If you’re on a tight budget, you can visit these attractions in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. You will learn a great deal, have fun exploring this city, and spend longer than you thought here.
If you plan on travelling around New Zealand, the best way to get around is by car. Not only do you get to see more, but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.
If you don’t have a car, public transport is available in Wellington. Click on Metlink for times and services.
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Contents
- 1 Wellington Area Free Attractions
- 2 Affordable Wildlife Attractions in Wellington
- 3 Masterton
- 4 Where I Stayed
- 5 Conclusion
- 6 Links
- 7 Travel Resources
- 8 Did You Like This Post? Then Pin It!
Wellington Area Free Attractions
Wellington offers many free activities. From parks to memorials, parliament to churches, there is something for everyone. Having all these free attractions also lets you spend that bit extra on the treats I have listed here. Hopefully, there is something that you will enjoy.
Ataturk Memorial
On the Miramar Peninsula, overlooking the Cook Strait, is the Memorial to the Commander of the Turkish soldiers at Gallipoli in WW1 and the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This is a short walk, with stairs, up a hill, chosen as the site to resemble the Gallipoli landscape. You can loop around and back down to the car park. Great views are seen from the top of the harbour, the heads and the Cook Strait.
How To Get Here
Atatürk Memorial is at 166 Breaker Bay Road, Breaker Bay, Wellington. A small walk up a track will take you up to the lookout. The best way to get here is by driving or using public transport. Click here for Metlink services.
Wellington War Memorial
Only a 15-minute walk up Tory Street, you will find the Wellington War Memorial and Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. The National War Memorial Carillon and the Hall of Memories are in these buildings. In front of them is the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior (2004).
Inside the Hall of Memories, an eerie silence prevails. A pictorial video showcases the history of three areas and the surrounding parkland, highlighting the passage of time. The tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies in front of the entrance, with a statue dedicated to the medics and stretcher-bearers off to the right-hand side.
How To Get Here
The Memorial Parklands are less than 2 km from Wellington Central, off Buckle Street. Public transportation is available for those who prefer not to walk.
Hours
Inside, the Memorial is closed for renovations, but the Parkland is always open.
Admission
Free
Walk Along the Waterfront
Take a walk along the waterfront from Queens Wharf all the way around to Oriental Bay Beach or beyond. This walk will take you past numerous significant old buildings, restaurants, cafes, food stalls, the Te Papa Museum, sculptures, marinas, and play areas for young children.
Behind the Te Papa Museum is the sculpture “Solace in the Wind.”
Facing the Harbour, the sculpture represents a man embracing the world’s elements and releasing negative thoughts.
There is also a place next to the Te Papa Museum, where the kids show off their diving skills from the five and 8-metre platforms. It can get crowded on a fine afternoon, especially on weekends.
If you’re here on the weekend, markets are held at the Underground Market on Saturday and between the Te Papa Museum and Chaffers Dock Apartments on Sunday.
Mt. Victoria Lookout
Whether you drive, catch a bus or walk up Mt. Victoria, you won’t be disappointed with the views at the top. 360° views await you, looking out over the harbour, city, airport and the Miramar Peninsula. You may even be lucky to see Tui eating from the local vegetation.
Wellington Botanic Gardens and Wellington Cable Car
Whether you walk up or take the cable car up and walk down, there is plenty to see in this area of Wellington. There is more to see than the Botanic Gardens up here. With so much to see and do in the area, you could spend an afternoon walking the paths and tracks that line the hillside. Wander through the Bolton Street Cemetery, dating from 1840, to see the historic headstones of the first settlers in Wellington. If your interest lies in flowers, consider the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, which features the Begonia House. If you’re lucky, food is provided to feed the ducks in the Duck Pond.
At the top of the gardens, where the Cable Car ends, is what I consider to be the best view in Wellington. Looking out over the harbour and city, you can take a shot with the Cable Car on its way up or down. There is also the Cable Car Museum up here, which offers general free admission. Check out their website for seasonal opening hours.
How To Get Here
The Botanic Gardens can be accessed from the top of the Cable Car, as well as from Glenmore Street and Kinross Street in the city. The Lady Norwood Rose Garden is an easy walk, although it is all uphill from there. The best way is to catch the Cable Car and walk down the steep hill through the gardens.
The Cable Car can be accessed via a laneway off Lambton Quay. It’s well signposted.
Cable Car Hours
Monday – Thursday 7.30 am – 8 pm
Friday 7.30 am – 9 pm
Saturday 8.30 am – 9 pm
Sunday and Public Holidays 8.30 am – 7 pm
Cars run every 10 minutes. Please check their website, as hours are subject to change.
Cable Car Prices
- Adults $6.50 one way or a $12 return
- Child $3.50 one way and $6 return
- Under 5s and Dogs Free
Please check their website for any price changes.
The free shuttle to Zealandia departs from or is located just down the street from the iSite on Wakefield Street. Check their website for times.
Free Tours of The Beehive and Parliamentary Buildings
The Beehive is the name given to New Zealand’s executive building because of its shape, which looks like a beehive. Free tours are offered throughout the day, providing an in-depth look at the history of the New Zealand Parliament and its operational processes. You also get to enter the basement and see the engineering marvel of the Base Isolators. This is how the Parliamentary Buildings are protected against earthquakes with magnitudes of up to 7.5 on the Richter Scale. Unfortunately, no photos could be taken when I was there, and all bags had to be checked into the cloakroom. No belongings are allowed on the tour.
How To Get Here
Parliament Buildings are at 1 Museum Street, Pipitea, less than a kilometre from Central Wellington.
Tours and Times
- The Introduction to Parliament Tour is 60 minutes long and departs at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. daily.
- The Kids in the House Tour (for children aged 5-12 years old) is 45 minutes long and takes place during school holidays and weekends at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- The Art and Objects Tour is 1 hour and 45 minutes long and starts at 10:30 a.m. Check their website for the dates that it is on.
- Visit their website for more information on tours and times.
These tours are free, but book ahead on the website as places are limited.
Old St. Paul’s Cathedral
Saved from demolition in the 1960s, the beautiful old cathedral of Old St. Paul’s is made of native timbers, and it’s not only the sight but the smell of the wood which hits you as you enter. Surrounded by stained glass windows, this cathedral is still used for the occasional wedding and funeral, even though a new St. Paul’s Cathedral is around the corner. With one corner dedicated to history and the other a gift shop, this is undoubtedly a great place to come and reflect, whether or not you’re religious.
How To Get Here
St. Paul’s is located at 34 Mulgrave Street, Pipitea, Wellington, just a 14-minute or 1 km walk from Wellington Central.
Hours
Daily 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day, and on Anzac Day (25 April) until 1.00 pm.
Admission
Donation
Te Papa Museum
One of the world’s best museums, Te Papa Museum, is situated on the Wellington waterfront. Free to enter, it features six floors of exhibitions, with the only one that required a fee at the time of writing being the Terracotta Warriors. This exhibit was on until 22 April 2019. You can also take a bushwalk on the side of the building.
Tours can be taken, although you have to pay for them. The most impressive and moving exhibition is Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War. Working with the Weta Workshop, they have not only brought to life the events that took place over 100 years ago, but the models of the men and women who served are so life-like that you’d think they’d move at any second. Their enormous size makes you realise how special and important this exhibition is.
This exhibition is ongoing.
For more on this exhibit, visit my blog here.
How To Get Here
The Te Papa Museum is on Wellington’s waterfront at 55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington.
Hours
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., daily, except Christmas Day.
Admission
Free except for special exhibitions.
Affordable Wildlife Attractions in Wellington
Zealandia
If you want to see some New Zealand birdlife, Zealandia is the place for you. This 500+-acre area has been fenced off to protect it from pests, helping to safeguard the wildlife that inhabits it.
There are many ways to explore this world-first ecological parkland, from wandering around on your own to taking day or night tours. The link to the tours is here.
With many tracks to explore, you could easily spend all day trying to find New Zealand’s wildlife, including Tuatara, Takahe and many more bird species, including Kiwi, on the night tour in their natural habitat.
How To Get Here
Zealandia is located at 53 Waiapu Road, Karori. Driving is always an option, although there isn’t a large car park. However, they do have 10 electric car charging stations available for use to recharge your vehicle. Additional car parks are 500m away at the Birdwood Road car park.
The easiest way is by complimentary shuttle from either the City iSite, at 111 Wakefield Street, or the top of the Cable Car. You can check the times here.
Another option is by bus, with only a 2-minute walk from the bus stop. You can find timetables here.
Hours
9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
The last entry to the sanctuary is at 4:00 pm.
Admission
Check their website for prices, which vary depending on whether you are self-guided or take a tour.
Tours
- ZEALANDIA BY DAY 2 hours, 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm daily, 12 people per tour.
- TWILIGHT TOURS 2.5 hours that leave before dusk, October-March, 12 people per tour, min. Age 5 years.
- ZEALANDIA BY NIGHT 2.5 hours, leaving before dusk daily, 12 people per tour min. Age 12 years.
- KIDS’ NIGHT WALK: 1.5 hours after dusk, April-September. Minimum of 12 people per tour. Age 12 years.
- DAWN WALKS tours are 2.5 hours long, taking place between 6:15 am and 6:45 am on weekends from April to September, with a minimum of 12 people per tour. The tour is suitable for individuals aged 12 years and above.
There are also private and photo tours, with the photo tours selling out early.
Wellington Zoo
Nothing beats a day at the zoo, and Wellington‘s is no exception.
Even though it’s over 100 years old, improvements are continuously made, with the animals’ well-being as the top priority.
Want to have an encounter with your favourite animal? For an extra cost, you can, but be warned that they do book out early, so be quick. You can find more information about Close Encounters and the Behind the Scenes Experience by clicking the links. You can also see the Talk Times and availability of Close Encounters and Behind the Scenes here.
Talks and feeding times happen throughout the day. You can learn more about the animals and have a better chance of seeing them, as they could be hiding in the large enclosures. You can find the times and a map of the zoo here.
How To Get Here
I walked from the YHA on Wakefield Street and Cambridge Terrace, but if you don’t have a car, the best way is by public transport. It’s located at 200 Daniell Street, Newtown, Wellington, 5 km from Wellington Central.
Hours
9.30 am – 5 pm except for Christmas Day
Admission
For more information, please visit their website here.
There are more attractions you can do without spending a lot of money in Wellington. More walks and beaches can be found along the waterfront, including the Meridian Energy Wind Sculpture Walk along Cobham Drive. Also, Somes Island in Wellington Harbour is a predator-free historic reserve you’re free to explore with easy walking tracks.
Masterton
Masterton is an hour and a half out of Wellington. You may have passed through on your way north or south to or from Wellington.
Pukaha Mount Bruce
If you come into Wellington via Masterton, you should stop at the Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre.
30km north of Masterton is the Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre. If you want to see native birds and lizards, this is the place for you. With an interactive history of the area and a café, there is plenty to see and do, as well as walking through the parkland. You can see New Zealand birds such as the Hihi (Stitchbird), Kākā, Tūī, Kākāriki, Takahe, and Kiwi. Geckos and Tuatara also call this place home.
Opened in 1962 for conservation, it was not opened to the public until 1982. In 2001, the grounds were expanded from 55 to 942 hectares, and numerous walking tracks are available for exploration.
Manukura, the white Kiwi, lives here. She’s not an albino, but she has a recessive gene that causes her to be white instead of the usual brown.
A redwood forest grows here, and it’s a nice place to take in nature.
There is also the only Kokako in captivity. Kahurangi, the Kokako, has been hand-reared and is so used to humans that she thinks she is one. A male Kokako was tried with Kahurangi for
The Kaka and Eels have public feedings daily, where you can get up close with these locals. You can spend 3-5 hours here, seeing the animals and walking the tracks, and it’s an excellent stop on your drive down to Wellington.
How To Get Here
Driving is the only option at this stop on State Highway 2. It’s 30 km north of Masterton, an hour south of Palmerston North, 10km south of Eketahuna, and 2 hours northeast of Wellington.
Hours
| Summer Hours | Winter Hours |
| 9:00 am – 6:00 pm During daylight savings Last Sunday in September – first Sunday in April | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm First Sunday in April – last Sunday in September |
Our café closes at 5 pm in Summer and 4 pm in Winter.
Admission
For prices and tours, please click here.
Where I Stayed
Wellington’s YHA (now Haka House) is conveniently located on the city’s edge near the waterfront. It’s an easy walk to downtown Wellington and its many attractions.
Just a 5-minute stroll, and you’ll find yourself at Te Papa Museum and the waterfront.
They have dorms with en-suites as well as private rooms and views across the harbour.
Facilities
- 5 GB Free Wifi per day
- Solar Powered
- Fully equipped kitchen (with food storage area), Communal Dining and Lounges on the Floors
- Recycling Stations
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Laundry Facilities
- 24 Guest Access
- Games, Communal TV, Reading Room and Free Movies
- A Lift (and Stairs for the Energetic)
- After-Hours Check-in on Request
- Luggage Storage Options
- Bicycle Storage
- Hair Dryers
- Towel Hire
How To Get Here
Haka House is at 292 Wakefield Street near the waterfront.
Conclusion
I hope you have plenty of inspiration on what to do in Wellington on a budget, and take advantage of the many attractions here.
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Links
If you’d like to read more of my blogs about Australia, you can find them at the following links: Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art. Alternatively, if you’re interested in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or Photography, you can click on their respective links.
Travel Resources
- Flights & Accommodation—You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Tripadvisor, and WayAway, which offers 5% cashback.
- Car Hire—In Australia, you can use Apex Car Rentals Australia, Budget Car Rentals Australia, or Avis Car Rentals Australia.
- Camper & RV Rentals—Want a quieter pace exploring Australia and New Zealand in your own accommodation? Jucy Rentals and Star RV Rentals will give you an unforgettable travelling experience.
- Train & Bus Tickets UK & Europe—Use Trainline to plan and book your rail and bus travel in the UK and Europe.
- Travel Insurance is the number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master, and Insubuy provide insurance coverage during your travels.
- Attractions—buy before you leave home with these great sites: Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
- Visa Applications—apply online for your visa requirements with iVisa.
- SIM cards—Try Airalo, the world’s first eSIM store, which solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).
- Power Stations—Bluetti Australia and EcoFlow Australia Power Stations are your choices for sustainable, eco-friendly power on the go or at home.
- For more tips, try my Travel Links and Resources page.
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