Top Indoor Tourist Attractions in Wellington

The Best Things To Do and See in New Zealand’s Capital on a Bad Day

May 14, 2009 Amy Goldstein

With heaps of indoor sights and activities, Wellington, New Zealand's compact yet cosmopolitan capital is a great all-weather tourist destination.

Situated on a stunning bay overlooking the Cook Strait, Wellington, New Zealand's seat of government since 1865, when it moved from Auckland, is surprisingly scenic, artistic, and stylish. Unfortunately, its prime waterfront location comes with a high price. The city sits in a natural wind corridor, and ‘Windy Wellington’ averages 173 days a year with powerful gusts (winds over 60km/hr).

Fortunately, Wellington’s upbeat energy does not depend on the weather. Even though nothing beats Wellington on a good day, when the winds blow, rains fall, and temperatures drop, there are plenty of fun and interesting indoor attractions. And thanks to Wellington’s small size, popular sights, shops, and restaurants are never more than a short walk away.

Te Papa Museum

Opened in 1998, the five-story Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Te Papa) is dedicated to the country's cultural heritage and natural environment. Located along the waterfront, the Te Papa, one of the largest national museums in the world, occupies a modern gray and blond building.

Innovative, interactive, and enormous, highlights of the museum include displays on the Maori people, including a marae (communal meeting place); an explanation of the geological forces that shape New Zealand’s landscape; and the Colossal Squid exhibition (through 2011). There are also short-term exhibitions and a lovely Sculpture Terrace. (Cable St., Waterfront; open daily 10am-6pm, Thurs. until 9pm; free entry, fee for short-term exhibitions and activities.) *

Visitor Tour of Parliament

To learn about New Zealand’s political system, take an informative hour-long tour of the three refurbished parliament buildings: the Edwardian neo-classical Parliament House, the Victorian Gothic Parliamentary Library, and the 1970s-style Beehive Building. Located in the historic Thorndon neighborhood, the architecturally superior government complex also contains wonderful examples of New Zealand artwork, such as Malcolm Harrison’s These Are Matters of Pride, which hangs in the Galleria. (Molesworth St., tours depart on the hour from the Beehive Visitor Center; daily, Mon-Fri 10am-3pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12-3pm; free.)

Old St. Paul’s Church

Not far from the parliament buildings is one of the finest examples of early New Zealand architecture and a significant historical landmark: Old St. Paul’s Church. Consecrated in 1866, Wellington’s first Anglican cathedral embodies the Early English Gothic style. It is constructed entirely from native timbers and is adorned with stained glass windows. No longer a parish church, Old St. Paul’s is used primarily for weddings, concerts, and other cultural events. (34 Mulgrave St.; daily 10am-5pm; free, by donation.)

Coffee on Cuba Street

Alleged to have more cafes per capita than New York City, Wellington has a thriving café culture, with many locales proudly claiming to roast their own beans on site. Head to alternative Cuba Street, Wellington’s pedestrian mall and social center, and absorb the local atmosphere over a flat white (steamed milk poured over a single shot of espresso) and a muffin, biscuit or slice. Popular java joints include Fidel’s Café, Olive Café, and Midnight Espresso.

Shopping

From thrift stores to designer boutiques, Wellington has something to offer every shopper. Lambton Quay boasts both the Old Bank Arcade & Chambers and Kirkcaldie & Stains (Wellington’s premier department store open since 1863), making the 'Golden Mile' the spot for upscale shopping. Willis and Manners Streets are lined with national and international brands. Cuba Street is home to all things funky, retro, and secondhand, including clothes, shoes, books, and music.

For additional tourist information, visit the Wellington i-SITE (Civic Square, 101 Wakefield St.; Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm, Tues until 5pm, Sat-Sun 9:30am-4:30pm) or the official website of Wellington.

* All prices listed in New Zealand dollars

** Prices and schedules subject to change

The copyright of the article Top Indoor Tourist Attractions in Wellington in Aus/NZ/Oceania Travel is owned by Amy Goldstein. Permission to republish Top Indoor Tourist Attractions in Wellington in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.