Wellington City Sights and Coastline Tour - 1 Day

The perfect introduction to one of New Zealand’s best cities! Join our Wellington city sights and discover all the top things to do in Wellington. Discover the capital city of New Zealand on a 3 hour coach tour of Wellington. Your driver-guide points out the highlights, including historic landmarks and iconic buildings such as the Beehive and Old St Paul’s Cathedral.

You’ll stroll through the Wellington Botanic Garden, drive through the suburbs of Seatoun and Oriental Bay, appreciate the vista over Wellington Harbour and the South Coast from Mt Victoria, and have the option to take a ride on the Wellington Cable Car.

Highlights

• View New Zealand’s Parliament Buildings and Beehive, Pop into Old Saint Paul’s Cathedral
• Feel the breeze at the top of Mount Victoria
• Enjoy your personal tour commentary by your local guide

Wellington City Sights & Coastline Tour

The perfect introduction to Wellington City!

See Wellington through the eyes of a local on this tour. Experience the best attractions and must-see landmarks of this vibrant city and get off the tourist trail. Gain a 360° view of the city from Mount Victoria, experience the rugged south coast seas and explore interesting quaint villages throughout the city.

Take a ride on the famous cable car (optional at own cost) but most of all sit back and enjoy Wellington at its finest!

On this 3-hour sightseeing tour, get an overview of Wellington, New Zealand’s lively city – a wonderful introduction for those short on time.

Meet your driver-guide in a central location and settle into the spacious bus, then listen to insightful commentary about Wellington’s history and sights. Visit the neoclassical Parliament House and learn about the Beehive’s unique architectural design (aka Executive Wing).

You’ll wander around and observe the timber construction of the heritage-listed Old St Paul’s Church. Follow your tour through the Wellington Botanic Garden’s 62-acre (25-hectare) trails to the Begonia House and Lady Norwood Rose Garden. Take the Wellington Cable Car for a lovely 5-minute ride to the city center (own expense).

Then, before returning to the shore, your bus motors up to the Mt Victoria lookout, which offers magnificent views of Wellington. Before your tour ends, you’ll cruise past Oriental Parade, Seatoun, and Thorndon, taking in the lively atmosphere of Wellington’s waterfront.

Itinerary

Hammonds Wellington Tours

Throughout your tour, your guide provides informative commentary on the history and sights of Wellington. You can also get great tips on dining and local hot spots. You’ll see so much in a short time on this tour of New Zealand’s dynamic capital, making it a great introduction to this beautiful city.

Wellington i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Pick up any additional passengers if required.

Wellington Cable Car

The cable car is one of Wellington’s most popular tourist attractions. At the top you will gain some of the most beautiful views of the harbour and city. If you would like to do the iconic Cable Car journey you can purchase a ticket for $5 upon arrival.

Cable Car Museum

Once you arrive at the top of the Cable Car, call in to the Cable Car Museum if time permits and take your photo on top of the old Cable Car.

Wellington Botanic Garden

Disembark at the Wellington Botanic Garden, which features both native and non-native species on a gorgeous 62-acre (25 hectare) property.

Lady Norwood Rose Garden

Wander the Begonia House and Lady Norwood Rose Garden where formal gardens showcase more than 3,000 roses. Keep your eye out for the silver fern. A feature of the gardens are the major seasonal floral displays.

New Zealand Parliament

Admire the architecture of New Zealand’s Parliament buildings, including the unusual design of the Beehive (aka Executive Wing) and the neoclassical Parliament House. It has four floors below ground and also has tunnels linking the Beehive with parliamentary offices across the street in Bowen House. You will have a chance to stop and take photos outside The Beehive.

Wellington Cenotaph

This is the memorial where citizens of New Zealand and Australia commemorate the ANZACs (those who fought in World War 1 and World War 2).

Wellington Cathedral of St. Paul

Pass by the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul’s the mother church of the diocese of Wellington.

Old St Paul’s

Wellington’s famous St Pauls constructed entirely of native timbers is one of New Zealand’s great heritage places. Hop off the bus here to have a look inside with your guide.

Wellington Railway Station

You will drive by the architecturally significant Wellington Railway Station which stands at 23.5m tall and 105.5m long.

Wellington Museum

The Wellington Museum is currently replacing the Old St Paul’s Church stop while the church is earthquake strengthened. You will have time to briefly explore the exhibits of the Museum.

Wellington Waterfront

You will drive past the Wellington Waterfront which includes some key attractions including the Wellington Museum and New Zealand’s National Museum Te Papa. Walk down the waterfront after your tour and enjoy lunch lunch or a drink at one of the many bars, restaurants or cafes.

Oriental Bay

This popular and scenic area is home to some of the best real estate in the city as well as some funky cafes and gorgeous restaurants. Come back here after your tour for a walk along the beach or a photo at the boatsheds. As you head back to the coast and pass through picturesque suburbs such as Oriental Parade, Seatoun, and Thorndon, hear stories about historic shipwrecks off the South Coast and take in the vibrant atmosphere of the Wellington waterfront.

Carter Fountain

You will pass by the Carter Fountain which is located 150m out into Wellington Harbour along Oriental Bay. It was named after its benefactor Hugh Carter who tragically drowned 4 days after its inauguration.

Breaker Bay

You will drive through Breaker Bay where you will briefly stop to hear the story of the Wahine disaster.

Tarakena Bay

Stop to take photos of the rugged coastline at Moa Point

Lyall Bay

This is a popular surfing beach for the locals but don’t be fooled as the water is coming straight from the Antarctic. You will have a couple of photo stops in Lyall Bay and will be able to take in the rugged coastline.

Mount Victoria

Soak in the scenery as your coach climbs to the summit of Mt Victoria. From the lookout, enjoy panoramic city views and a birds-eye perspective of the rolling hills and rugged bays that surround Wellington.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Travelers can make a request to be dropped off at Te Papa the Museum of New Zealand at the end of the tour.

Embassy Theatre

Pass by the historic Embassy Theatre originally built in 1924 and is a place recognized with a historic and cultural significance which also hosted the world premiere of The Lord of The Rings.

Wellington City Sights and Coastline Tour.