What to do and see in Wellington, North Island: The Best Museums

Fragrifert Parfumeur, The Victorian Perfumery, is a mini-museum and perfume emporium all in one. All perfumes are made by me, Francesco van Eerd, and are created using time honoured techniques and with a high percentage of natural materials. Just as they would have been made one hundred years ago. Where nature allows, I even distill my own materials. I welcome you to visit for yourself the fragrant excitement that is Fragrifert Parfumeur, at the Top of the Cable Car!

Discover the inspiring story of Suzanne Aubert, New Zealand's first saint-in-the-making, and the living mission of the Sisters of Compassion. Take some time out in the Chapel of Our Lady of Compassion, renowned for its John Drawbridge stained glass windows. Enjoy a walk in the tranquility of the gardens.All this is set in the beautiful and historic grounds of Our Lady's Home of Compassion.

Totally cool personal museum of Lord of the Rings fan stuff!! Visit by arrangement by email/SMS (listed opening hours indicate availability, but we're very flexible). We love visitors - fans, families - and it's lots of fun. Try on costumes, play with replica weapons and props, see cool stuff, laugh along with our fun film. FREE - donations welcomed. See pics on museum website.

Enter the 1888 home of a fashionable colonial family and discover the world and writing of internationally acclaimed New Zealand writer Katherine Mansfield at her birthplace. Enjoy a heritage garden and changing exhibitions. Open Tuesday to Sunday. Entry fees apply, guided tours by arrangement. Reopened October 2019 following redevelopment.

Wellington Museum celebrates the people and the events that have shaped the character and soul of the Capital City of New Zealand and it’s region. Visitors are transported to the 1800s, and then explore the city’s metamorphosis. The Ngā Heke exhibition showcases prized taonga, Te Whanganui a Tara (The Great Harbour of Tara), and contemporary work from Māori artists and poets. Reach the top floor and you’ll be greeted by the delightfully bizarre; The Attic, which embraces the more peculiar side of Wellington’s history. Explore, listen, and even time travel. The Museum Store is a gem of a place to get a unique gift for yourself or a loved one, find exquisite New Zealand made memorabilia. The Museum is located at the heart of Wellington’s waterfront, just two minutes from the shopping on Lambton Quay and the iconic cable car. It is free and listed as one of the must-dos while in the world’s coolest little capital.

Experience the whole of New Zealand in one building! Te Papa is New Zealand's bold, innovative and interactive national museum. Explore the great treasures and stories of this country, its unique natural environment, Maori culture and taonga (treasures), dynamic art heritage, and its fascinating history. Te Papa is located on Wellington's spectacular waterfront. Open 10am to 6pm every day except Christmas Day. General admission is free.

Registered with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as having 'outstanding significance,' Nairn Street Cottage was built by William Wallis in the 1850s as a home for his family. It is Wellington's oldest original cottage and tells the story of the Wallis Family, who lived in the cottage for three generations. Admission includes a tour of the clapboard cottage and the stunning heritage gardens, where the story of these early settlers and their descendants is brought to life. Open hours: Summer season; January-March 2016: Open daily, with tours at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm. Winter season, March-December 2016: Tours at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm every Saturday and Sunday. Closed: Monday-Friday.