Wellington Scenic Full Day Tour: Private guide, 8 hours

See Wellington's landmarks and memorials with your own guide for the full day

A private, full-day tour of Wellington with a dedicated driver-guide covering Parliament, Old St Paul's Cathedral, the Wellington Cable Car, Mt Victoria Lookout, Weta Cave, and several war memorials, plus lunch and all entry fees. The tour runs about 8 hours and includes hotel or cruise port pickup. Cruise ship passengers follow a slightly reduced itinerary.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. New Zealand Parliament15m
2. Old St. Paul's30m · entry included
3. Wellington Cable Car30m · entry included
4. Mount Victoria Lookout30m
5. Weta Workshop15m

Explore Wellington's top sights

• Walk around Parliament grounds
• Tour Old St Pauls Cathedral
• Ride Wellington Cable Car
• Walk Lady Norwood Rose Garden
• Visit Wellington sign and Kupe statue
• Scenic drive to Mount Victoria Lookout
• Visit Weta Cave
• View Massey memorial
• Lunch at Eastern Bays Cafe
• Visit Wahine ferry memorials
• See Mustafa Kemal Atatürk memorial
• View Wellington wind turbine
• Visit Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• Sample gelato at Zelati Dessert Cafe

The experience

You get a driver-guide to yourself for the entire day: no mixed groups, no schedule built around other travelers. The tour covers roughly eight hours and hits the major sites: Parliament's Beehive and Houses, Old St Paul's Cathedral (a Gothic Revival landmark from 1865 with particular significance for American visitors because of the Marine Corps presence during World War II), the Wellington Cable Car up to Kelburn, and Mt Victoria Lookout for views over the city and harbour. Lunch and a choice of beverage are included, along with entry to Old St Paul's, the Weta Cave, and the Cable Car.

The route also takes in Oriental Bay's scenic drive, the Lady Norwood Rose Garden in the Botanical Gardens, and the Well_ington sign for photos. You'll visit several memorials: the Massey memorial, the Wahine ferry disaster memorial at Seatoun and Breaker Bay (51 people lost in 1968), the Atatürk memorial above Breaker Bay, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. The tour finishes with award-winning gelato at Zelati Dessert Cafe. Pickup and drop-off happen from your CBD hotel, the Railway Station, or cruise port terminal.

Weta Cave lets you see movie props and special effects from film production, though it does not include the behind-the-scenes workshop tour. Your guide will point out the iconic buildings and landmarks as you move through the day, and you'll receive complimentary photos and a tour summary emailed after you finish.

What’s included

• Entry to Old St Paul's Cathedral with a guided tour from a Heritage NZ staff member.
• Wellington Cable Car ride.
• entry to Weta Cave.
• lunch and a choice of beverage.
• pickup and drop-off from your CBD hotel, Railway Station or cruise port terminal.
• complimentary photos and tour summary emailed after the tour.
• personal driver-guide for the full day.
• New Zealand spring water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (19 and older) · Child (5 to 18 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Kaewa Tours Ltd

Is this one for you?Because you have your own guide for the full eight hours, the day moves at your pace and stops at each site as long as you want to linger: ideal if you prefer not to rush through landmarks or if you want to ask questions without holding up a group. Cruise ship passengers should confirm the reduced itinerary fits your port timing before booking.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 18 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Old St Paul's Cathedral and why do American visitors find it meaningful?

Old St Paul's is a Gothic Revival cathedral built between 1865 and 1866, considered one of the world's best examples of the style. During World War II, a large contingent of American Marines were based in Wellington and attended services there. The American Marine Corps flag and a 48-star American flag from that era hang inside the Cathedral. Your guide provides a full history during a guided tour with a Heritage NZ staff member.

How much time do I spend at each major stop on the tour?

The tour runs about eight hours total and moves between multiple sites rather than spending extended time at any single location. You'll ride the Wellington Cable Car, walk through Parliament grounds, tour Old St Paul's Cathedral with a Heritage NZ guide, stroll the Rose Garden, and visit Weta Cave. The pace is set by your guide to fit the full itinerary into the day.

What is Weta Cave and what will I see there?

Weta Cave is a display space where you can see movie props and special effects from film production. The visit does not include access to the behind-the-scenes tour of the Weta Workshop itself, but you'll get a look at the magical world of moviemaking and special effects work.

Is this tour suitable if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?

Yes, the tour includes pickup from the cruise port terminal. Cruise ship passengers follow a slightly reduced itinerary to fit the ship's schedule, so confirm the details when you book to make sure the timing works for your port call.

What memorials and historical sites does the tour include?

The tour visits the Massey memorial (former Prime Minister William Massey and his wife), the Wahine ferry disaster memorials at Seatoun and Breaker Bay (commemorating 51 people lost in 1968), the Atatürk memorial above Breaker Bay (significant for Australian, New Zealand and Turkish visitors marking the ANZAC Gallipoli campaign), and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.

What is included in the price and what do I need to bring?

Entry fees for Old St Paul's Cathedral, Weta Cave, and the Wellington Cable Car are included; lunch and a choice of one beverage are included; pickup and drop-off from your hotel, Railway Station or cruise port are included; and you'll receive complimentary photos and a tour summary by email. Children under 7 must travel in an approved child restraint seat supplied by you. If you don't have one, let the operator know before booking so arrangements can be made.