Wellington Historic Sites
Historic Sites in Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington Historic Sites
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Historic Sites • Government Buildings
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Temporarily closed
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Karori
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Historic Sites
Temporarily closed
Historic Sites • Historic Walking Areas
Northland
Historic Sites
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Biking Trails
Historic Sites
Historic Sites • Beaches
Historic Sites • Religious Sites
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Karori
What travellers are saying
- Scott M12 contributionsHad a bit of fun on the cable car and in the museum.
It's a quick way to get up and down the hill. There's a cafe at the top and a perfume shop as well.Written 15 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Lisa HBrisbane, Australia652 contributionsA nice peaceful way to spend an hour. Some unique pieces of art history either donated to commemorate a loved one or to remember visitors to Wellington like the US Marine Corp.
It’s free to enter but donations are welcome.Written 30 June 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Christopher G1 contributionVisiting the Government House in Wellington, New Zealand was an absolute delight! From the moment I stepped onto the grounds, I was greeted with stunning architecture and beautifully manicured gardens. The guided tour provided fascinating insights into the country's history and governance, and I was impressed by the professionalism and friendliness of the staff. Exploring the elegant rooms and learning about the important role the Government House plays in New Zealand's democratic process was both educational and inspiring. The grounds were simply breathtaking, making it a truly memorable experience. I highly recommend a visit to anyone interested in history, politics, or simply appreciating the beauty of New Zealand's capital city. If you get the opportunity to tour you should definitely do it!Written 13 February 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TWal1Canberra, Australia2,944 contributionsThe Wellington Railway Station is centrally located and close to the waterfront. This is not surprising as this is the flattest part of the city. The building is a grand structure and a reminder of how impressive these buildings were when they were first constructed. The other interesting feature is the statue of Gandhi as you approach the Station’s forecourt.Written 25 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Neil BAuckland, New Zealand1,470 contributionsAn important piece of NZ history. Carefully researched restoration of Mansfield's birthplace with an interesting outline of her life. A nice combination illustrating both the way of living for middle-class NZers around 1900 and the life of the famous author. We'll worth a look.
There's a great 'eye spy' activity sheet for the little ones, that's actually good fun for the grownups!Written 24 June 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - onitadaWellington, New Zealand277 contributionsMy first job was working for the then Education Department in the Old Government Building, although the rooms I worked in are not accessible to the public today, as the oldest wooden building in the southern hemisphere is shared with the Victoria University Law School. I chose to visit after the cruise ship season had ended, which meant fewer crowds. There are several rooms which offer different perspectives and times in New Zealand history. On the first floor are the old cabinet rooms, where history was made. It is worth a visit, and it is free.Written 13 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Elyse38 contributionsI first experienced Wrights Hill Fortress when I was about 10yrs old. As most locals do I take for granted what's available in my own backyard only returning to Wrights Hill recently. I was very generously offered a tour inside the fortress due to a cancellation by another group. Wrights Hills is a fascinating set of structures with some surprising historical artefacts I've not seen anywhere else. I highly recommend attending one of their open days or if there is a group of you, booking in a private viewing.Written 18 March 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Peter CWellington, New Zealand610 contributionsPremier House is the official residence of the Prime Minister of New Zealand. It sits on 1.5ha of land. We visited during an Open Day celebrating 150 years of Wellington becoming the capital city of New Zealand and we were able to visit all rooms except those occupied by the Prime Minister. The house has an "interesting" history having been cobbled together from four separate buildings. The house has been used a dental clinic, child-care entre and the setting for a variety of social functions. There is some nice furniture and the garden is very good. Premier House does not have magnificence of many other "older" Wellington buildings.Written 27 July 2015This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Janine BBrisbane, Australia48 contributionsThis image is a photo of the chapel built by the side of Sexton's Cottage. It is a lovely example of the style used 100yrs ago. It is nestled on the fringe of the Wellington Botanical Gardens and well worth a stroll by. The cottage is very cute and makes a great photo too.Written 23 April 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- FMW13Irvine, UK196 contributionsThis Government building is open to the public for free; you see the ground floor on a tour given by the lady at Reception. We didn’t book. It’s well worth a visit to see the house itself looking so incongruous surrounded by modern city buildings. And inside, the kauri wood, fireplaces and stained glass windows tell the story of the building’s occupants.Written 29 January 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- KiWombat-18Greymouth, New Zealand93 contributionsWent here to track down my Great Grandfather and a few other blasts from the past. The office was most helpful, and provided a map with directions to find the areas I was seeking.
Also was able to find new information, as one of the graves I sought was a "double decker" with my ancestor downstairs and a more recently bereaved relative interred above.
If you have any history here, then worth spending an hour or two.Written 8 October 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - on_the_go_98765Tucson20,581 contributionsIn 2012, the building was officially closed because it was earthquake-prone. At some point, this may be remedied by some reinforcing means but, until then ...
This 100+ year old 3 story brick beauty stands in stark and very dramatic contrast to the surrounding high rise modern glass monuments to the future. Nice that the past can also be remembered; looking back is not always a bad thing.
The architectural design is stiff and formal and embodies elements of Scottish Baronial, Queen Anne, and even a little Medieval. It was to be the combination residence and library for Alexander Turnbull. He died at 49 of unnatural causes, way before his time was due.
Alexander, once terribly wealthy, was bankrupt when he died. With no heirs (he never married), the house was bequeathed to New Zealand who completed the purchase in 1920.
His was a sad end. A cocaine habit began as a prescribed treatment for his sinus problems but spiraled out of control. Several surgeries for collapsed nostrils followed and his habit grew. This dashing, handsome, man-about-town died a near recluse in a bad physical state of neglect.
Knowing his sad story does help to put some flesh on the grand old building's bones.Written 25 March 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Lissel ABrisbane, Australia664 contributionsI found this wonderful heritage site listed as part of the brochure "Explore Wellington: city to sea walkway" I obtained from the isite. Because we were staying at the Travelodge, we were able to walk up plimmers steps and follow the roads up to the cemetery using the map in that brochure plus other area maps. The Catholic cemetery is a protected heritage site, with many graves of maritime personalities and and church folk. We climbed all the way to the top where the largest headstone and plot turned out to be a group plot for priests enclosed by wrought iron with climbing roses and a bed of white bleached shells. Beautiful. And from up here, as well as lower in the cemetery, you get great views out over the city. I expect you could drive her via the roads in the University then walk down from the top to make it easier. If you're a fan of historic cemeteries as I am then this is a much more atmospheric destination than the Bolton St Cemetery (separate review), but complements it nicely with it's different range of "residents" and the catholic and maritime flavour.Written 30 November 2015This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- onitadaWellington, New Zealand277 contributionsThe Plimmer family connection to Wellington, as outlined by Plimmer Steps Statue, a suburb called Plimerton north of Wellington, and a house, yes, called Plimmer House, at 99 Boulcot Street prove this. In fact the Plimmer family still exists, and you may even walk past one, without being aware.
Yet the focus here is on the Old Bank Arcade on Willis Street, which is home to Plimmers Ark, the remains of a ship that was turned into a shop, by Plimmer, in the yearly days of Wellington. The display offers a visual sample of historical information, and a virtual talk, by none other than Plimmer himself.
Plimmer tells you what it is all about and why over a few minutes, then you can take in the displays. It doesn't take long but is a lovely time capsule of what once was.Written 9 June 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - onitadaWellington, New Zealand277 contributionsTruby King Gardens nestled up in the hills of Melrose was once the residence of Dr. Truby King the founder of the Plunket Charity for babies.
Literally, once upon a time, every baby, including me, would receive a Plunket booklet, with your name on it, wight, health details etc.
You cannot actually go inside the building, unless there is an open day, however you can visit the monument, take in the views, and traverse the garden. The garden trail is mixed pathed and there was, once upon a time, miniature sculptures present, although for the life of me I couldn't locate them this time.
The gardens look a little tardy and could do with a little bit of TLC. They are a reminder, as is the building, that you can walk around, off a time gone bye. Truby King Gardens is on the Southern Walkway and could be included in something more ambitious by taking that trail.Written 6 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
