The best museums in Wellington in September 2025

These are the top 10 best museums in Wellington, New Zealand, ranked by their rating and popularity in 2025. Click a museum for more information about the museum, including visitor information, exhibitions and reviews.

For a complete overview of museums in Wellington, their exhibitions and discount cards & passes, see our overview page with all museums in Wellington.

Looking for the best museums in Wellington? These are the best ones:

  1. The Wētā Cave1

    The Wētā Cave

     Wellington
    Place where extraordinary things happen! This workshop creates facilities for Hollywood movies such as Avatar, Lord of the Rings or King Kong.
  2. City Gallery Wellington2

    City Gallery Wellington

     Wellington
    City Gallery Wellington is an art gallery located in the heart of New Zealand's capital, Wellington. It is operated by the Wellington Museums Trust, with the majority of its funding coming from the Wellington City Council. This gallery is a significant cultural institution in the city, showcasing a variety of art forms and styles.
  3. Space Place3

    Space Place

     Wellington
    Space Place at Carter Observatory is a significant location in Wellington, New Zealand. It is situated at the top of the Wellington Botanic Garden, offering a unique combination of natural beauty and scientific exploration. The observatory is a public museum and planetarium with a focus on space and New Zealand astronomy, making it an interesting destination for tourists interested in these fields.
  4. Cable Car Museum4

    Cable Car Museum

     Wellington
    Enter freely into the museum which brings alive the old cable cars once driving in the city. Try to image the old elegant days.
  5. Nairn Street Cottage5

    Nairn Street Cottage

     Wellington
    Nairn Street Cottage, located in the suburb of Mount Cook in Wellington, holds the distinction of being the city's oldest original cottage. Constructed in 1858 by the Wallis family, the cottage stands as a testament to the early British colonists and their descendants who lived there for three generations. The cottage was built in a late Georgian style, similar to other houses built during that period.
  6. Archives New Zealand6

    Archives New Zealand

     Wellington
  7. Katherine Mansfield House & Garden7

    Katherine Mansfield House & Garden

     Wellington
  8. New Zealand Portrait Gallery8

    New Zealand Portrait Gallery

     Wellington
    The New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata is located in the Waterfront Shed 11 building in Wellington, New Zealand. This art gallery is a significant cultural institution in the city, offering visitors a chance to explore a diverse collection of portraits featuring works by, and of, New Zealanders.
  9. New Zealand Cricket Museum9

    New Zealand Cricket Museum

     Wellington
    The Basin Reserve, fondly referred to as 'The Basin', is a cricket stadium located in Wellington, New Zealand. It was inaugurated in the year 1868, making it the oldest cricket stadium in the country. This historical significance adds to the charm of the stadium, making it a point of interest for tourists visiting Wellington.
  10. Reserve Bank of New Zealand10

    Reserve Bank of New Zealand

     Wellington
    The Reserve Bank of New Zealand was established in its current form in 1934 by the then Finance Minister, Gordon Coates. This historical event marked a significant milestone in the financial history of New Zealand. As a tourist, learning about this could provide you with a deeper understanding of the country's economic evolution.

All museums in Wellington