10 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Wellington - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Wellington

Wellington, New Zealand

Colossal Squid

The world's only complete colossal squid specimen is on display at the Te Papa Museum.

Wellington, New Zealand

Mrs. Chippy Monument

A bronze kitty adorns the grave of the polar explorer who brought the original feline to the Antarctic.

Wellington, New Zealand

Wrights Hill Fortress

Anyone wanting to know what a dwarven mine sounds like need only visit the tunnels of this New Zealand artillery compound.

Wellington, New Zealand

Wellington Cable Car

New Zealand's only running funicular railway.

Wellington, New Zealand

Moniac Machine

A strange machine made to evaluate the world economy using water and lots of tubes.

Wellington, New Zealand

Weta Cave

Inside this faux cave, visitors can learn how some of their favorite fantasy characters were created.

Wellington, New Zealand

Quasi

The 16-foot sculpture of a hand looks out from his perch on top of an art gallery.

Wellington, New Zealand

Old Bank Arcade Animated Musical Clock

A charmingly old-fashioned reminder of the historic building's former life.

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Atlas Obscura Trips

Wings & Wonders: Birds of New Zealand

Explore the spectacular birdlife, biodiversity, and natural wonder of Aotearoa alongside seasoned conservationists.

Explore Wellington, New Zealand

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Wellington Leaderboard

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Stories About Wellington

This dessert from <em>Hiakai</em> features pears poached in <em>manono</em> tree bark with <em>horopito</em> (pepper tree) ice cream and almond "soil" made of toasted almonds and crushed biscuits.

Feast on This Guide to Modern Māori Cooking

A groundbreaking book celebrates New Zealand's indigenous cuisine.

by Reina Gattuso

January 28, 2021

During a 2012 restitution ceremony at Quai Branly museum in Paris, black fabric and silver fern leaves cover 20 preserved Maori heads.

Trapped in Museums for Centuries, Maori Ancestors Are Coming Home

New Zealand’s repatriation program brings human remains back and lays them to rest.

by Ye Charlotte Ming

January 14, 2021

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