Haka House Wellington enjoys a wonderful downtown location within a short walk of the iconic Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the city’s picturesque waterfront and various tourist activities in Wellington – New Zealand’s buzzing capital city.
With a choice of private and shared room accommodation that’s cosy, comfy and stylish, and guest facilities that include two fully equipped kitchens, a dining and living room, movie room, pool table and foosball table, dart board, laundry and free Wi-Fi, this new Wellington hostel with harbour views is sure to become a favourite home-away-from-home for many travelers to the capital.
Haka House Wellington guests keen to take advantage of their property’s central location will quickly discover there are many wonderful free things to do in Wellington on foot. A great place to start is at the nearby waterfront where there’s a seaside reserve just for pedestrians. There are restaurants here, and also Wellington Museum. From Queens Wharf the harbour can be followed around past Te Papa and Chaffers Marina to Oriental Bay, where there’s cafes and a stretch of golden sand.
For a touch of culture, a visit to Te Papa – New Zealand’s national museum – is a must. The Maori name Te Papa Tongarewa literally means ‘container of treasures’, and the museum’s collections span five areas – art, history, Pacific, Maori and the natural environment. A landmark building in the city, the museum boasts over 800,000 artworks, cultural artefacts, historical archives and scientific specimens.
Another of the must-do activities in Wellington that’s a short walk from Haka House Wellington is the famous cable car that travels between Lambton Quay and Kelburn Village. Opened in 1902 and today the country’s only remaining funicular railway, the five minute ride offers great views and at the top there’s the Wellington Cable Car Museum to visit. The Wellington Botanic Garden is also located here, encompassing 25 hectares of specialised plant collections, colourful botanical displays and a protected native forest.
Another spot from which to soak up spectacular panoramic views of the city and surroundings – and among the top free things to do in Wellington – is the top of Mount Victoria. Rising 196 m above the city, Mt Vic as it’s known locally is a great place to bring along a picnic and settle in on the hillside to watch the ferries and cruise ships sailing into and out of the harbour and planes flying in and out of the airport.
A 15 minute walk from Haka House Wellington is Cuba Street, known for its bohemian nature, cafes, op-shops, music venues, restaurants, bookshops, heritage architecture and general ‘quirkiness’. It’s a place celebrated for its character and social life, and is one of the city’s top tourist areas.
Those who love the magic of movies will love the fact that Weta Workshop, known for its Academy Award®-winning special effects and prop work on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies among other blockbuster films, is based in Wellington and that it offers behind the scenes tours to the public. Visitors can try their hand at making props or creating gruesome wounds with makeup, and there’s also the Weta Cave retail shop which is guarded by giant trolls.
Close encounters with some of the wildlife at Wellington Zoo – a 10 minute drive from Haka House Wellington – is among the particularly memorable activities in Wellington to enjoy. The 13-hectare zoo is home to more than 500 animals, from tigers, meerkats and sun bears to lemurs, chimpanzees, giraffes and a bunch more.
Still on the wild side, Zealandia is the world’s first fully fenced, predator-free ecosanctuary and is just 10 minutes’ drive from Lambton Quay. Time magazine named this as one of the 100 greatest places on the planet, 225 hectares of regenerating forest and birdlife that is the closest thing to experiencing what New Zealand was like before humans. Visitors can explore Zealandia by themselves, with 32 km of track on offer, or take a day or night tour.
As the southern hemisphere welcomes the cooler embrace of autumn, New Zealand transforms into a canvas of warm hues and crisp, inviting weather. Autumn in New Zealand, stretching from March to May, is a spectacle of nature not to be missed. Experience the stunning autumnal colours, diverse activities, and breathtaking landscapes each region has to offer.
Whether it’s on the water, through the mountains, over the racecourse, or in the rugby stands, New Zealand’s sports scene is set to thrill. As you plot which events to participate in or watch in 2025, consider pairing your adventure with comfort and convenience by staying at Haka House.
Wondering where to eat and drink in Queenstown? There’s plenty of foodie spots, including a wide range of great cafes and restaurants to explore. Whether you’re craving burgers or sweet treats, we’ve got you covered. Here are some yummy spots to add to your itinerary!
The road trip from Queenstown up to Lake Tekapo (or vice versa) is a really lovely journey, definitely worth taking. Along the way, you’ll experience breathtaking landscapes and charming towns that will make you want to stop quite often to soak it all in. This road trip offers a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.