Top 10 Day Trips from in Wellington, North Island

January 23, 2022 Marissa Gamble

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. Rimutaka Inclined Cycle Tour

Green Jersey Cycle Tours
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

An easy day ride with an adventurous edge to suit most levels of rider experience. 17- 35 km (depends how you choose to do it) of riding on the Rimutaka Rail Trail. This is an ideal Cruise Ship visitor experience.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Lunch, Snacks, Use of bicycle, Use of helmet

Exclusions: Gratuities, Transportation to/from attractions (you need to purchase a train fare at the Wellington Train Station.

Reviewed By pixie21

We were disappointed with the tour as it was shortened without our prior knowledge because another guest had to be picked up at Featherston Railway station so we spent quite a bit of time going there and back from Martinborough. We felt the trip was rushed and we didn't have the time to do the Putangirua Pinnacles walk (only a hurried walk to the closest pinnacles) and there was no stop off at a winery. Unfortunately, the trip we went on was not as promised and did not live up to the claims made on the website. The lack of communication regarding the change was frustrating and we feel charging us the full price for a shorter day was a bit much. No acknowledgement from the company regarding the email we sent with our concerns.

2. Private Wellington Craft Beer Full Day Tour

Capital Personalised Tours
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Spend a relaxing day in the company of craft beer masters on this full-day private craft beer tour from your cruise ships arrival in Wellington. On this informative and fun private tour you will visit the breweries that have made Wellington the craft beer capital of New Zealand. After a "behind the scenes' tour of the Kereru Brewery, you will lunch at Art of Pizza, famous for their New York style pizzas, with Kereru craft beer on tap for the perfect match. Enjoy an afternoon visiting four more craft beer breweries before you return to your cruise ship in Wellington or to a craft beer bar of choice.

Inclusions: Private tour, Bottled water, Lunch, Craft Beer tasting, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Port pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By lorrainedob

It was exactly what I wanted. Relaxed and informative. Kelvin let me choose the pace of the tour and it was perfect. I would happily recommend to friends and family.

3. Taste Buds Tour: Petone - Half Day

111 Wakefield Street, Wellington 6011, New Zealand Zozo Travel Limited
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Discover the locally made treats and secret foodie spots in Petone, one of the oldest settlements in Wellington. This 5-hour tour gives your taste buds a thrilling journey through the history and produce of local food and beverage artisans and importers. Get an exclusive behind the scenes look at a local specialty coffee roastery, taste freshly made cheeses, sample local craft beers, visit a chocolatier, and have a tasting platter at an Italian restaurant and cafe. A different tasting experience at every location. Itinerary varies daily!

Inclusions: Small Group Tour., Transport by private vehicle., Professional local driver guide., Food and beverage tasting., All taxes, fees and handling charges., Hotel pickup and drop-off available, Lunch

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks and food products for taking away are available to purchase (optional) at own expense., Gratuities

Reviewed By tyronrm

Me and my partner experienced our first wine tasting tour - we absolutely loved it. Phil makes for an entertaining tour guide. The scenery was perfect. We enjoyed many types of wine we didn't know we liked. It was also very educational. All in all, a great tour i recommend everyone does. It isn't too long or too short either.

4. Martinborough Winery Private Tour

Wellington i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand Zozo Travel Limited
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5.0 based on 7 reviews

Enjoy a 5 hour guided tour over the Remutaka Ranges to Martinborough, one of New Zealand's premier wine regions. Visit three of the regions best wineries and enjoy their Cellar Door experiences as you sample the world class products available. Your driver guide will narrate your journey and provide local knowledge about this stunningly beautiful area.

Inclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax), Wine tasting, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Private tour

Exclusions: Lunch (optional)

Reviewed By tyronrm

Me and my partner experienced our first wine tasting tour - we absolutely loved it. Phil makes for an entertaining tour guide. The scenery was perfect. We enjoyed many types of wine we didn't know we liked. It was also very educational. All in all, a great tour i recommend everyone does. It isn't too long or too short either.

5. Martinborough Wine and Wild Coast Tour from Wellington

Wellington i-SITE Visitor Information Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand Zozo Travel Limited
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5.0 based on 24 reviews

Your expert local guide will narrate as you take a scenic drive over the Remutaka Ranges, where you will enjoy wine tastings at a selection of Martinborough wineries, on this full day tour. Lunch will be served at a vineyard restaurant before the tour heads to the south Wairarapa coast. Visit the rugged coastal village of Ngawi and the North Island's largest permanent seal colony as well as a drive by of the famed “Paths of the Dead” from Lord of the Rings, the Putangirua Pinnacles. Finally climb the steps to the Cape Palliser Lighthouse for epic sweeping sea views before heading to the Lake Ferry Hotel on the edge of Lake Onoke for dinner. This 10 hour tour takes in a variety of stunning landscapes in the greater Wellington region.

Inclusions: Local accommodation (hotel) or cruise ship pickup and drop-off, Local driver guide, Live commentary on board, Lunch (main dish and one drink), Wine tasting fees, Dinner (main dish and one drink), Transport by air-conditioned private vehicle, Alcoholic Beverages

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By tyronrm

Me and my partner experienced our first wine tasting tour - we absolutely loved it. Phil makes for an entertaining tour guide. The scenery was perfect. We enjoyed many types of wine we didn't know we liked. It was also very educational. All in all, a great tour i recommend everyone does. It isn't too long or too short either.

6. Martinborough Wine Experience

Xplor Tours
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5.0 based on 8 reviews

Martinborough Wine Experience A fully escorted tour which takes in three award winning wineries in Martinborough,a craft beer brewery and a sensational shop bursting with speciality cheeses. Enjoy  your wine tasting matched with a delightful gourmet lunch platter at a boutique winery that will leave your taste buds tingling. The option of replacing the craft beer brewery with a fourth winery is available on request. Features include: • Picturesque ride through the Hutt Valley, seeing some of the Lord of the Rings filming sites • 20 minute drive over the Remutaka Mountain Range then through tranquil rural town and countryside leading to Martinborough • Tasting at boutique wineries • Gourmet platter lunch • Tasting at local craft beer brewery • Tasting at C'est Cheese

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Hotel pickup and drop-off, GST (Goods and Services Tax), Tasting fees, Gourmet lunch platter, Tour escort/host, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Air-conditioned vehicle, Transport by private vehicle, Lunch, Bottled water

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.

7. Remutaka Cycle Trail Highlights Tour

Cycle Remutaka
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

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 8-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 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, water., All equipment - mountain bikes / eBikes, helmets and other safety gear, racks and a pannier bag., 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: Excludes on-trail guide - you will be shuttled to/from each location and briefed on the trail.

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.

8. Private Kapiti Coast Full Day Tour

Capital Personalised Tours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

This tour is all about you. We travel in luxury to the Kapiti region just north of Wellington and can customize the tour to suit your needs.

Inclusions: Lunch, Alcoholic Beverages, Bottled water, Private transportation, All entrance fees for the day

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Reviewed By lorrainedob

It was exactly what I wanted. Relaxed and informative. Kelvin let me choose the pace of the tour and it was perfect. I would happily recommend to friends and family.

9. 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!

10. Private Martinborough Wine Delights Tour from Wellington

Kaewa Tours Ltd
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Your tour is your tour only! No mixed groups! You get to have your own dedicated Driver/Guide and 'Memory Creator' for your entire tour. Enjoy a 7 hour private tour from Wellington to the South Wairarapa covering majestic scenery, visits to Gladstone and Martinborough Wineries including a spectacular platter lunch at one of the wineries we visit. We also visit the beautiful town of Martinborough well recognised for the 'Capital' of Pinot Noir of the North Island. We visit 4 wineries including lunch at a winery. Your tour also includes a private tour at one of the wineries visited covering the winery, vineyard and tastings. If you have any particular winery you wish to visit this can be arranged in advance. Please note this tour is only available for 18 years of age and older.

Inclusions: Bottled New Zealand spring water., Includes 1 glass of wine, beer or other beverage., Tasting fees, Entry fees, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation

Exclusions: Gratuities

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