Wellington Shore Excursion: From Cave to Coast Highlights Private Tour
Description
Comprehensive yet personal: In just half a day, we capture the very best of Wellington — from the panoramic views atop Mount Victoria to the movie magic of Weta Cave, the rugged South Coast, and the serene Botanic Gardens. It’s the perfect balance of must-sees and hidden gems. Locally guided experience: Our passionate local driver guides share authentic stories, film trivia, and personal insights you won’t find in any guidebook. Small-group comfort: With a maximum of 11 guests per vehicle, you’ll enjoy a relaxed, flexible, and interactive experience. Seamless and scenic: Every stop has been thoughtfully chosen to showcase Wellington’s diverse beauty — from city skyline views to wild coastline, from coffee culture to creative artistry.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Enjoy sweeping views of the city and harbour from the Mount Victoria Lookout
Drive the length of Oriental and Evans Bay Parades and check out the private cable cars accessing the houses along the ridge line.
Visit the Weta Cave retail and museum space associated with the Weta group of companies and check out some of their movie magic. Watch an exclusive behind the scenes documentary of the companies history (optional - if time and availability allows)
Enjoy a classic Kiwi lunch at a local café renowned for its freshly prepared, locally caught seafood. The menu also caters to all dietary preferences. Your meal includes a main course and a drink.
Learn about the local geography, history, flora and fauna as you gaze across the Cook Strait to the Kaikoura Ranges in the South Island.
Enjoy the amazing sights from this magnificent viewpoint high above the city of Wellington.
Take an optional ride up the Wellington Cable Car from Lambton Quay to Kelburn. The tour rejoins there with a views across the valley and visit to the Cable Car Museum
Take an optional walk through the Botanical Gardens to the Lady Norwood Rose Garden where the tour rejoins to explore the 108 different rose varieties
The final stop is Old St. Paul’s Cathedral (optional entry at guests’ own expense, $5 NZD per person), where you can explore this native hardwood timber cathedral, built in 1866, and admire its magnificent stained glass windows.
Take in the view across the white sand beach to the entrance of Wellington Harbour.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
For hotel pick up please wait for your Zozo Travel driver guide in the lobby or main hotel entrance. For cruise pick up please wait at the Private Tour Waiting Area at the cruise terminal. DO NOT get on cruise shuttle. For specific pick up time and locations please contact Zozo Travel directly.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
Reviews(9)
Wonderful adventure by a remarkable guide. Athena was engaging, entertaining, and a delight to be with. One of the best guides we have ever had. Highly recommend her!
Fantastic to hear! Thanks Debi. Athena will be delighted with the wonderful feedback.
What a wonderful day with Phil. It was so easy to walk off the ship and get picked up. The multitude of sites he covered on our 5 hour tour was amazing. There were so many picture perfect stops. The lunch provided at Chocolate Fish was great. He was an excellent driver and always felt safe as well as very informative with his knowledge. Thanks Phil!!
My pleasure, Susan! Thanks for the review and wonderful feedback
Gary was an outstanding guide and helped make our tour special. Great overview of Wellington with a fantastic lunch! Highly recommend!!
Delighted to hear it! Thanks very much for taking the time to leave the review and as always great to hear that the day out with us was so enjoyable. Gary is a star!
The tour encompuses the entire city traveling around the heights and coast of the city before seeing downtown. Beautiful views and a great commentary by Steve, our driver-guide. Included meal was substantial anfqaaa
Thanks for the feedback. Glad the day was enjoyable for you!
Phil was an awesome tour guide…friendly, knowledgeable, with a comfortable vehicle with the car seat and booster seats set up ahead of time. We had a great lunch and saw so many beautiful areas around Wellington. Don’t hesitate to book this tour, everyone in our group enjoyed it and hope to come back again.
Thanks very much for the effusive feedback, Brittney. It was my pleasure to host you friends and family for the day!
Great Cave to coast private tour with Kelvin. Saw Wellington from many scenic overlooks, walked through botanical gardens and WETA workshop area. Saw many lord of the rings sights, too. Adjusted tour to avoid rain as much as possible.
Thanks for the great review Laura and glad you enjoyed the day. Lovely to hear more wonderful feedback about Kelvin. Your great feedback has been passed on to him as well! Cheers.
We had guide Aaron and in the comfort of his car we had a most enjoyable and informative tour ever. There was a question he couldn’t answer. The lunch at the Loose Goose hit the spot. Thanks so much. One of the best cruise tours ever
Thanks for the great review and many thanks for the great feedback re Aaron which has been passed on to him. Cheers!
We had been to Wellington 17 years ago and wanted to see places we had not seen before. Our driver/guide Kelvin took us to spectacular overlooks, beautiful seacoasts, the National War Memorial (unusually impressive), the WETA workshop, Old St. Paul's Church and much more. We had a modern 4 seat Toyota truck and he was happy to take us even though we were just 2 people so there was one extra seat. Kelvin was friendly, personable, and knowledgable and we felt like we were leaving a long lost friend when we parted. This was one of the best private tours we have ever had. It was like coming to town and having and old friend show us the city. The tour included lunch and it was not your typical tour bus lunch. We had an impressive meal at Coene's Restaurant including a beer and a glass of wine. I had one of the best seafood stews I have ever had in my life. If all their guides are like Kelvin, these folks deserve serious consideration.
Thanks for the amazing feedback Frank. I've passed your very kind words on to Kelvin who will be equally chuffed. Glad you enjoyed the day in our wonderful city!
Great day on a private tour! Our guide, Tom was fantastic. His knowledge of the area and willingness to tailor the tour to what we wanted to do made the a very memorable tour.
Thanks for the wonderful review. Your feedback has been handed on to Tom and is very much appreciated. Cheers!
