Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, is home to lots of theatres, art galleries, amazing food, festivals, nightlife and so much more. Wellington has been named “The Coolest Little Capital in the World” by Lonely Planet. The city also has many other accolades such as the best city in the world for quality of living, highest quality of life in New Zealand, among the top six food cities in the world, and lots more!

When you come to study in New Zealand, make sure you head along to Wellington for these top things to do! Better yet, if you’re studying at Victoria University of Wellington, you can do these things all the time!

• Walk along the waterfront

  Wandering along the waterfront in Wellington is a must-do in the city. It’s a great place for a relaxing walk with beautiful views of the harbour during both the daytime and the nighttime. As well as a leisurely stroll, there are also two parks and lots of eateries to enjoy along the waterfront with its many cafés, restaurants and bars. During summer, the waterfront plays host to events such as night markets and festivals. You can also hire a bike, kayak or paddleboat to enjoy the wonderful ambiance of the waterfront.

• Vintage thrifting

  Wellington is known for its amazing vintage clothing stores, so go wild shopping! There are lots of shops in the city to hunt for awesome vintage clothes - from denim jackets and overalls to bright sweaters and retro polo shirts to print tees. Thrifting is a great way to spend the day with friends - who knows what you’ll come across!

• Cuba Street

  Cuba Street, Wellington CBD’s main street is full of shops, restaurants, cafés, bars and art galleries. With its bohemian feel, this street is always full of energy. Take a walk along Cuba Street to find something to buy and something to eat, or to simply soak up the city’s funky vibe.

• Te Papa

  The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, commonly known as Te Papa, is New Zealand’s national museum. It features the country’s art, culture and sciences. Experience the permanent exhibitions - New Zealand's geology and natural environment, and the stories of New Zealand's indigenous people, the Maori. Te Papa also regularly hosts exciting special exhibitions and international exhibitions. You can pay for a tour of the museum, but admission is free!