World City Guide

Tours of the City

Walking tours
Central Wellington is only 2km (1.25 miles) wide, so it can easily be explored on foot. A number of heritage trails highlight the history of the city. Booklets for the self-guided tours are available from the Visitor Centre (see Sightseeing). Otherwise Walk Wellington (tel: (04) 384 9590) offers excellent guided walks with knowledgeable guides. There are general walks, walks focused on aspects such as art, heritage nature or shopping, as well as personalized walks.

Bus tours
Hammonds Sightseeing (tel: (04) 472 0869; website: www.wellingtonsightseeingtours.com) has a capital city scenic tour departing twice daily.

Boat tours
East by West offers short trips from Queens Wharf to Days Bay, offering great view of the harbour. There are up to eigth sailings daily. Call for more information and timetables (tel: (04) 499 1273; website: www.eastbywest.co.nz). For something a bit swankier, try a dinner cruise on the Wellesley, a restored heritage vessel that currently operates on Wellington Harbour. Dinner cruises most Fridays and Saturdays (tel: (04) 474 1308; website: www.thewellesley.co.nz).

Other tours
Many locations around Wellington were used by local Peter Jackson for his Lord of the Rings trilogy, including Mount Victoria, Seatoun, Hutt Valley, Dry Creek Quarry and Kaitoke. Capital Adventure Tours (tel: (04) 562 8888; website: www.capitaladventuretours.co.nz) offer tours to many of the film’s locations in a 4wd Mercedes Unimog.