After arriving, drop bags and head to Cuba Street for a lively coffee and brunch-try a table at a café with outdoor seating to watch buskers and boutique shops. Then stroll down to [Te Aro Farmers Market](https://www.google.com/search?q=Te+Aro+Farmers+Market+Wellington+for+5+days+for+three+people+official+site) (if open) or explore the quirky boutiques around Willis Street, finishing with a relaxed riverside walk along the Clyde Quay Wharf to soak in harbour views and plan the afternoon's waterfront exploration.
Head down to Queens Wharf for an easy seaside amble, popping into the interactive exhibits at [City Gallery Wellington](https://citygallery.org.nz/visit) if you want contemporary art without straying far from the water. Continue along the waterfront to [Frank Kitts Park](https://www.google.com/search?q=Frank+Kitts+Park+Wellington+for+5+days+for+three+people+official+site), grab ice cream from a nearby vendor, and finish with a relaxed pint or small-plate meal at The L'affare Waterfront (or a similar harbourside bar) while watching ferries glide past as the city transitions into evening.
As twilight settles, wander up to [Mount Victoria Lookout](https://www.google.com/search?q=Mount+Victoria+Lookout+Wellington+for+5+days+for+three+people+official+site) for sweeping sunset views over the harbour, then descend into the compact heart of the city to sample craft beers and shareable plates at The Rogue and Vagabond or a cosy gastro-pub nearby. Finish the night with live music or a cocktail at Shed 5 on the waterfront, where you can linger over harbour lights and chat about plans for the rest of your Wellington stay.
Start your day with a hearty brunch at Fidel's Cafe on Cuba Street, then head to Te Papa Tongarewa for the museum's morning guided highlights tour-don't miss the Māori taonga and the colossal earthquake house experience. After the museum, wander through the adjacent [Waterfront Sculpture Walk](https://www.google.com/search?q=Waterfront+Sculpture+Walk+Wellington+for+5+days+for+three+people+official+site), pause for coffee at Prefab overlooking the harbour, and catch a short ferry or shuttle to Kumutoto Precinct for contemporary public art and riverside views before lunch.
After a morning at Te Papa and the waterfront, take the short stroll to Cuba Street's alleyways to hunt for colourful street art and vintage shops, then join a guided tasting at Hashigo Zake or another craft-beer bar for flights showcasing Wellington's breweries. Finish with a scenic ride on the Wellington Cable Car up to the Kelburn lookout, wander the Botanic Garden's lower walking paths and glasshouse, and sip a late-afternoon coffee at the café near the top while enjoying panoramic city views.
As dusk falls, wander to Oriental Bay for a leisurely seaside stroll and watch the city lights shimmer across the water, then follow the promenade toward the lively Cuba Quarter to sample small plates at a tapas-style restaurant or book a table at a chef-driven eatery for seasonal NZ cuisine. After dinner, catch an intimate performance or comedy show at BATS Theatre, or head to Havana Bar for creative cocktails while discussing highlights from your Te Papa visit and plotting tomorrow's adventures.
Catch an early ride on the Wellington Cable Car from Lambton Quay and step off to explore the [Cable Car Museum](https://www.google.com/search?q=Cable+Car+Museum+Wellington+for+5+days+for+three+people+official+site) and its vintage engineering displays before a relaxed walk through the sun-dappled lower slopes of the Botanic Garden (visit the Begonia House and the native bush trail). From there, descend via the scenic Lady Norwood Rose Garden for a picnic breakfast on the terraces, then pop into Carter Observatory for a short planetarium show and sweeping city-and-harbour vistas to set you up for the day's higher-elevation explorations.
From the Botanic Garden slopes, head back into town via the quaint, mural-lined paths to Kelburn Village where you can browse local artisan shops and grab a flat white at The Larder Café; linger on the terrace for views over the city. Continue with a stroll through the nearby Ohiro Road neighbourhood to discover colourful street art and boutique galleries, then take a short bus or ride to Mount Victoria Reserve for an easy loop walk to the lookout-perfect for late-afternoon panoramas before an early evening refreshment at LoganBrown or another nearby dining spot.
As twilight deepens, wander down into the funky heart of the city for dinner at Matterhorn Kitchen & Bar or another chef-driven spot on Cuba Street, then head to The Fringe Bar for inventive cocktails and a relaxed vibe. After drinks, take a short stroll to [Frank Kitts Park](https://www.google.com/search?q=Frank+Kitts+Park+Wellington+for+5+days+for+three+people+official+site) to enjoy the harbour breeze and seasonal outdoor events, or catch a live jazz set at Meow - Waterfront for a cosy late-night music finish.
Begin with a hands-on guided tour at Weta Workshop where the group can see practical effects, prop-making demonstrations, and try on replica armour-book the early session to beat crowds and dive into film-making craft. After the tour, wander the nearby Cuba Quarter for brunch at a café with local pastries, then walk through the leafy lanes to the creative hub of [Te Aro Park](https://www.google.com/search?q=Te+Aro+Park+Wellington+for+5+days+for+three+people+official+site), pausing at pop-up stalls or street art installations as you make a relaxed transition toward the waterfront for your afternoon seaside plans.
After Weta, take a short taxi or bus to Mount Victoria Reserve for an easy loop that rewards you with panoramic harbour views and great photo spots; follow the trail down through the native bush to the seaside. Continue to Oriental Bay to rent a stand-up paddleboard or electric cruiser for a gentle paddle along the bay, then dry off with gelato from Parnell's or coffee at Boomrock Café, before settling on the sands to watch ferries glide past as the afternoon eases toward sunset.
After a relaxed seaside afternoon, head to Cuba Street's Midnight Baker for inventive wood-fired pizzas and shareable small plates in a lively, late-evening atmosphere, then stroll to Te Papa's Sculpture Terrace (just beyond opening hours the terrace is peaceful) to admire harbour lights and evening sculptures. Finish with nightcaps at Golding's Free Dive, a cosy cocktail bar with seafood-focused bites and a friendly local vibe, perfect for comparing highlights from the day's Weta tour and waterfront paddle.
Set out early for a guided dawn feeding walk at Zealandia (Karori Wildlife Sanctuary) to spot kōkako, tūī and the cheeky tuatara while learning about the sanctuary's predator-free restoration work; finish with coffee and brunch at the onsite Zealandia Café overlooking native bush. Alternatively, head south for the dramatic cliffs of the Red Rocks Coastal Walk, where you can scan for fur seals, visit the volcanic Red Rocks (Pari) / Whareroa Bay formations at low tide, and refuel with morning pastries at The Chocolate Fish Café in Island Bay before continuing your coastal exploration.
If you chose Zealandia in the morning, spend the afternoon wandering the restored valley's outer trails to the Polhill Lookout for sweeping city-and-forest views, then join a late guided spotlighting walk from the Zealandia visitor centre to catch nocturnal birdlife emerging. Alternatively, if you took the south-coast route, continue with a relaxed coastal amble from Matariki Beach toward the dramatic sea stacks at Red Rocks/Whareroa Bay (timed with low tide), finish at Island Bay Village for fish-and-chip takeaway and coffee while comparing highlights from the day's wildlife and coastal encounters.
After a day of wildlife spotting or coastal cliffs, head to Polhill Café & Lookout for a relaxed early-evening drink and panoramic views as the sun softens, then drive back toward the city for a riverside dinner at Haché Burger Bar in Island Bay for casual shared plates and local beers. Finish the night with a gentle post-dinner stroll along Lyall Bay Promenade, listening to surf and comparing highlights from Zealandia or the South Coast while hunting for a cosy dessert spot or late-night gelato before turning in.