Family Activities & Events in Wellington

Wellington provides a wide range of things to do and places to go for all members of the family throughout the year. Here’s a couple we would recommend you do while in the Coolest Little Capital!

2020 World of Wearable Art Show

Described as ‘Part Cirque du Soleil, part Broadway play and part avant-garde couture show. 

After three decades of thrilling audiences, it’s unsurprising the World of Wearable Art Show is now New Zealand’s largest and most spectacular theatrical production, entertaining 60,000 people for three weeks every year in Wellington. An explosion of creativity like no other.

Make this a must do while in Wellington for SLANZA 2020!

Dates: 24 September - 11 October 2020

Venue: TSB Bank Arena, Queens Wharf

For more information, visit their website here 

Wellington Zoo

Thoroughly modern and dedicated to conservation and sustainability, Wellington Zoo has a big heart and is the first carboNZero certified zoo in the world! 

From solving a tiger’s itchy ears to keeping native penguins well-fed, their team know how to keep animals happy and put their welfare first. Walking around Wellington Zoo, set in the suburb of Newtown a short trip from central Wellington, you’ll see a bunch of extremely well looked after creatures in comfy habitats.

The Zoo also offers Close Encounters, get up close and personal with some of the Zoo’s most special inhabitants - giraffes, lemurs, capybaras, cheetahs, meerkats or red pandas.

For more information, visit their website here

Space Place at Carter's Observatory

Just a five-minute trip from the CBD on Wellington's iconic Cable Car, Space Place’s stunning digital, full-dome planetarium screen has a range of shows for all ages, selected from the best available nationally and internationally. From adorable aliens and spectacular images of the planets to the wonders of space travel and exploration, each show includes a live presentation of the night sky over New Zealand.

On a clear night you can look through the giant telescope and roam the spectacular southern skies. It’s star-gazing at its finest. 

For more information, visit their website here

East by West Ferry

You haven't experienced Wellington until you've travelled on one of East By West's ferries. Located on Queens Wharf, East By West's ferries offer daily sailings to Days Bay and Matiu/Somes Island. 

Matiu/Somes Island - a scientific and historic reserve administered by DOC, the island is steeped in local history, from early Maori settlement to a prisoner of war camp, and quarantine station. Now it is being revert to its native flora and fauna. The views from all over the easy walking tracks on the island are unsurpassed and not to be missed. 

For more information, visit their website here

Wellington Museum

Ranked in the Top 50 Museums in the World by The Times UK, Wellington Museum offers interactive exhibitions that will appeal to all ages.

Housed in a significant heritage building on the waterfront, the museum offers a wonderful insight into the rich social and cultural history of Wellington, which is a great accompaniment to Te Papa's stories of the nation.

Don’t miss The Attic exhibition on the top floor of the museum – it’s a raucous collection of Wellington artefacts, both new and old.

For more information, visit their website here

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