There's plenty to do in Wellington - so take a peek at our guide to discover the best places to eat, drink, shop, and more in New Zealand's capital city.
Rated one of the world’s windiest cities, New Zealand’s neat little capital has a reputation for ruining new umbrellas and fancy hairdos, but don’t let that put you off. Wellington has much more to offer than the weather forecast would have you believe.
Chosen as the first major planned settlement for British immigrants in 1839 (and stealing the title of ‘country capital’ off Auckland in 1865), the population of creators, musicians, politicians, business people, students, and travellers will agree that this is a place worth settling down in.
Home to the much-loved Te Papa museum, Wellington hosts many museums, libraries, theatres, and festivals, giving this city the melting pot of culture and fun it is so well known for. Hardly a day goes by without a festival of some sort or another — whether it's the World of Wearable Arts, Wellington on a Plate, or the International Comedy Festival to name a few.
Proud Wellingtonians are known for their dress sense – just take a walk down colourful Cuba Street and you’ll soon see. Their love of eating, drinking, shopping, theatre, and gigs are just a few of the many reasons why this city seems to be constantly buzzing with activity.
One of a Kind Experiences in the Hutt Valley
From historic streets and artisan craft to quirky collections, the Hutt Valley is packed with experiences you simply won’t find anywhere else - here, every stop tells its own story.
One of the Locals: An Insider's Guide to the Hutt Valley
The Hutt Valley: severely underestimated, often misunderstood, and full of surprises for every type of visitor.
Lyall Bay's Line-Up of Eats
If there’s one thing that can make a lively beach suburb even better, it’s a stellar selection of restaurants, bars, and cafes.
Meet the Makers of Lyall Bay
Maybe it’s the impressive beachside backdrop that acts as inspiration, but Lyall Bay is fast growing into a thriving creators’ hub.
Explore our Directory
View AllLib & Lu
With its pristine white walls and shelves resembling - literally and metaphorically - a blank canvas, Lib & Lu is the kind of homeware store that encourages you to...
Stackhouse Knives
Sparks fly, hammers ring out, and raw steel slowly takes shape under steady hands at Stackhouse Knives, a working studio where craftsmanship is celebrated and shared.
Hotel Catalina
Unlike the planes you can watch whizzing overhead, Hotel Catalina is a place that leans into the simple pleasure of being exactly where you want to be, for as long as you...
Real Aotearoa
Peppered with tight rows of the most beautiful glass and pounamu pieces, Real Aotearoa is a gallery that is intentionally small.
Get your Pocket Guide for Wellington
There's plenty to do in Wellington - so take a peek at our guide to discover the best places to eat, drink, shop, and more in New Zealand's capital city.
The Botanist
Who said plant-based had to be boring? At The Botanist, the dishes are anything but run of the mill.
Empire of Genius
As much a working studio as it is a boutique, Empire of Genius presents a slower, more considered way to shop for clothes.
Pick a Posy
Bringing a touch of colour and fragrance that blends seamlessly with the sea spray from across the road, Pick a Posy is the go-to stop at Lyall Bay Junction for bouquets for...
Southward Distilling
Stories tend to linger a little longer when they’re poured into a glass.
Real Surf
Having built surfboards for more than 30 years, Roger Titcombe certainly knows what he’s doing, and his beloved Real Surf is built on a lifetime in the water and on...
Jane Blackmore Gallery/Studio
Wellington artist Jane Blackmore’s Lyall Bay gallery is a space that feels as much lived-in as it is curated, where the line between studio and gallery blurs in the...
Bay City Tattoo & Barbershop
Injecting a good dose of Polynesian pride and hospitality to the area, the banter from Bay City Tattoo & Barbershop echoes well beyond the walls of Lyall Bay Junction.
Onepū
There’s something special about a takeaway spot that just feels part of its neighbourhood, and Onepū certainly captures that spirit.
Wellington Rafting
There’s something quintessentially Hutt Valley-esque in the simplicity and straightforwardness of Wellington Rafting’s mission statement: they’ve been...
Monsoon Poon Wellington
Providing nourishment in abundance (as the name would suggest), Wellington’s Monsoon Poon has been a Blair Street fixture for a quarter of a century and counting.
Slice
Decked out in a neon green that you just can’t miss if you’re anywhere near Lombard Street, there’s something joyfully unpretentious about Slice.
Fork & Brewer
From the moment you cast your eye on the row of gleaming brew vessels and polished tap handles, Bond Street’s Fork & Brewer in Wellington signals that here, beer...
J & M Fastfoods
Crowned by a giant Coca-Cola bottle that's become a Courtenay Place landmark, J&M Fastfoods has been satisfying Wellington's lunch crowds and night owls for nearly two...
