Gem's Wellington Ways: My Favourite Things To Do In Wellington
Updated: 15 hours ago
…plus a few classics I’d be remiss not to mention.
Over the years I’ve met many wonderful clients visiting Wellington from all over New Zealand and overseas. They often ask me for recommendations, so I thought I’d finally put together a wee guide!
I’ve purposefully only included places in and around Wellington CBD (well, mostly) making them perfect if you’re here for a short time and not a long time.
This isn’t meant to be the definitive guide to Wellington. Rather, think of it as a collection of places and things I genuinely enjoy, along with a few iconic Wellington attractions that have earned their reputation and deserve a mention…even if they’re not part of my regular routine.
Personal Favourites
Crepes A Go Go
Back in my late teens, I used to catch the train from Palmerston North into Wellington for a day of shopping and hanging out at the library, Timezone, and Time Out. No trip was complete without a stop at Crepes a Go Go for a ham and cheese crepe.
To this day - and now a resident of Wellington - I’ve still never ordered anything else off the menu. What can I say? I know what I like. Some things change over the years but my crepe order sure as shit ain’t one of ‘em. No siree.
Once you’ve received your crepe, I recommend taking it elsewhere to enjoy, as the immediate surroundings have quite the dicey vibe...
I usually wander down Lombard Lane and settle on the grassy area opposite the back of the West Plaza Hotel, or find a seat near James Smith Corner.
In fact, the last time I picked up a crepe - and when the accompanying selfie was taken - there was a busker nearby playing Pokarekare Ana on a saxophone. Just a lil’ Wellington magic moment happening in the background as I tucked in to my trusty, tasty ham and cheese crepe.
Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui (Wellington Central Library)
Starting off at the perma-busy ground floor cafe, where I usually get a strawberry and white chocolate milkshake (with soy milk, natch) and/or two cheese rolls. I do love my cheese rolls. Crucially, they're also the cheapest food item on the menu - phew!
Then it’s time to go for a wander around the library, pick a book, and settle into a comfy chair.
I love libraries. They’re for everyone! To shamelessly borrow a slogan from my hometown, Palmerston North City Library has long been described as “the living room of the city”, and I reckon that’s true of all good libraries everywhere. They’re one of the few places left where you’re welcome to exist without any expectation that you’ll spend money.
Wellington Cable Car and Botanic Garden
Touristy? Shit yeah. But sometimes the classics are classics for a reason.
I often wander down here and spend a few hours playing - you know it - Pokemon Go. My first port of call is usually the seats near the Cable Car entrance - perfect for people watching and, of course, spinning the bountiful bevy of Pokestops surrounding me.
It’s also where everyone - and I mean everyone, myself included - takes THAT photo of the Cable Car in action. Seriously, we’ve all got the same picture sitting on our phones somewhere. Here’s my humble offering:
After you’ve taken your picturesque (albeit generic) snap, I suggest making your way down to the Lady Norwood Rose Garden.
Although the Dugald McKenzie Rose Garden in Palmerston North remains my all time favourite, Wellington’s Lady Norwood is a close second. (To be fair, I’ve only ever visited a handful of rose gardens in my life, so perhaps I’m not exactly New Zealand’s foremost authority on the subject.
As always, just humour me.)
Take a stroll around and, depending on the season, marvel at all the gorgeous blooms.
You might also want to do what I do and get sniffing.
Keep your schnoz (is that a word?) peeled for the darker coloured roses - deep reds, pinks and purples - because they seem more likely to be fragrant (reiterating I am not a rose authority) as well as the softer pastel pink varieties for that classic old fashioned rose perfume smell. Temper your expectations - not all of the above colours are guaranteed to smell, so it's definitely a lucky dip kinda deal.
Optimal sniffing season is from November through April.
From there, I usually wander over to The Begonia House - the tropical plants inside make you feel like you’ve been instantly transported several climate zones north.
Note: The Begonia House is currently closed for refurbishment and scheduled to reopen in May 2027. (We’ll see…)
If you’re after a quieter spot, the fern collection and native bush areas are lovely for slowing down and pretending you’ve escaped civilisation for a while. Time to sit, chill, and pull out your burner phone to continue your odyssey through my extensive FAQ page. Or, if you're like me - spin some Pokestops, lob off gifts to your friends, and raid that Shadow Dialga.
The Bucket Fountain
“It’s bouquet”
Uh, no it isn’t, Hyacinth, and you can’t visit Wellington without seeing the bucket fountain. It’s a bit crappy, but it’s ours!
See coloured buckets tilting, tipping, and ultimately dispensing glorious h2o into other buckets, but usually onto onlookers instead. Sometimes bubbles are added by overnight revelers, lending a celestial gravitas to this iconic structure.
Had a few too many overpriced beersies? Give a sweet nod to Elijah Wood and take a piss in the fountain (please don't piss in the fountain) or allow yourself to get splashed by the buckets and play e-coli roulette.
Buckets are stolen on a semi frequent basis.
The Slide, Roseneath Park and Lookout
You can drive to the slide if you wish, but I’ve always hiked up from Oriental Parade via the Mount Victoria Southern Walkway. It’s a reasonably short walk, albeit a steep one, but you’ll be rewarded with one of the best slides in all of Wellington, if not the world!
(I’ve told myself a million times not to exaggerate.)
What, you’re too cool and/or too old to go down a slide? Nonsense. You will go down the fucken slide and you will like it.
It’s long, bendy, and fast. My tip is to remove your shoes and wear smooth trousers if you’re serious about achieving maximum velocity - jeans and the like will create too much friction and will noticeably hamper your descent.
And when you’re done sliding, sit down at the nearby seat and be treated to gorgeous views over Oriental Bay and the harbour.
Waterfront Walk
I like to kick things off at the northern end of the waterfront near the tripod crane. From there, I wander past Queen’s Wharf and Frank Kitts Park, before taking a break at the Whairepo Lagoon. This is my favourite waterfront spot, and the perfect place to sit for a bit and chill before continuing on.
I then walk past the Hikitea Floating Steam Crane (the only self propelled steam powered floating crane of her class still operating in the world), through Odlins Plaza, past the boats at Chaffers Marina, and all the way around to Clyde Quay. It’s such a great way to take in the harbour.
Oriental Bay
One of my favourite ways to spend a morning. I’ll grab a hot chocolate from the cafe at Freyberg Beach and find a spot on the rocky steps to sit and look out at the water.
I’ll then walk the path out to Point Jerningham, where replacing the first "N" in Jerningham with a "K" results in chuckles because maturity is overrated.
I’d Have Tomatoes Thrown At Me If I Didn't Mention These…
These aren’t necessarily places I visit super frequently, and in some instances ever (whoa!), but they’ve earned their reputation. Whenever someone asks me what they should see while they’re in Wellington, these are always easy recommendations.
Zealandia
Tucked away in Karori, Zealandia offers a chance to see native birds and wildlife thriving in a predator free sanctuary. November through April is probably the nicest time to visit in my opinion, as some of the tracks can get a bit muddy during the winter months.
Wētā Workshop
I’m not going to pretend I pop into Wētā Workshop every other weekend. In fact, I’ve never visited. Not even once. Ooo-er.
Truthfully, the fantasy movie genre and movie props have never really been my thing. But whenever I chat with holidaymaker clients about what they’ve been up to, Wētā Workshop gets mentioned over and over again, so I’d feel some kind of way by leaving it off this list just because I haven’t personally wandered through its doors.
Consider this one less a personal recommendation and more a tip from the many happy visitors who’ve sung its praises to me over the years.
Te Papa
It’s hard not to appreciate how good our national museum is. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or just escaping the goddamn wind outside, Te Papa is one of those places that everyone should experience at least once.
The Beehive
Whatever your political persuasion, it’s hard to deny that The Beehive is one of Wellington’s most recognisable landmarks. Where else in the world can you say “I visited a giant concrete beehive”?
Mount Victoria Lookout
Wellington on a good day (those 3 days out of 365 are so cherished!) is a truly stunning place, and the views of the harbour and the city from Mount Victoria are picturesque as.
Now, you can drive up to the lookout, which I have done before (as a passenger, mind you). Wellington roads and I have a complicated relationship…the drive up to Mount Vic brings out the basket case in me.
Twists ‘n turns, y’see. Narrow roads. Hairpin bends. And there’s always some cunt coming the other way faster than they need to. Involuntary screams and dramatic gripping of the passenger seat abound. Yeah, it’s an experience all right.
Mind you, the actual driver is always chill as, so it’s probably just a “me thing”.
If you’re feeling energetic, you can also walk up. I tend to walk up via a street off of Oriental Parade, or via Marjoribanks Street. I don’t go often - only a handful of times a year.
Still, Mount Victoria lookout is one of those classic Wellington experiences that’s absolutely worth doing - whether you’re chill with driving the winding road or up for tackling the hill on foot, the reward at the top is one of the best views in the city.
And there you have it - some of my favourite Wellington spots along with a few classics that I would've been completely and utterly remiss not to have mentioned.
There are plenty more I could have included, but hopefully this wee guide gives you a few ideas, whether you're a local looking for something different or visiting the capital for the first time.
Happy exploring!
Gem xoxxx
