Wellington tours, things to do and tickets

Step behind-the-scenes Wētā Workshop has been making cool stuff for film and TV since 1987. Our crew has brought to life beloved characters and epic special effects for iconic blockbusters like The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. ​​​ Step into Wētā Workshop Experiences and explore a world of creativity, physical effects and movie magic on a guided tour through our creative home base. You'll learn about the making of props, creatures and costumes created for your favourite films. Get hands-on with unique pieces from our many departments, catch our artists at work and discover how we’ve grown into the award-winning workshop you see today.

Must See and Fun Tour of Wellington Where your Wellington adventure begins … Features include: • Downtown entertainment area of Wellington • Mt Victoria • Rugged Coastline • Weta Cave • Southern Hemisphere’s largest roundabout • War Memorial park • Cable Car • Lady Norwood Rose Gardens • Southern Hemisphere’s largest wooden building • Parliament Grounds • Old St Paul’s Cathedral

Kapiti Island is one of New Zealand’s best-kept nature sanctuaries and a pest and predator-free haven for native birds. Take the ferry from Paraparaumu Beach to Waiorua at the northern end of the island. You'll be met by your local guide who tell you the unique history and stories of this place and will walk with you to help you identify the flora & fauna all around you. You'll have time for independent walking before enjoying a delicious buffet lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon you'll head back to the mainland by ferry.

Enjoy a full day, all-inclusive adventure in Wellington, the home of middle-Earth. Visit some amazing locations from the Lord of the Rings movies, enjoy a delicious lunch and visit the famous Weta Workshop, where the films were created. We are Wellington's original Lord of the Rings tour and have been operating since 2002. Formerly Rover Rings Tours [before Covid], Welly Rings Tours is proud to show you Wellington as Middle-earth. Our fans-turned-guides will share with you fascinating stories of the making of these movies that you likely won't hear anywhere else - mainly because some of our guides were actually there!

Enjoy a full-day adventure in Wellington, home of Middle-Earth. Visit locations from the Lord of the Rings films and the famous Weta Workshop where the films were created, and savor a delicious lunch.

Just off the Kapiti Coast is Kapiti Island, a bird and nature sanctuary free of predators and pests. This overnight experience offers the one-of-a-kind opportunity to stay overnight on the otherwise uninhabited island. Try one of the island’s many walking tracks and spot native birds in the canopy. Later, enjoy drinks & nibbles followed by a chef-prepared meal, then head out for a guided night walk to see & hear the island come alive in a different way.

New Zealand's longest running passenger service, the Northern Explorer is a long distance scenic train service running between Wellington and Auckland.  Experience the extremes of New Zealand's scenery, from the fertile farmlands of Waikato to the volcanic peaks of the Central Plateau and the sparkling Kapiti Coast.

Experience a 5.5-hour guided tour to Martinborough, one of New Zealand's premier wine regions. Departing from Wellington, the tour follows the Hutt River through the Hutt Valley and over the Remutaka Ranges, with a sightseeing stop at the Summit (555m). In the Wairarapa valley, the winery town of Martinborough awaits, where you'll visit THREE of the region’s top wineries to enjoy their Cellar Door experiences and sample world-class wines. Your driver guide will provide narration and share local knowledge about this stunningly beautiful area throughout the journey. Please note that the wineries visited are subject to availability and may differ from those advertised.

For over 60 years, Interislander has been sharing the stunning scenery of Wellington Harbour and the breath-taking Marlborough Sounds with over 800,000 passengers every year. The voyage between the North and South Islands of Aotearoa New Zealand has been described as one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world and is a ‘must do’ experience for everyone exploring our stunning country. The three-hour journey gives plenty of time to soak in the scenery and enjoy the fresh, local food and beverages we pride ourselves in. The spacious and comfortable Interislander ferries run 7 days a week, all year round. Book your tickets now!

A 5 hour guided tour of the Martinborough wine region. Visit three of the regions best wineries and enjoy their Cellar Door experiences as you sample the world class products available.

Descend into the forested slopes of the Outer Shire, where our expert guides will entertain you with stories of how the Lord of the Rings movies were brought to life. Follow in the footsteps of Frodo and the Hobbits as they began their quest to destroy the One Ring. You will see the "shortcut to mushrooms", "get off the road" and hide from the Black Riders before fleeing to the Buckleberry Ferry. Recreate some of the most famous scenes from The Fellowship of the Ring and make your social media streams go crazy! Then delve into the heart of Wellywood and visit the Weta Workshop, who created all the props, armour, weapons, costumes, miniatures and prosthetics for the Middle-earth movies. Learn the secrets of movie magic on a behind-the-scenes tour by a Weta employee, who will explain the creative process behind bringing these films to life. You'll also have chance to take photos with various characters and weapons, as well as treating yourself to a souvenir or two, if desired.

A unique and exciting exploration to Wellington’s secret coast. With exclusive access through private farmland, we'll take you on a journey to discover Wellington's natural wonders in an area unknown even to many locals. Only 20km from the city, this area will feel like another world. Travelling in new 4WD Mercedes vehicles, you'll see a working farm with sheep, cows and goats, while enjoying stunning views of the Cook Strait, South Island and Kaikoura Ranges. Once down to sea-level, we’ll meet some much-loved locals – New Zealand Fur Seals. Enjoy morning/afternoon tea while observing these amazing animals as they sunbathe, play, and swim while learning about their history, ecology, and conservation from your friendly and knowledgeable guide. The Seal Coast Safari is a must-do for anyone who loves nature, wildlife, and adventure. Join us and discover one of Wellington’s best-kept secrets! Route is along rough terrain requiring 4WD. Not suitable for people with neck or back injuries.

We make our way up to the Mount Victoria Lookout to see spectacular views of Wellington’s city by driving up Courtenay Place, past the Embassy Picture Theatre which held two world premieres; The last LOTR instalment The Return of the King (2003), and the first Hobbit movie An Unexpected Journey (2012).

Then it is off to Hobbiton Woods where the filming of his epic trilogy began. Home of the Shortcut to Mushrooms scene; Sam & Frodo’s Second Breakfast; the location where the Hobbits hid from the Black Rider (“Get off the Road!”); the Race to the Buckleberry Ferry scene; and King Théoden’s Dunharrow Encampment.

Now we are off to the Weta Workshop in Miramar. for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour where you see how props plus weaponry are made and probably maybe meet artists at work.

At the Weta Cave see and have photos with Gollum, Lurtz the Uruk-hai, Bilbo’s three Trolls.

The tour concludes with a drive around the bays back to the city

Discover the best of New Zealand’s premier museum, Te Papa, with a guided tour that provides an excellent introduction to this must-see attraction in Wellington.

Beginning over one hundred million years ago, join your guide on a journey through New Zealand's rich history and cultures. Hear stories of our adaptive wildlife, the resilience of the Māori people, and artistic interpretations of life in the South Pacific.

A 5 hour guided highlights tour of coastal Wellington. Tour highlights include spectacular views at the Mount Victoria Lookout, a scenic coastal drive from Oriental Parade around the Miramar Peninsula as well as a visit to the Weta Workshop Weta Cave with exclusive documentary viewing. Enjoy the views of the rugged south Wellington Coast as far as Te Kopahou Reserve and the Brooklyn Wind Turbine before optional central city stops including the Cable Car, Botanical Gardens and Lady Norwood Rose garden and Old St Paul's Cathedral. Lunch (a main and a drink) at a seaside cafe is included.

Enter the world of Wētā Workshop with the Wētā Workshop Experience + Guided Transfers, a guided round trip by Wētā Workshop! You’ll enjoy return transfers from Wellington i-SITE to Wētā Workshop, where you’ll explore our two unique tour spaces.

Your driver will highlight iconic film sites during your journey to the Wētā Cave (a cavern of creativity in it's own right!) On arrival, a Wētā Workshop crew member will show you incredible props and costumes from films like The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia.

Choose a Morning or Afternoon Departure. From the centrally located Waterfront to the quiet bays and panoramic lookouts, you’ll be enthralled from start to finish. These quality electric bikes are easy to use and suitable for any level of fitness. If you can ride a bike, you can ride an eBike! Your guide will keep you safe with helmets provided and full riding instruction. The tour is lighthearted, fun and engaging with the focus on riding and finding the best view points. You’ll get a local’s perspective on the culture and history of our vibrant city and surrounding bays. This tour mainly rides around the Wellington's stunning bays, with minimal city riding.

The ultimate way to experience New Zealand's rare and amazing wildlife! Enjoy an engaging and informative walk through the picturesque eco-sanctuary on this 2-hour small group tour and witness the native wildlife that lives on the mainland. Soak up the beautiful scenery while learning more about New Zealand’s unique ecological history. Experience firsthand why Zealandia has been named the top tourism operation in Aotearoa New Zealand 2023, winning the prestigious Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award.

Enjoy a 5 hour return guided tour over the spectacular Remutaka Ranges to the Wairarapa region, home of world class culinary producers.
Enjoy a stop at C'est Cheese factory and cafe where the tour will include a tasting platter of locally made cheeses. Continue up State Highway 2 to Greytown for a tasting of some of chocolatier Murray Langham's amazing chocolate range at Schoc Chocolates. Our third stop is in the world class wine region of Martinborough famous for it's pinot noir. Enjoy a tasting flight at one of the finest local wineries.
The final stop is at the Martinborough Memorial Square in the centre of town and allows for guests to tailor the tour for their own tastes. Guests may choose one final tasting stop from Olivo extra virgin and infused olive oils, Martinborough craft brewery paddles, a local vineyard or cafe lunch, The Martinborough Sweet Shop or the Wine Bank. This final stop is seasonal, subject to availability and at the guests expense.

Your expert local guide will narrate as you take a scenic drive over the Remutaka Ranges, where you will enjoy wine tastings at a selection of Martinborough wineries, on this full day tour. Lunch will be served at a vineyard restaurant before the tour heads to the south Wairarapa coast. Visit the rugged coastal village of Ngawi and the North Island's largest permanent seal colony as well as a drive by of the famed “Paths of the Dead” from Lord of the Rings, the Putangirua Pinnacles. Finally climb the steps to the Cape Palliser Lighthouse for epic sweeping sea views before heading to the Lake Ferry Hotel on the edge of Lake Onoke for dinner. This 10 hour tour takes in a variety of stunning landscapes in the greater Wellington region.