTours private tour: Travel only with your friends (maximum 10). Your tour will be personalised to reflect your interests, pace & time requirements. Your vehicle is cleaned thoroughly between tours. You will be driven safely, have fun & be well looked after. We will communicate quickly and clearly. Shore excursion timing - based on your ship's schedule. uTours – it really is all about you!

Inclusions: Cold drinks, coffee & locally made treats., Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Additional attractions may be available at customer cost on the day., A minimum of 2 guests., Lunch is at customer cost on the day. We decided to be as flexible as possible to meet your food needs. We will recommend excellent local food options based on when & where hunger strikes.

Reviewed By MarlenaDijkstra

Suzee had her work cut out for her with a mixed audience - young and old, local and non-local. She did an excellent job however of keeping us all entertained, and was able to adapt the programme to suit the weather and our varied interests. She has a wealth of knowledge about Wellington, and we enjoyed the surprise programme she had in store for us. The minibus was very comfortable, with nice big windows so we could sit back and enjoy the view. Would highly recommend Utours for any groups wanting to see a different side of Wellington and learn about its interesting history. Thanks Suzee!

6. Remutaka Rail Trail Reversi Cycle Tour

Cycle Remutaka
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Discover the Remutaka Ranges' rich rail history & natural beauty, the meandering Hutt River trail, and the beautiful Eastern Bays. Taking in some of the best parts of the the Remutaka Cycle Trail, this is a challenging ride with a steep uphill climb to begin with. 65km of moderate riding.

Inclusions: Comfortable and capable mountain bike / eBike, Helmet and repair kit, Rear carrier rack and trunk bag for your personal effects, Packed lunch, water, and snacks, First Aid kit and GPS tracker in case of emergency, Ferry from Days Bay (5.30pm) back to Wellington's CBD, All taxes, fees and handling charges

Exclusions: Excludes on-trail guide - our friendly staff will brief you and answer any questions you may have, but the trail is really easy to follow and full of information stations, so a guide isn't really necessary.

Reviewed By CharlieOscarPapa

My husband and I recently did the trail starting in Cross Creek and ending at Brewtown - the opposite direction (called ‘reverse’) up the Fell Incline and adding on the Hutt River Trail. It was a very windy day (at one point, I was blown off my bike), but otherwise sunny. We went midweek, so the trails and Brewtown were quieter than we expect they are at weekends, but still friendly folks around. Pros: beautiful route with interesting information points, wonderful views and fun aspects - like the suspension bridge at the well named Siberia. Good bikes (we had ebikes) and quality lunch provided as part of the package. Pickup and return to our home in Wellington made accessing the trip very easy and convenient. Delays to pickup time alerted via text. Explanation etc of bike features at the start. Cons: somewhat lacklustre customer service. (We note others have commented on this). The confirmation email says the company would contact us the day before to confirm and discuss the trip. We heard nothing so texted them at 1830 including asking about the wind and received a short text in return. In the event, with the strength of the wind and gusts we would not have been able to complete the trip without our ebikes, and it would have been helpful to have been warned that we would be cycling into wind for most of the trip because of the direction we had chosen. Forewarned is forearmed. As this is a self guided tour, the information /route sheet could be improved. There are several junctions, where just adding the name of the road would be simple and very helpful. At one point, we called the company as the description and mud map were confusing. Similarly, just adding the name of the “blue dairy”(another junction) would give confidence to people from out of town. We were warned when dropped off to give the company 45-60 minutes advance warning by text of when we wanted our pickup to return home. Accordingly we texted the company as soon as we arrived at Brewtown just before 4pm asking for a pickup in 45 minutes. This was not acknowledged until half an hour later ( due to “being on a long phone call”) and we were then told the lift would be there in about 30 minutes. We waited outside the brewery until 5.45 - having been warned they do not pickup after 1800 - so were thinking we might have to call an Uber to get home. A few small changes would have meant we felt we had an excellent day.

7. Spectacular Wellington - Private Sightseeing Tour - Half Day

uTours
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5.0 based on 11 reviews

We make Wellington easy for you. On your private tour you will explore our inner city, historic buildings, our beautiful beaches and hills. Learn about our history, our people & our earthquakes from a passionate local. Enjoy flexibility, informed conversation, individual attention, personal space in our comfortable vehicle and the opportunity to connect with the Wellington that locals love. Why chose a uTours private tour: Travel only with your friends (maximum 10). Your tour will be personalised to reflect your interests, pace & time requirements. Your vehicle is cleaned thoroughly between tours. You will be met on time at an agreed location, usually your accommodation. We will communicate with you quickly and clearly. You will be driven safely, have fun & be well looked after. At the end of your tour, you will have a good sense of Wellington. Available as a shore excursion, based on your ship's schedule. uTours – where it's all about Wellington and all about you!

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, We include cold drinks, coffee and locally made treats.

Exclusions: A minimum of two guests is required., Additional attractions may be available at customer cost on the day., Lunch is at customer cost on the day. We decided to be as flexible as possible to meet your food needs. We will recommend excellent local food options based on when & where hunger strikes.

Reviewed By Mick C

Having Suzee guide around Wellington was like visiting a friend who lives in town and having them show us around, and as first time visitors this was the perfect way to see all we could in the day we were there while cruising New Zealand. Communication was excellent, pick up and drop off was directly at the port right next to the ship - so no messing about with shuttle buses into town - and back with plenty of time to spare. Although we put ourselves completely in Suzee's hands, the day was tailored to our wishes so it was easy to exclude things we weren't particularly keen on, and add in a few extras to suit what we were looking for - including a great coffee, and a hidden gem of a lunch spot we would never have found on our own. With a wife that doesn't cope particularly well in cars, she was put at-ease with Suzee's exemplary driving and comfortable car - a proper 5-star experience for a bespoke tour of Wellington - book with confidence. Highly recommended.

8. Kakapo 21 Day New Zealand Small Group Tour

Grand Mercure Auckland, 8 Customs Street East, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand MoaTrek
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5.0 based on 41 reviews

Small Groups - Maximum 18 travellers per tour. NZ Family Owned since 1971 - Many NZ tour companies are Australian owned. Off the Beaten Track Destinations - where big coaches can't go. Flexibility - Time to add as many (or few) activities around the country as you like. Walking - For those who would like to, there are lots of short walks all over the country, your guides will help you find them. Kiwi Guides - Our guides are all passionate Kiwis who know the country like the back of their hands.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Private transportation, 20 Included Activities as per itinerary

Exclusions: Flights from your home country to New Zealand, Single Accommodation Supplement for Sole Room Use.

Reviewed By Wander636823

Kudos to Moa Tours for organising such a great trip. Te Wai Poumanu is beautiful in April with all the autumn colours. This was my first trip with Moa and I have already booked a second one. Special mention must be made of our guide Andrew. His knowledge, passion and enthusiasm shone throughout and he has a great sense of humour, much appreciated when dealing with so many diverse customers. He always went the extra mile to make everyone’s journey enjoyable. I would highly recommend both Moa and Andrew for kiwis wanting to experience the beauty of their own country.

9. Remutaka Rail Trail Cycle Tour from Wellington

Cycle Remutaka
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5.0 based on 28 reviews

Discover the Remutaka area’s rich rail history and natural beauty on an easy, all-inclusive, 6 hour mountain biking day trip. The flagship of the Remutaka Cycle Trail, this trail is suitable for riders of all levels. Cycle through native, bird-filled forest, over bridges and through tunnels while enjoying views of the natural landscape and the old railway system. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch at the Summit and embark on a fun (but easily controllable) descent to Cross Creek in the Wairarapa, home to some of New Zealand’s most scenic farmland. You will be provided with everything you will need for your adventure - transport to and from your accommodation, bikes 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!

Inclusions: All food and water provided - snacks, light lunch, tea and coffee, water., All equipment - mountain bikes / eBikes, helmets and other safety gear, racks and a pannier bag for your personal effects., All transport - shuttles to and from your hotel / pickup point, and any other transports required throughout day., Knowledgeable and friendly host, who will provide information regarding the trail and what to expect throughout the day., All taxes/fees are included in the headline price - no hidden extras.

Exclusions: Ecludes on-trail guide - our friendly staff will brief you and answer any questions you may have, but the trail is really easy to follow and full of information stations, so a guide isn't really necessary.

Reviewed By Annabel L

3 fantastic days cycling - all extremely different. Loved every minute, even when I was battling a head wind around Pencarrow Point or bouncing my way down a narrow path in the Rimutakas. This is a must do cycle trail in New Zealand and I highly recommend it. Not too difficult and there is always an e-bike option for those that don't want the hills. I finished by continuing into Featherston and enjoyed the Wairarapa countryside.

10. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa: Gallipoli Early Bird Entry

55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
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4.9 based on 16 reviews

Beat the crowds and explore this award-winning exhibitions before opening. Explore Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War with the peace and stillness this subject matter deserves by entering the exhibit half an hour before the public. Te Papa has joined forces with Weta Workshop to create an exhibition like no other. After a short introduction from a Te Papa Host, you will wander freely at your own pace through this gallery. Garnering international acclaim and various awards, this space is best experienced before the museum's doors are opened for general admission. * See eight extraordinary New Zealanders captured frozen in time on a monumental scale - 2.4 times human size * Learn about the battles that took place in this culturally-defining event * Discover more about the ANZAC story through 3D maps and projections, miniatures, models, dioramas, and a range of interactive experiences.

Inclusions: Professional guide, Local taxes

Exclusions: Entrance fees to short-term paid exhibitions

Reviewed By chachaBK

love coming here with kids everytime in wellington always discovering new stuff! take time in the nature room same level as the anzac display love the giant squid the pinball rainfall display and the into nature video screen that records us moving then plays back 4 times cant explain just awesome! also love how the moa bones shadow moves every so often. also love nature walk outside with swing bridge and pretend glow worms

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