Full Day Wellington Tour: Te Papa, Cable Car & Mount Victoria
Six top sights in one day, from the harbor to the Beehive
A full-day guided tour of Wellington starting with hotel or cruise ship pickup and ending at a historic church. You ride the Cable Car up to Kelburn, walk through Parliament's grounds and the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, tour Te Papa (the national museum), and stop at the Weta film studio, Lyall Bay beach, and Mount Victoria for 360-degree views of the city and harbor.
Step-by-step itinerary
Full day Wellington city tour
- Collect guests from hotel or port
- Visit Mount Victoria lookout for views
- Drive past Lyall Bay beach
- Stop at Breaker Bay to commemorate Wahine
- Visit Weta Cave and shop
- Drive by Wellywood film studios
- Drive around Oriental Bay and see Carter Fountain
- Lunch break at suitable location
- Self-guided tour at Te Papa Museum
- Ride Wellington Cable Car to Kelburn
- Visit Lady Norwood Rose Garden
- Tour New Zealand Parliament grounds and Beehive
- Visit Old St Paul's church
- CentrePort Wellington Entry included 1h 15m
- Wellington Cable Car Entry included 30m
- New Zealand Parliament 15m
- Old St. Paul's Entry included 10m
What’s included
- Guided tour with live English-speaking guide.
- hotel or cruise ship pickup.
- Cable Car ride to Kelburn.
- entry to Te Papa for a self-guided tour.
Times
- Monday and Thursday 09:00 10:00
- Tuesday 09:00 14:00
- Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 09:00
- Sunday 09:00 10:30
Before you book
Operated by Ka Rawe Tours
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
The day starts at Mount Victoria lookout, where you get 360-degree views of Wellington's central business district, harbor, and the ocean to the south. From there the route heads south along the coast through Lyall Bay, Wellington's main surf beach, then turns toward Breaker Bay to reflect on the Wahine maritime disaster of 1968. You'll stop at the Weta Cave, where the Lord of the Rings and other major films were made, to browse the shop and take photos with the Cave Trolls. The guide points out the Wellington sign that Hollywood later copied for its own use.
After lunch, you ride the Cable Car up to Kelburn at a leisurely pace and visit the Cable Car museum at the top. Back in the city, you walk through Parliament's grounds to see the Beehive (the Executive Wing), the rose and camellia gardens, and commemorative statues, then head to the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, which won the World Federation of Rose Societies' Garden of Excellence award in 2015 and holds over 110 unique flower varieties. Te Papa, the national museum voted in the top 1% of museums worldwide, is included as a self-guided tour. The day ends at Old St. Paul's, a historic church built from New Zealand native timbers with stained glass windows and an interior likened to an upturned Elizabethan galleon.
The guide stops often for photos and to let you step out and breathe the fresh air. Pickup is included from your hotel, the iSite visitor center, or directly from the cruise ship port if you're arriving by sea.
Is this one for you?Pick this if you want a guide narrating Wellington's highlights (from Mount Victoria's views to Te Papa's collections) rather than navigating and reading plaques solo.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.
What is Te Papa and why is it worth the time on a tour?
Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand's national museum, located in Wellington and ranked in the top 1% of museums in the world. Your tour includes entry and time for a self-guided walk through its collections, so you see the major exhibits without arranging separate tickets or transport.
Can I get picked up directly from the cruise ship if I'm arriving by sea?
Yes. The tour operator is accredited to collect passengers directly from the port as they walk off the ship, so you don't need to take a shuttle bus or travel into the city first.
What is the Weta Cave and what do you actually do there?
Weta is a Wellington-based film and special effects company famous for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. At the Weta Cave you browse a small museum of memorabilia, purchase souvenirs, and take photos with the Cave Trolls on display.
How much walking is involved in this tour?
You step out of the vehicle often for photos and short stops at each site, but most of the day is spent riding in the vehicle or on the Cable Car. The walks at Parliament grounds, the Rose Garden, and Old St. Paul's are brief and leisurely.
Is lunch included in the tour price?
Lunch is not included. The guide will find a suitable location for a break as time permits during the day, and you'll have time to eat on your own.
Full Day Wellington Tour: Te Papa, Cable Car & Mount Victoria
6h · EN
from NZ$ 295 per person
≈ US$ 169 in your currency
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