5 Free Things to Do in Wellington, New Zealand, for the History Buff

History, culture, politics… it’s all alive and well in New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington.

Whether you’re looking to get a taste of how this South Pacific nation’s government works, hoping to learn a bit about New Zealand’s history, or just up for strolling around to see some really cool buildings, Wellington has a lot to offer – including a lot to offer any history buff.

Here are 5 completely FREE things to do in Wellington with a bit of historical flair:

Spend Some Time at Te Papa

As a general jumping-off point in Wellington, I always recommend making a visit to Te Papa Tongarewa – The National Museum of New Zealand. A visit to Te Papa is a great way to get a feel for New Zealand’s history and character in a really cool and modern setting. And the museum is completely free to all visitors, which only makes it more appealing.

Located at the corner of Cable and Taranaki streets near Lambton Harbor, this modern-looking museum offers visitors five unique floors of exhibits to explore. You can learn about New Zealand’s Maori heritage, its history as a British colony, its geological makeup and trajectory, its environment, and its unique flora and fauna, among other things.

The museum itself is very visually appealing, and, along with presenting weeks’ worth of reading material, it also has many interactive displays that really help enhance the learning experience.

Visit Old St. Paul’s

Nothing screams history like an old Gothic church – and that’s just what Old St. Paul’s is. The church, built in 1866 on Mulgrave Street near Parliament, used to be an Anglican cathedral in the Diocese of Wellington. While the Diocese moved to the new St. Paul’s Cathedral in 1964, Old St. Paul’s was preserved and restored, and is now managed by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

The building itself is a beautiful example of 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture, and is constructed entirely from native New Zealand timber. The inside of the building is full of curving trusses and elaborate stained glass windows, and is well worth a visit.

Entry into Old St. Paul’s is free, though a small donation is suggested. Guided tours are available by arrangement.

Experience the Cable Car Museum

The Wellington Cable Car

One of Wellington’s favorite historical attractions is the red cable car that runs from Lambton Quay up a hillside to Kelburn. The cable car has been in use in Wellington for over a century, and is still used as a daily mode of transportation by the locals.

While the tram itself isn’t free, attractions at its top drop-off station – like the Cable Car Museum and Wellington Botanic Garden – won’t cost you a thing. You can learn all about the history of Wellington’s iconic cable cars at the museum, and then take a stroll through rose gardens and tropical plant greenhouses.

And the views alone at the top cable car station are probably worth the $5 return fare.

Plan a Tour of the Archives

Any true history buff will not want to miss a trip to Archives New Zealand. Guided tours of the Wellington office on Mulgrave Street provide an overview of what Archives does and the documents they have preserved. You’ll also get an introduction to the Constitution Room, which houses some of New Zealand’s most important documents, such as the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, the Declaration of Independence, and the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition.

Guided tours are free, but only run twice a week and require advanced notice. Tours can be tailored to your specific interests, as long as you get in touch with Archives well ahead of time. Alternatively, you can also visit Archives and the Constitution Room on your own any time that they are open.

Take a tour of Parliament

The 'beehive' - Parliament Buildings

Even if politics isn’t your favorite subject, taking a tour of New Zealand’s Parliament could be worth your time. The buildings – including the Executive Wing that has been fondly nicknamed “The Beehive” – are right down the street from Wellington’s railway station, and are also easily accessible on any bus line.

Free, hour-long guided tours are offered through Parliament, where you can learn all about how the New Zealand government works (in case you were wondering, it’s a parliamentary democracy where the country is still loosely connected to the British monarch, and more than two political parties are represented in the governing body).

If politics isn’t your thing, I would still recommend making a quick stop to at least marvel at the architectural oddity that is “The Beehive.”

This, of course, only scratches the surface. Wellington – and all of New Zealand, for that matter – has so much to offer a curious traveler on a budget, if you just know where to look. Make sure you don't miss it!

Comments

• Julb says:

  everyone is cool in wellington
  

  9 months ago

• Sarah says:

  I've lived in Wellington for 14 years (from the UK) and there are always so many free events on. The summer months are choca! The atmosphere is friendly and the city small enough to get around on foot, scooter or hire a croc bike! I have kept a family blog for 8 years now which has heaps of pics and links about Welly if anyone is interested - www.catchingthemagic.com
  
  It's totally true that Welly is unbeatable on a good day and despite its windy reputation it does get a lot of sunshine hours (clouds are quickly blown away!).

  1 year ago

• Alouise says:

  Love this post. New Zealand is often shown as an adventure/outdoor destination, it's cool to read about some of the historical things to do to.

  1 year ago

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