City To Coast, Lunch Included

Wellington City to Coast Highlights Tour (with Lunch)

★ 4.8 273 reviews

from $123.27 per person

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Duration: 5 hours
Meeting point: Takina Wellington Convention Centre, Cable Street
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Zozo Travel - Tours of Wellington. Scenic, Winery, Brewery and Foodie Tours

Overview

This five-hour loop packs Wellington's city sights and south coast into roughly five hours, with a maximum of 11 travellers in a comfortable van and a local driver-guide giving live commentary between stops. Pickup is included from your hotel or cruise ship, or you can meet at the Takina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre on Cable Street, departing at 10:00 AM from the Wakefield Street side. The tour ends back where it started.

The route climbs Mount Victoria for city views, stops at Weta Workshop Experiences, then drops to the coast: Shelly Bay for a longer stop, the Te Kopahou Visitor Centre, and the Wellington Wind Turbine. Back in town it takes in the Cable Car, the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and Old St. Paul's, with an included lunch along the way.

Expect to climb in and out of the van often, since most stops are short. Two optional extras, the Cable Car and Old St. Paul's, cost a few dollars each on the day.

Wellington waterfront on a bright morning, wooden boardwalk and moored yachts, city hills behind, a few distant walkers.

What's Included

Included

Lunch
Local driver/guide with live commentary on board
Hotel or cruise ship pickup and drop-off
Small group tour

Not Included

Gratuities
Cable Car tickets (optional) (NZ$6.50 per person)
Old St. Paul's Cathedral (Optional) (NZ$5.00 per person)

Itinerary

Pickup or meeting pointHotel or cruise ship pickup and drop-off is included, or meet at the Takina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre on Cable Street, departing 10:00 AM from the Wakefield Street side. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
Mount VictoriaA 15-minute stop and views over the city.
Weta Workshop ExperiencesA 15-minute stop with free admission at the Weta Workshop Experiences venue.
Shelly BayThe longest stop at 45 minutes, with admission included.
South coast lookoutsBrief 15-minute free stops at the Te Kopahou Visitor Centre and the Wellington Wind Turbine.
Cable Car, Rose Garden, Old St. Paul'sThe Cable Car stop lasts 30 minutes and is optional and not included (NZ$6.50 per person). The Lady Norwood Rose Garden follows with 30 minutes, then Old St. Paul's for 15 minutes, also optional and not included (NZ$5.00 per person).
ReturnLunch is included during the tour, and the day ends back at the original meeting point.

GuideIncluded

PickupIncluded

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in traveller reviews, and they shape how this tour feels day to day.

Bring layers. Several stops are outdoors at coastal or hilltop lookouts, so there is plenty of time outside the van. A jacket you can keep in the van between stops makes the short lookout visits easier.
Pace and boarding. Reviewers describe a whistle-stop rhythm with frequent entries and exits from the van. Participants must be able to board and disembark unassisted using steps and grab rails. One traveller in the back row found the repeated folding in and out tiring by the end.
Lunch. Lunch is included and reviewers call it excellent again and again.
Guides. Several reviewers single out their guides as locals with deep knowledge of Māori history, lore and city stories.
Photo stops. The itinerary builds in stops at lookouts, the coast and gardens, and reviewers mention lots of stops for taking pictures. Keep the camera within reach rather than buried in a bag, since most stops are short.
Small group feel. The tour caps at 11 travellers, and reviewers mention both the small group and the frequent stops. Families take it too: children must be accompanied by an adult, infant seats are available, and pushchairs are accessible.

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Common issues. The pace is quick and the time at most stops is short, with one reviewer noting the frequent getting in and out of a van throughout the day. Two stops carry extra fees on the day, the Cable Car at NZ$6.50 per person and Old St. Paul's at NZ$5.00 per person, and gratuities are not included. The tour also requires a minimum number of travellers to run, and if that minimum is not met it may be cancelled with an offer of a different date or a full refund. Participants must be able to enter and exit the van unassisted; guides can decline participation, with a full refund, if this requirement cannot be met at the start.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Wellington City To Coast Tour?

The tour includes lunch, a local driver-guide with live commentary on board, hotel or cruise ship pickup and drop-off, and transport in a group capped at 11 travellers. Gratuities are not included.

Do I Need To Pay For The Cable Car And Old St Paul's?

Yes, both are optional extras not covered by the tour price. The Cable Car costs NZ$6.50 per person and Old St. Paul's costs NZ$5.00 per person, paid on the day. All other stops have free or included admission.

Where Does The Tour Pick Up From?

Pickup and drop-off from your hotel or cruise ship is included. Alternatively, meet at the Takina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre on Cable Street, departing at 10:00 AM from the pickup lane on the Wakefield Street side. Arrive at least 15 minutes early.

How Long Is The Tour?

About five hours, ending back at the starting point. The sample itinerary includes stops ranging from 15 minutes at most lookouts up to 45 minutes at Shelly Bay, plus an included lunch.

Is The Tour Accessible For Wheelchairs And Children?

Participants need to enter and exit the van unassisted using steps and grab rails. A collapsible wheelchair with removable wheels can travel with a companion. Children are welcome when accompanied by an adult, infant seats are available, and pushchairs are accessible.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted, and cut-off times use local Wellington time. The tour also needs a minimum number of travellers to run; if it is cancelled for that reason, you are offered a different date or a full refund.