The Budget & Backpacking Guide to Wellington

© Metlink

How to Get Around Wellington on a Budget

The more you walk around Wellington city centre, the more you discover. Artworks and sculptures line the waterfront, but some are more prominent than others. Quotes are carved into obscure places like under walkway bridges and in the water as part of the Wellington Writer’s Walk.

Even the seating along the harbour is not just your average park bench. Sit on an odd arrangement of wooden blocks and watch people from all walks of life walk/board/bike/scooter by.

There are a few museums in the city, but one in particular is a must-visit: Te Papa Tongarewa. Countless interactive and visually stimulating displays show everything about New Zealand.

From social history like the Maori culture to the natural world like earthquakes and volcanoes of NZ, you can spend hours in this place.

Te Papa holds the world’s largest colossal squid and temporary exhibits, which have included the World of Wearable Art exhibition (in 2014), the 75 years of Air New Zealand exhibition (in 2015) and the Gallipoli: The Scale of our War (2016). Te Papa also has free WiFi…

© NZPocketGuide.com

Free Activities in Wellington

There’s no lack of free attractions in New Zealand’s capital, many of which are Wellington must-dos!

Wellington Museum

In the city centre is the Wellington Museum (3 Jervois Quay), which delves into the history and art of Wellington itself. See more free museums in the 10 Free Art Galleries & Museums in Wellington.

Mt Victoria

If it’s a nice day, then it would be a crime not to visit Wellington’s amazing outdoor spaces, such as the Mt Victoria Lookout Walkway passing through the city’s green belt where scenes from The Lord of the Rings were filmed.

Learn more about the walk in the 10 Best Walks in Wellington.

Wellington Botanic Garden

Another stunning outdoor space is the Botanic Gardens. Find an array of various themed gardens, as well as a treehouse information centre, bush walks and parks across 25ha (62 acres) of hillside between Thorndon and Kelburn. In summer, it’s also the venue for free gigs.

Parliament Tour and Beehive Building

Wellington is also the administrative capital of New Zealand, and the Beehive building (1 Museum Street) is an iconic attraction.

Snap up a photo from the outside or tour its surrounding buildings on the free New Zealand Parliament Tour. Tours run on the hour between 10 am and 4 pm and last approximately one hour.

For more free activities, check out the 20 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Wellington.

© NZPocketGuide.com

Cheap Activities in Wellington

If you have room in your budget to spend a little, then these cheap activities in Wellington are worth doing.

Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary

Along Bus Route 2 with Metlink or via the free shuttle from the Wellington i-SITE, Zealandia is a native bird sanctuary outside the city centre.

The sanctuary has a museum which tells the story of New Zealand’s unique wildlife and the threats they face today, while the large predator-free haven has numerous walking trails.

Look out for birds that are free to come and go as they please, such as the rare blue-feathered takahe, bush parrots, tui, robins and much more.

Wellington Cable Car

Finally, a cheap and quite simple attraction is the historic Wellington Cable Car (280 Lambton Quay), which you can ride from the city centre to the top of the Botanic Gardens for around NZ$7 per adult.

At the top of the Cable Car track, you’ll get an amazing view of the city and a chance to explore the free Cable Car Museum.

For more cheap activities, see the 20 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Wellington.

© The Marion Hostel

Where to Stay: Affordable Accommodations in Wellington

Wellington is a city of budget hotels, motels, apartments and backpacker hostels, which makes it easy to enjoy an affordable stay.

Although we outline all your options in the 15 Best Budget Accommodations in Wellington City, as well as the 10 Best Backpacker Hostels in Wellington, here are some of our top picks for travellers on a budget.

The Marion Hostel – A Stylish “Flashpacker” Stay in the Heart of Wellington

Some of the best-loved budget accommodations in Wellington are, in fact, backpacker hostels, so it’s only fitting to start this list off with The Marion Hostel.

Even discerning travellers might like the private rooms of this stylish city-centre hostel which is renovated with love inside a historical building. The hostel offers the ultimate “flashpacker” experience, boasting pod-style dorm beds with a privacy curtain, personal power sockets and a drawer-style locker.

You’ll also find twin and double rooms for a little extra privacy, while the communal kitchen, indoor dining area and rooftop outdoor dining area are awesome places to relax. As an ultra-popular accommodation.

Find out why The Marion Hostel is a favourite for budget travellers and backpackers, and reserve your stay through Booking.com or Expedia!

Microtel by Wyndham Wellington – Affordable Comfort in a Central City Location

Microtel by Wyndham Wellington offers comfortable and affordable accommodation in the heart of Wellington. This budget-friendly hotel boasts air-conditioned rooms with city views, private bathrooms, and essential amenities like work desks, TVs and free toiletries.

According to our very own travel manager, Robin, the compact rooms are ideal for solo travellers and couples looking for a central base to explore the capital.

The hotel’s family-friendly restaurant serves local and European cuisines, including vegetarian and gluten-free options. Guests can start their day with a continental or buffet breakfast.

Convenient facilities include a lift, coffee shop, full-day security and express check-in/out. While most attractions are within walking distance, paid on-site parking is available for those with a vehicle.

Learn more about what makes Microtel by Wyndham Wellington a practical choice for travellers and book your stay via Booking.com or Expedia!

© WellingtonNZ

Cheap Eats in Wellington

Finally, wrap up your affordable day in Wellington with some local and international cuisine in this melting-pot city.

For street eats, treat yourself to waffles at the Little Waffle Shop (53 Courtenay Place), pick up some French crepes from Crepes A-Go-Go (61 Manners Street), or head to The Capital Market (151 Willis Street) for heaps of deals and food trucks to be found all in one place.

Combine a visit to Wellington’s famous bohemian street, Cuba Street, with some cheap eats at Fidel’s Cafe (234 Cuba Street), offering NZ$15 lunch options.

For much more recommendations, check out the Cheap Eats in Wellington.

© Phoebe Mackenzie - WellingtonNZ

More About Art and Culture in Wellington

The more you walk around Wellington city centre, the more you discover. Artworks and sculptures line the waterfront, but some are more prominent than others. Quotes are carved into obscure places like under walkway bridges and in the water as part of the Wellington Writer’s Walk.

Even the seating along the harbour is not just your average park bench. Sit on an odd arrangement of wooden blocks and watch people from all walks of life walk/board/bike/scooter by.

There are a few museums in the city, but one in particular is a must-visit: Te Papa Tongarewa. Countless interactive and visually stimulating displays show everything about New Zealand.

From social history like the Maori culture to the natural world like earthquakes and volcanoes of NZ, you can spend hours in this place.

Te Papa holds the world’s largest colossal squid and temporary exhibits, which have included the World of Wearable Art exhibition (in 2014), the 75 years of Air New Zealand exhibition (in 2015) and the Gallipoli: The Scale of our War (2016). Te Papa also has free WiFi…

Things You Can’t Miss in Wellington

• See the art along the waterfront
• Check out the colossal squid in Te Papa Museum
• Get your geek on at Weta Cave or do a movie tour
• Shop, eat, rave, repeat in Wellington’s compact city centre
• Get an awesome view of the city from Mt Victoria, Botanic Gardens and the sea!

Power tip: Wellington is also a great city to stop for a few days and catch up with life back home. It has a huge number of great coffee shops offering free high-speed WiFi with the purchase of a yummy hot drink.

© NZPocketGuide.com

More About Wellywood

Heaps of great movies have come out of New Zealand (there’s a movie about a ring that you may have heard about), many of which have had some filming done in Wellington or been produced by production workshops in the city.

The city and surrounding areas are inexpensive to film in, making it a great hub for movie-making.

A must for movie buffs is the Weta Cave and Weta Workshop. The three trolls from The Hobbit stand by the entrance, so it’s hard to miss.

The Weta Cave is a shop with movie collectables all made from the team behind the props, costumes and digital animation for movies such as The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar, The Adventures of Tintin, King Kong, The Amazing Spider-Man, District 9, and so much more.

The Weta Cave has a mini-museum and a video explaining what Weta does. For around NZ$99 you can take the Weta Workshop Tour to see how props are made and hold some alien guns.

Weta Cave is based in Miramar, which is a 30-minute bus ride from the city centre. Ask the bus driver, and they will tell you where to jump off. They deal with movie geeks all the time.

You can visit several filming locations from The Lord of the Rings on location tours, a full-day experience provided by Wellington Rings Tours. Check out the filming locations in 20 Lord of the Rings Filming Locations You Can’t Miss in New Zealand.

© Don Benny Vergara

More About Shopping and Nightlife in Wellington

What we like about Wellington is how compact the city centre is. It only takes about 20 minutes to walk from one side of the centre to the other.

The majority of bars and clubs are on Courtenay Place. There’s The Residence for killer happy-hour deals and retro vibes, Vinyl Bar with its cheap drink nights and throwback tunes, Mishmosh for your classier cocktail night, and more: see the 5 Awesome Bars in Wellington.

Cuba Street has a reputation for being a bit quirky, a bit hipster, a bit bohemian. There are many options for a bite to eat: KK Malaysia for cheap and tasty Malaysian curries and mee goreng, Floriditas for classic café fare with local flair, Aunty Mena’s Vegetarian Cafe for vibrant veggie-friendly meals, and Logan Brown for a celebrated fine dining experience.

If you want to experience Wellington’s culinary delights, book a food tour with The Big Foody Food Tours. A local guide will take you on a slow-paced walking adventure through the city centre. You’ll explore the vibrant Cuba Street, glorious waterfront and cosmopolitan Lambton Quay while indulging in coffee, chocolate, craft beer, charcuterie and cheese.

It also holds some decent op shops and vintage stores: Hunters & Collectors, Ziggurat, Paper Bag Princess and Bizarre Bazaar.

Head to Wellington’s CBD on Lambton Quay for a wealth of shops. All the New Zealand retail chains you could think of are here, as well as pop-up liquidation sales.

© NZPocketGuide.com

Wellington Region

Wellington has a whole lot more to offer than the city centre. If you have time, why not take some day trips to the surrounding suburbs and districts all with their own charms.

Take a trip down the Kapiti Coast to do some beach-hopping. Make your way to the Wairarapa to see the rugged coastal areas of Cape Palliser and Castlepoint. It’s also home to the Wellington wine-growing region, meaning there are plenty of jobs for backpackers and plenty of excuses to drink some New Zealand wine.

Finally, not too far from Wellington city is the Hutt Valley, especially good for exploring hiking tracks in the forests.