Want to know how to see the best of Wellington in 48 hours? Recently I had a few days off work and very impulsively booked flights to Wellington for a weekend getaway. Since I managed to pack so much into a short time I thought I would compile all my favourite places into one handy guide for any future Wellington explorers.
Read on for my tips to make sure you see the best of Wellington in 48 hours (or really, however many hours you’re there for).
The Best of Wellington in 48 Hours!
Table of Contents
Getting Around
Firstly, you will want to know how to get around. Wellington is a very walk-able city, especially if you’re staying centrally. If not, never fear because the bus service is fantastic – I caught the bus each day to and from the city centre (I was staying in Brooklyn and wasn’t interested in walking up the GIANT hill to get there). You can either pay on the bus directly with cash or grab a Snapper Card for a cheaper fare. If you’re using the Snapper card, make sure you remember to tap on and off the bus to avoid paying more than you need to.
If you’re wanting to get between the airport and city centre then you can also jump on a bus. Running in either direction every 10 minutes, the cost of a one way trip is only $9 which you can pay when you get on the bus.
Taxis and Uber are also available in Wellington if you have a little more cash to spare.
Soak up some culture and history
Despite only having a weekend to explore Wellington I managed to fit in two museum visits and a third attempted visit*. If this is your first time in Wellington then Te Papa is probably at the top of your list (and rightly so) – you will need to give yourself a day if you plan to explore every last inch of Te Papa. I’ve been a couple of times so on this trip I only spent a few hours checking out the Gallopoli exhibition. Aside from the occasional special exhibit most of Te Papa is free, great for the budget savvy traveller!
I also went to the The Great War Exhibition at the Wellington War Memorial, on the recommendation of my Dad. While not free like Te Papa (adult cost, $15), it was completely amazing and worth the money. There is less of a crowd than the Gallopoli exhibition at Te Papa allowing visitors to take their time without feeling rushed.
I would highly recommend both exhibitions, they were equally fascinating, insightful and moving. If you’re a history buff you might like to visit both like myself, otherwise I think you would be just as happy visiting one or the other.
*I also tried to visit the City Gallery but sadly it was closed until early March for refurbishment – I guess a trip back to Wellington will be needed later in the year as I am told it’s fantastic!
Take a trip out to Petone
I was lucky enough to be staying with my wonderful cousin on this trip, who is a long-time Wellington local and has a car for exploring slightly further afield. We went on a morning trip out to Petone to check out Comes and Goes for brunch. Honestly, there probably isn’t enough I could say about this place! The food was out of this world (do yourself a favour and get the french toast), the coffee was top notch and the interior wouldn’t look amiss in a Scandinavian design magazine.
This spot alone would be worth the visit to Petone, but I was surprised (sorry residents of Petone) to learn that there was actually more to see. Wandering up the main street there’s an array of boutique shops to browse and if you want to drive even further out (aka, another 5 minute drive) you can pick yourself up a piece of Zany Zeus chocolate cake – which Scarlett Johansson rated as the best in the world. They also make cheese and other tasty looking goodies but the chocolate cake is all I went for, and it was pretty darn good!
Get a workout
If all that french toast and chocolate is making you feel the need for a little exercise, you won’t be short of options in Wellington. I managed to fit in a surprising amount of strenuous walking, I think that means all the food was justified… right? The most popular walk near Wellington city is the Mount Victoria lookout. You can start directly from the city centre, with the full loop taking about 2.5 hours. The views of Wellington from the top are stunning, although it can be very busy with other tourists and locals.
I was also treated to a walk up Mount Kaukau, which I’m told the locals prefer over Mt Victoria. I’ll tell you now, this walk isn’t an easy stroll – it’s fairly steep most of the way up but the views though are totally worth the huffing and puffing to reach the top! It’s hard to believe such a beautiful and scenic walk is just a short drive from the city centre. If you only had time for one this would be my choice.
Lastly, the Brooklyn Wind Turbine. This is a great walk up to some giant wind turbines (which are actually kinda scary up close) right at the top of Brooklyn. You can either start in the city or drive/catch the bus up to Brooklyn for a slightly shorter option. The walking track is relatively quiet and you will have some amazing views of Wellington and beyond along the way.
Eat & Drink
Let’s be real, this is what you’re all here for and thankfully you will never find yourself short of places to eat or drink in Wellington. I think there are more great eateries, cafes and bars than people! You might know that food and coffee are always a top priority on my travel itinerary, so it’s no surprise these two ‘activities’ took up a good portion of my time in Wellington.
My Top Picks:
Mr Go’s – Despite a relatively short trip to Wellington, Mr Gos somehow received two visits from me (I’m greedy and needed to try everything on the menu). Serving up dishes from the streets of Asia, with a modern twist, this was absolutely a highlight of my trip! No lies, I even considered moving to Wellington solely so I could eat here more often.
Customs by Supreme – Customs was at the top of my Wellington cafe list and it didn’t disappoint. The coffee was exceptional and the space was just as good – well designed, small but cosy with a decent amount of seating. I’ve heard great things about the doughnuts they serve by Little Dough Co, but sadly there weren’t any available on my visit (I guess most people don’t want doughnuts at 8am on a Tuesday? Except me).
Milk Crate – Definitely one of my favourites in the city. Super friendly staff, great coffee + food and there is a dreamy shop inside the cafe which you can browse after your coffee.
Comes and Goes – You know you want that french toast. Go on, treat yourself. Make sure you get a coffee while your there – can’t go wrong with Rocket coffee and they were trained by one of the bests!
Zany Zeus – Again with the chocolate cake! But seriously it was good. If you can get yourself out to Petone you won’t regret it. They also make amazing handmade cheeses, but as I was flying back to Hamilton I didn’t want to risk warm, stinky cheese in my bag.
Cin Cin Italia – Great Italian place on Cuba Street.
Noble – Wine Bar – I don’t really drink wine but I was with two wine drinkers who rated Noble highly. I was kept happy with a fantastic gin and tonic. The drinks are on the pricer side, but it’s a great place to stop in for a drink on a special occasion or if you’re feeling a little fancy.
Moore Wilson’s – You need to visit this boutique supermarket! It is the closest to being in Europe I’ve felt since moving back to NZ. Such an amazing selection of wonderful food, I seriously could’ve spent all day here. If only something similar would open in Hamilton…
Treat yourself
I actually didn’t do much shopping in Wellington at all, but the places I did visit are absolutely worth a mention! Wellington is full of boutique, locally owned stores stocking goodies you won’t be able to find everywhere else. A few of my favourites are below:
Madame Fancy Pants – This is a shop I have long dreamt of visiting after scouring their online store, and it was just as wonderful in person!
Wellington Apothecary – Beautiful range of skincare, oils, teas and other lovely items at an affordable price.
Eva Street / Leeds Street Laneway – Hip little lane filled with cafes, bakeries, peanut butter sellers, a chocolate factory and more!
Precinct 35 – Lovely little concept store and gallery located at the back of Milk Crate. Stocked with beautifully designed goods that you definitely won’t find in your run of the mill shop. While most things were a little out of my price range on this trip,
Thanks for the good times Wellington, I’ll be back.
Pin it for later!
Leave a Reply