Capital Stories: Walking Wellington’s Historical Government Quarter

Once a colonial outpost, today Wellington is an exciting modern city. On this walking tour, you’ll discover New Zealand’s capital’s rich history, vibrant public art, and storied architecture.

Starting outside the magnificent Old Government Buildings, one of the world’s second largest wooden structures, you’ll hear about New Zealand’s early democracy and Wellington’s transformation into the nation’s capital. As you make your way into the heart of the city, you’ll pass iconic landmarks like the grand Wellington Railway Station and the charming Thistle Inn, one of the country’s oldest pubs.

You’ll experience the contrast between Old St Paul’s Gothic beauty and sleek New St Paul’s Cathedral, where I’ll show you a hidden gargoyle. As you make your way to the Wellington Cenotaph, where the tour ends, you’ll explore the city’s political heart and hear several untold stories that make this tour a must for history lovers and curious visitors alike.

On this hour-long tour, you’ll have a chance to:

• Meet four Prime Ministers immortalized in bronze, including Keith Holyoake, who publicly listed his home phone number
• Appreciate Louise Purvis’ earthquake sculpture with its massive limestone discs that remind visitors of this ever-present risk
• Spot suffragette leader, Kate Sheppard, in pedestrian signals at one of eight intersections near Parliament
• See New Zealand’s Parliament Buildings and its striking executive wing, known as the Beehive
• Walk among 231 jade discs marking the underground Wai Piro stream while speakers play recorded water sounds
• Stroll through the leafy and historical Bolton Street Cemetery

Perfect for anyone wanting to explore Wellington’s unique heritage, this tour promises a rich blend of history, culture, and architecture.

This easy-paced walk takes around an hour, though we encourage you to pause, explore, and take photos along the way. The tour has been carefully crafted to showcase Wellington’s remarkable architectural heritage while avoiding the steepest of the city’s infamous hills.