The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa dominates the beautiful Wellington Waterfront. Its 36,000 square metres of space spread across six floors contain over 800,000 artworks, cultural artefacts, historical archives, and scientific specimens. The sheer scale and scope of its collections mean you could spend hours there exploring.

This world-first, fully fenced, predator-free urban sanctuary lies on the outskirts of the city centre. A 10-minute drive from Lambton Quay and you’re in the wilderness seeing native birds and wildlife thrive in a safe environment. This conservation project has enabled native bird populations to flourish.

The best way to get your bearings in Wellington is by heading to the top of Mount Victoria. Mt Vic, as the locals call it, rises 196m above the city. The lookout has panoramic views of Wellington City, its harbour, and the hills beyond. It’s part of the Southern Walkway track so it’s possible to get there walking. It’s also part of the network of trails in the Town Belt so there are multiple walks to explore once you get there. Take a picnic with you, settle in on the hillside, and relax while watching ferries and cruise ships sail into the harbour and planes fly in and out of the airport.

With its heritage buildings and bohemian inhabitants, Cuba Street has many treasures to discover. Eclectic shops and a wide selection of hospitality offerings mean you could easily spend a day exploring. Start with a classic café, pop by a delicious takeaway, and indulge at a fine dining establishment. Make sure you pay a visit to Cuba Street’s iconic Bucket Fountain. An unofficial symbol of the capital, the quirky, interactive sculpture has splashed many visitors snapping a picture in front of it.

Ringed with a lush town belt and regenerating forest beyond, Wellington is fortunate to have a huge backyard. The extensive network of trails can cater to walkers, runners, off-road bikers, or horse riders. There’s a trail to suit every adventurer.

There's some great tours that's offered at Weta. Tours Take an exclusive glimpse into the world of movie magic on a guided tour through the Weta creative home. Pricing from $45 (book on the website) Guided Transfer & Tour The team will pick you up from the city centre for a guided return transfer, which includes a 90min on site tour. Pricing from $99 (book on the website)

Join a 2 hour guided walking tour of hidden Māori treasures throughout the city. View archaeological remains of the old pā, wahreponga, and hear the stories of the people who lived there. Discover remnants of Waimapihi Stream and learn about the explorer that founded this land. Minimum of 2 guests, maximum of 30 per tour. Price - $55 per person

Catch the ferry out to one of New Zealand’s most important nature reserves on Kapiti Island! Enjoy guided walking tours or explore the island on your own to experience rare birds native to Aotearoa. Giving locals their nickname, staying overnight on Kapiti Island may give you the opportunity to spot the very rare and nocturnal Kiwi!

XPlor Tours offer a range of small tours that range from Lord of the Rings Tours through to Wine tours. More information on their tours are on their website - feel free to reach out to wilna@eventsmart-conferences.co.nz if you want to book any of the tours.