10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Greater Wellington That You Shouldn't Miss

A beautiful heritage building, Government House in Wellington is the principal residence for New Zealand's Governor-General. Designed in the office of the Government Architect, John Campbell, the designer of Parliament Buildings,the house was built between 1908 and 1910. A major strengthening and refurbishment project was undertaken in 2008,with the official reopening taking place in March 2011. Built mostly of wood, Government House has eight guest suites and a self-contained apartment for the Governor-General, as well as a ballroom, conservatory, sitting rooms, service rooms, kitchens and offices. The formal rooms can be visited by the public,schools and community groups Visitors may also tour the gardens if the weather is fine.

Poppies Martinborough is the tasting room cellar door for our wines we serve a simple but beautiful vineyard platter for lunch that we believe will enhance our wines

Wellington Museum celebrates the people and the events that have shaped the character and soul of the Capital City of New Zealand and it’s region. Visitors are transported to the 1800s, and then explore the city’s metamorphosis. The Ngā Heke exhibition showcases prized taonga, Te Whanganui a Tara (The Great Harbour of Tara), and contemporary work from Māori artists and poets. Reach the top floor and you’ll be greeted by the delightfully bizarre; The Attic, which embraces the more peculiar side of Wellington’s history. Explore, listen, and even time travel. The Museum Store is a gem of a place to get a unique gift for yourself or a loved one, find exquisite New Zealand made memorabilia. The Museum is located at the heart of Wellington’s waterfront, just two minutes from the shopping on Lambton Quay and the iconic cable car. It is free and listed as one of the must-dos while in the world’s coolest little capital.

Experience the whole of New Zealand in one building! Te Papa is New Zealand's bold, innovative and interactive national museum. Explore the great treasures and stories of this country, its unique natural environment, Maori culture and taonga (treasures), dynamic art heritage, and its fascinating history. Te Papa is located on Wellington's spectacular waterfront. Open 10am to 6pm every day except Christmas Day. General admission is free.

Take a tour with one of our trained guides to visit key parts of Parliament's buildings. Learn about our parliamentary processes and New Zealand’s history while looking through our iconic buildings. Free public tours operate seven days a week with the first tour at 10am, last tour 4pm. Public tour group size is limited to 25 people, therefore bookings are advisable. Bookings can be made by either email or phone. Specialist tours are available on request but must be booked in advance. We recommend you arrive least 15 minutes before the tour departs so you have time to check in your belongings. Everyone must leave their bags, coats, phones, cameras and other electronic devices in secure storage at the Visitor Centre in the Beehive.

Be embraced by the beauty of this gorgeous wooden Gothic Revival cathedral - still sacred, welcoming to all, in the heart of Wellington's heritage precinct. Breathtakingly beautiful - the capital city's famous Old St Paul's, constructed entirely of native timbers, is one of New Zealand's greatest heritage places. Experience the wonderful and sometimes quirky stories of this former cathedral, its historic location and its people. Gaze at Old St Paul's unique architecture, admire its exquisite embroidered furnishings and be awed by the colours of its beautiful stained glass windows. The site where Old St Paul's stands was formerly part of Pipitea Pā, and for almost 100 years, Old St Paul's served as the parish church of Thorndon and the Anglican Cathedral of Wellington. It remains a place of spiritual significance to many and is a popular venue for a wide variety of cultural events and celebrations.

Space Place tells the stories of the southern skies through full-dome digital planetarium films, interactive exhibitions and events including workshops and courses to help people discover the spaces above New Zealand, Earth. Cast your eyes skyward at Space Place’s dazzling full-dome planetarium that’ll take you on an unforgettable journey from Wellington to the outer regions of our solar system. Most shows feature a live exploration through the southern skies over New Zealand. Take a look at our skies through the historic Thomas Cooke telescope during late nights when the weather is clear. During school terms, the centre is working with school groups, and open to the public, Tuesday and Friday evenings and weekends, while during school holidays it is open every day. There is no better place to learn about the beauty and the greatness of the universe around us than at Space Place.