Wellington, New Zealand, is a quaint little city surrounded by the hills and the sea known for its numerous cafes and creative hubs. It also offers Bookabach holiday homes and 2-bedroom hotels to accommodate travelers of all kinds. While vacations are meant for relaxing, you can also use your vacation to learn new things. Wellington invites you to get out of your comfort zone. You’ll be asked to walk, hike, and explore, and you won’t regret a single thing afterward. You will get to try out a variety of food without traveling everywhere, find out new facts about outer space, and you’ll even find yourself familiarizing with New Zealand’s native species that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. You can do that and so much more. So if you’re looking for an experience of a lifetime, why don’t you check out the exciting things to do at night in Wellington, New Zealand.
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1. Discover Wellington's quirkiest bars
Go on a unique journey through some of Wellington’s fantastic pubs and experience the energetic nightlife at its core. Take a walk along Cuba Street recognized for its captivating street art and unique ambiance. Encounter hidden gems and savor expertly crafted drinks prepared by mixologists. Indulge in snacks while gripping yourself in the history and captivating whispers of each bar. This entertaining 2.5-hour walk offers both visitors and locals a taste of Wellington’s quirky essence. Remember to wear shoes and embrace your spirit!
2. Explore Wellington riding an electric bike
Discover Wellington’s nighttime charisma on an electric bike. Easily guide the city’s terrains, from rolling hills to picturesque bays, powered by a noiseless electric boost. Ride past iconic junctures, including the Te Papa Museum and Weta Workshop, or pause at serene parks. These e-bikes simplify exploring, allowing for effortless expeditions no matter your fitness level. Solo adventurers, couples, or groups, all can enjoy this gorgeous ride. As the city lights sparkle, experience a side of Wellington like never before.
Book Tours : Wellington: Electric Bike Rental
3. Walk along Wellington Waterfront
The Wellington Waterfront at night is perfect for those looking for a different atmosphere without having to travel far away from the business district. Take a stroll under the stars while enjoying the view of both the calm sea and the active city. The highlight of this area is the art installations depicting the history of the city. There is a playground for children and plenty of shops, too. Do something different for a night in this place that separates the sea and the city.
Wellington Waterfront
Address: Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
4. Familiarize yourself with different plants at Otari-Wilton's Bush
Otari Native Botanic Garden and Wilton’s Bush Reserve is an open garden that serves as a sanctuary and forest reserve for New Zealand’s native plants. Rare seedlings are kept here to be conserved and studied. However, you can still walk along the tracks and appreciate different plants and trees while learning their names and characteristics. Aside from protecting New Zealand’s treasured plants, Otari-Wilton’s Bush is a paradise away from urban life.
Otari-Wilton's Bush
Address: 150 Wilton Road, Wilton, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
Website: Otari-Wilton’s Bush
Opening hours: 5am - 10:30pm (daily)
5. Catch the sunset on top of Mount Victoria
The best way to enjoy Wellington is to look at it on top of Mount Victoria. Located 196 meters above the city, you’ll have a 360-degree view of the city, including many night attractions in Wellington. You can drive or take a 30-minute walk using the trails to the top of the mountain. Bring a picnic basket with snacks so you have something to munch on. If you stay a little longer, you can catch the beautiful sunset. Once you’re back on the ground, you’ll immediately miss the breathtaking view that only Mount Victoria can offer.
Mount Victoria
Address: East of central Wellington, New Zealand
6. Go on an outer space adventure at Space Place
Space Place, located in Carter Observatory, is an astronomical observatory that uses digital projections to tell stories of important historical discoveries, New Zealand’s skies, and the importance of stars. People of all ages are welcome to learn about outer space through interactive galleries. You can make your own Black Hole, experience a rocket blasting off, and what it feels like to be inside a spaceship. This is the perfect opportunity to find out more about what we normally don’t see with our naked eye.
Space Place at Carter Observatory
Address: 40 Salamanca Road, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
Website: Space Place at Carter Observatory
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 10am - 6pm; Fri: 4pm - 10pm (closed from Mon - Thu)
Price: Adults: 14 NZD (9 USD); Children (4 - 16): 9 NZD (5.8 USD); Children (0 to 3): Free; Family package (2 adults + 3 children): 45 NZD (29 USD)
7. Eat all you can at Wellington Night Market
Wellington Night Market is the go-to place for good food, good music, and good art. If your ideal weekend is a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, visit the night market during Friday nights at the Left Bank in Cuba Street. But if you’re looking for something louder like a party, Saturday nights at the Lower Cuba Street might be just for you. Either way, you’ll get to jam to live music and choose from a wide variety of snacks and dishes from different parts of the world. Try out old food stalls that have developed a good reputation over the years and discover new food stalls that will satisfy your craving. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for handmade goods as well, one of the best things to buy in Wellington.
Wellington Night Market
Address: 1/107 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Website: Wellington Night Market
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 5pm - 10:30pm (closed from Sun - Thu)
8. Play at Counter Culture Board Game Cafe & Bar
Counter Culture Board Game Cafe & Bar isn’t your ordinary cafe. Yes, you can still come in to have a cup of coffee and some snacks but the best part is that you can do all this while playing board games. There are tables for groups of different sizes, so don’t hesitate to bring some company over. However, booking in advance is advised due to the cafe’s popularity. You can choose from more than 900 games to play. If you’re new to everything, there are game experts that will help you. If you’re a lone wolf, make sure to drop by on a Monday night to get a chance to play against strangers. Those who are in it just for the board games can also just pay to play.
Counter Culture Board Game Cafe & Bar
Address: 211 Victoria Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Website: Counter Culture Board Game Cafe & Bar
Opening hours: Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 10pm; Tue - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri: 5pm - 11pm (closed on Mon)
9. Learn about native species in Zealandia
Zealandia is an urban sanctuary dedicated to conserving Wellington’s unique forest and aquatic ecosystems. Its goal is to restore New Zealand’s natural environment to the way it was before modern life settled in. For some fun things to do, go on a tour and discover New Zealand’s rare wildlife such as the kākā, tuatara, and other birds and reptiles roaming around the valley. Check out the interactive exhibition to learn more about New Zealand’s unique species and the work that goes into its conservation. Take a break at Rātā Café where you can have breakfast, lunch, or afternoon snacks while having the perfect scenery of the valley.
Book Tours : Zealandia Small Group Eco Wildlife Night Tour
10. Try the Wellington Zoo Sleepover experience
Get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness what happens at Wellington Zoo after closing hours. That’s right after everyone leaves you can walk around the zoo and see how the staff takes care of the animals at the end of the day. You can even help them feed the lovely animals a couple of midnight snacks. The next day, you’ll be allowed to watch what preparations occur before the Zoo opens. Don’t forget to bring your own sleeping bag, pillows, and warm clothes. Make sure you eat dinner before arriving because you’ll be having a fun-filled adventure from 7pm to 9:30am.
Wellington Zoo Sleepover
Address: 200 Daniell Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
Website: Wellington Zoo Sleepover
Opening hours: 9:30am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 900 NZD (578 USD) for up to 20 people; 45 NZD (30 USD) for each extra person
11. Have a laugh at The Fringe Bar
Watch a different than usual set of performances at The Fringe Bar. Labeled as the home of comedy, there are four nights every week dedicated just for the genre. On Wednesdays, the Wellington Improvisation Troupe acts out improvised plays and skits. Each night has a different show in store such as stand-up comedy, open mic events, live music, film screenings, and everything else you want to see for entertainment. After the show, you have the chance to become the star of the night during a karaoke session that is open to all. Make your night memorable as you fill it with laughter.
The Fringe Bar
Address: 26-32 Allen Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Website: The Fringe Bar
Opening hours: 11am - 3am (daily)
12. Try a cocktail made just for you at Hawthorn Lounge
With 30 years’ worth of experience in the bar scene, Hawthorn Lounge exceeds expectations when it comes to its handmade cocktails. Every Friday night in Wellington, locals and visitors alike flock here, where the bar staff, having studied and trained diligently, craft the perfect cocktail tailored to each customer’s taste. The intimate and cozy atmosphere of the bar helps build a connection between the bartender and the guest. Whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast or simply curious about different drinks, visiting this place is one of the best bucket-list experiences in Wellington.
Hawthorn Lounge
Address: 82 Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Website: Hawthorn Lounge
Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 5pm - 1am (closed from Sun - Tue)
Discover every nook and cranny of Wellington, New Zealand
From Wellington’s breathtaking night views to its abundance of plants and animals, and even to its homey entertainment hubs, Wellington is the ideal place to visit when you want to take a breather from your daily routine. With all the exciting things you can do here, there might be one or more that’s perfect for you. Take a vacation now and spend some time at Wellington. Just take your pick among the many hotels and Airbnb vacation rentals for your accommodation needs.
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