Top 10 things to do on a day trip to Wellington
Interislander is bringing back Day Return tickets for just $99 Adult and $49 Child return for April - jump on the ferry and make the most of a day in Wellington. Use promo code DT2025 when you book.


April is a great month for getting out and about. School holidays, Easter and Anzac Day means plenty of day trip opportunities. Haven't visited Wellington for a while? Catch Armageddon 2025 (18-20 April) at the Stadium; Disney: the magic of animation at Tākina; or, Vivienne Westwood & Jewelry at Te Papa. Go on. What are you waiting for! Jump on the Interislander Cook Strait ferry and head to Wellington!
With three ferries crossing Cook Strait twice a day you can spend the afternoon in Welly. Here are some of our favourite things to do. We should know. We have been carrying Kiwis across Cook Strait for over 60 years!
Cruising across to Wellington
Hop on the 7:30am Kaiarahi in Picton and cruise into the stunning Marlborough Sounds for an hour as you head to Tory Channel and Cook Strait.
First priority, breakfast. Both ships have a choice of cafes with a view and premium lounges - Big Breakfast, Eggs Benedict, or pastries - with a freshly brewed flat white, latte or espresso.
Sail past baches and farms that are only accessible by sea. Spot salmon and mussel farms as well as the remnants of New Zealand's whaling industry. This is the ideal time to keep an eye out for dolphins.
A hard left turn and we are in Cook Strait. Cruise along Wellington's rugged south coastline and spot the West Wind windmills. Head into Wellington Harbour and get the best views of Wellington City.
There is no doubt that this is one of the most scenic ferry journeys in the world! See more highlights of a Cook Strait crossing.
Catch the free shuttle bus from the Interislander terminal to Wellington Railway Station. The shuttle departs 70 minutes prior to your return sailing from Platform 10.



1. Stroll along the waterfront


Begin at Wellington Railway Station and head for the waterfront. If you're travelling with young children it will be hard to get them past the newly re-opened Frank Kitts park with the lighthouse slide and animal friends. Keep an eye out for the art installations on the way - the Len Lye Water Whirler, Solace in the Wind and the Writer's Walk to name a few. Keep an eye out for our favourite, the kina. You can also spot wildlife - seals often hang out on the rocks and rays in the Whairepo Lagoon.
2. Wellington Museum
People often overlook the Wellington Museum on their way to Te Papa but it is well worth a visit. It is dedicated to the history of Wellington, and does have a nautical flavour, having started life as Wellington Harbour Board Maritime Museum in 1972. It is housed in the Bond Store where goods arriving by ship were held until the customs duty was paid. It is one of Wellington's oldest remaining buildings, built in 1892. You can even see the old Harbour Board offices. Museum staff run regular tours, including the Cup of Curiosity tour where you can find out stories of odd treasures in their collection.




Become the "i" in Wellington
Wellington's favourite Instagram moment.
3. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
You can easily spend a day in Te Papa - starting with Quake Breaker, the base isolators underneath the museum that protect taonga (the museum's treasures) from the odd earthquake, to Rongomaraeroa, the marae or meeting place on Level 4. Don't miss Gallipoli: the scale of our war, WWI Gallipoli campaign through the eyes of eight ordinary New Zealanders. Te Taiao tells the stories of New Zealand's unique wildlife such as kiwi and moa, and our active geological landscape. There is a special exhibition "Vivienne Westwood & Jewelery" on until 27th April.


4. Parliament & the Beehive


Turn right from Wellington Railway Station, walk a couple of streets over and you will see the Beehive, reminding you that Wellington is the capital city. Four buildings house New Zealand's Parliament - Parliament House, the Parliamentary Library, the Beehive (also known as the Executive Wing), and Bowen House. These buildings are the centre of our democracy. You can do a self guided tour of the grounds, otherwise parliamentary tours are free and run seven days at week.
5. Ride the Cable Car
Walk along Lambton Quay from the Beehive, maybe a spot of shopping on the way. Keep an eye out for the Cable Car sign pointing to Cable Car Lane. If there is a cruise ship in town you won't miss it - look for the queue along the road. Since 1902 the cable car has been carrying Wellingtonians up the steep incline to Kelburn and the Botanic Gardens. You won't have to wait long - cars run every 10 minutes. There are stunning views of Wellington harbour and CBD from the top.
There is currently a display of props and costumes from Wēta Workshop and the Lord of the Rings in the Kelburn station, making the 25th anniversary of the movie's release.


6. Smell the roses in the Botanic Gardens


If you have caught the Cable Car up to Kelburn you may as well smell the roses in the Botanic Gardens. We are so lucky to have 25 hectares of green space in the middle of our beautiful capital city. These gardens have been here even long than the Cable Car - they were first laid out in 1869! Visit the Begonia House, particularly on windy days. Stop for a coffee at Picnic Cafe - their smashed avocado with beetroot hummus on multigrain comes highly recommended.
If you have time walk down the hill through the Bolton Street Cemetery, one of New Zealand's oldest graveyards. It is also part of the Botanic Gardens and has heritage roses planted throughout.
7. Have lunch in Cuba Street
Cuba Street is Wellington's funky cultural heart - the inspiration for Cupa Dupa, the rainbow crossing, art galleries and an assortment of recycled fashion boutiques. There is definitely much more than the Bucket Fountain to encourage a visit. The restaurants and cafes are so good they have their own cookbook - Florditas, Midnight Espresso, Loretta, Logan Brown (for a treat), Noble Rot (for wine connoisseurs), Lola Rouge in the eclectic Naumi Hotel, Scopa for pizza, Ombra for a Venetian cafe vibe, Kisa for middle eastern, Aunty Mena's for vegetarian Asian, Rogue & Vagabond for craft beer, Kazu Sushi (they still have a train), and so many more. Cuba Street has something for everyone.


8. Foodie highlights


If you need saffron, vanilla beans, Ottolenghi's latest spice range, or 1/2 kilogram of smoked salmon you need to head to Wellington's foodie paradise, Moore Wilson's. For over 100 years this family owned stored has been supplying Wellington homes and restaurants with great quality produce, fresh bread, coffee, cheeses and bulk bags of staples. Not to mention a vast selection of wine, spirits and beers.
Head down one of the laneways off Dixon Street and Courtenay Place and you will find more treats. Wellington Chocolate Factory offers chocolate experiences and their latest flavour is Banana, Cardamon and Coconut. Right next door try the salted caramel cookie from Leed's Street Bakery. Down on the waterfront is Mojo's HQ and Roastery for a coffee fix.
9. Keep the kids entertained
If you haven't been to Wellington for a while, you may not know about Willis Lane. This subterranean world is perfect if Welly weather isn't! It's on the corner of Lambton Quay and Willis Street and get the escalators down. There are a multitude of tasty food stalls - Duck Island Ice Cream, Foo Dumplings, Bambina Pizza, Angry Ramen and many more. There is also Holey Moley - underground mini golf and arcade games.
Nōku te Ao Capital E is on the waterfront next to the Event Centre on Queens Wharf. There is an every changing programme to keep the younger kids busy and entertained. Topsy Turvy is the newest interactive attraction with spinner walls, illusions and surprises.


10. Events & Exhibitions


There is always something going on in Wellington. Over April, there is Disney: the magic of animation at Tākina; Vivienne Westwood & Jewelry at Te Papa; and, Armageddon at Sky Stadium (18th - 20th April).
Especially for the school holidays there is Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show at TSB Arena (19 - 20 April) - you can make the 1:00pm session on the Interislander. For a girlies day out, the Women's Lifestyle Expo is also at TSB Arena (12 - 13 April).
Go Ahead! Book your day return to Wellington
With so much to see and do, Wellington is the ideal destination for a day trip from Picton. Book your Interislander ferry tickets in advance and get ready to explore our coolest little capital city.
Ready for your Wellington adventure? Book your Interislander Day Return ticket today and experience the best of Wellington on a seamless day return trip across the Cook Strait!
Remember to use the promo code DT2025 to receive your special price.