CentrePort Wellington
Perched on the southern tip of the North Island, New Zealand’s capital is an important center for arts and culture, and a popular stop-off for cruise ships. From CentrePort Wellington, it's easy to explore the treasure-filled Te Papa (Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa), the Zealandia wildlife sanctuary, and more.
The Basics
CentrePort Wellington offers a wealth of sightseeing options, such as Wellington Cable Car, Mt. Victoria Lookout, and Wellington Botanic Gardens, many of which can be visited on a shore excursion. Alternatively, escape the inner city on a day trip and travel to beauty spots such as the Taputeranga Marine Reserve, the Kāpiti Coast, and the Hutt Valley.
Movie buffs will especially enjoy Lord of the Rings–themed tours, which typically stop at Weta Cave, run by the Oscar-winning Weta Workshop. Craft beer tours of Wellington and wine tours of the nearby Martinborough wine region also depart from the port.
Things to Know Before You Go
CentrePort Wellington has three docking piers: the large Aotea Quay, Queens Wharf, and Overseas Terminal.
Facilities at the cruise terminal include cafés, Wi-Fi, shops, transport connections, and restrooms.
Most shore excursions include pickup and drop-off from the port.
Wellington’s nickname is Windy Welly; a windproof outer layer is essential as almost all tours include time outdoors.
Because of its compact size and attractive setting, Wellington allows cruise passengers to experience both city life and rugged nature in one day.
How to Get to Wellington From CentrePort Wellington
Large cruise ships dock at Aotea Quay. From there, it’s a 20–25 minute walk to the city center via the waterfront. Some cruise liners run free shuttles for passengers, and most shore excursions include round-trip transportation. Smaller cruise ships dock at Queens Wharf in the center of Wellington.
Port Information
The official languages of New Zealand are Maori and English, while the official currency is the New Zealand dollar. The closest ATM to the port is at the Wellington train station, a 10-minute walk away from Aotea Quay.
Trip ideas
- Things to do in North Island
- Things to do in Picton
- Things to do in Tongariro National Park
- Things to do in Hastings
- Things to do in Akaroa
- Things to do in Rotorua
- Things to do in Tauranga
- Things to do in Auckland
- Things to do in Waiheke Island
- Things to do in Queenstown
- Things to do in South Island
- Things to do in New South Wales
- Things to do in Wanaka
- Things to do in Tasmania
- Things to do in Victoria
- Old St. Paul's
- New Zealand Parliament (Beehive)
- Wellington Museum
- Wellington Cable Car
- Weta Workshop
- Wellington Outer Green Belt
- City Gallery Wellington
- Space Place at Carter Observatory
- Wellington Botanic Garden
- Te Papa (Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa)
- Cuba Street
- Mt. Victoria Lookout
- Zealandia Ecosanctuary
- Hutt Valley
- Red Rocks Reserve (Pariwhero)