The Coolest Photo Spots In The Coolest Little Capital - Wellington, NZ!
- Helen
- Jan 5, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: May 28, 2019
Wellington in New Zealand might have a reputation as the coolest of little capitals but when it comes to the most picturesque and beautiful parts of New Zealand, Wellington is often not featured high on the list. This is perhaps unfair on a city that might be small but also packs a punch with natural beauty, historical sights, fine art, quirky spots and vibrant colours everywhere you go.
Visiting Wellington for the first time I have been overwhelmed by the number of photo opportunities fit for Instagram or for making friends and family green with envy!
Wellington has some incredibly cool photo and Instagram worthy spots, to show the world that the city really is the coolest of capitals!
10 Of The Coolest Photo Spots In Wellington
1. Cuba Street
One of Wellington's main streets to visit is Cuba Street. This is a hip and bohemian street, largely pedestrianised, offering a colourful and magical mix of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. The street has a relaxed and fun vibe, with buskers entertaining people from all walks of life out to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy themselves.
In 2018, Cuba Street was given a rainbow crossing, to contribute a Pride region to the city and ensure Wellington is seen to embrace diversity.
Cuba Street is also the location of Wellington's iconic Bucket Fountain - a colourful structure that was erected in 1969 and entertains young and old today.
Overall, Cuba Street offers cool and colourful opportunities to any photographer!
2. The Waterfront
Wellington is located on the southern tip of New Zealand's North Island, giving the city a fantastic waterfront.
The waterfront in the city must be one of the coolest parts to visit and certainly delivers on photo opportunities.
Wellington harbour provides the chance to capture images of the water, including boats ranging from sailing vessels to ships or liners.
Strolling along the harbour front are a range of bars and restaurants, with people on a good day lazing outdoors on bean bags, surrounded by a range of buildings with diverse architecture.
Pop up stalls and markets add more colour and talking points to the area, such as the pop up sauna during my visit!
Also located along the waterfront is another of the iconic structures in the city, Solace in the Wind - a statue of a naked man leaning into the water, seemingly against the wind. The location of this decade old statue is on a part of the waterfront that also offers great views back to the city and it's skyline.
Enjoying Wellington's waterfront is a must do part of any trip to the city and with camera in hand you will be kept occupied!
3. Mount Victoria Lookout
Rising 196 metres above the city and easily accessed from the centre of Wellington is Mount Victoria. Visiting the lookout at the top of Mount Victoria offers the most incredible 360 degree views.
Photo opportunities here include views down to the city of Wellington, the harbour and the ocean out to the south. On clear days you will capture ships sailing in and out of Wellington and planes flying to and from the nearby airport.
Don't worry - you don't have to walk up Mount Victoria either (unless you want to!). It is easy to access by car or bus too.
4. Wellington Harbour Boat Sheds
As you walk along Wellington waterfront towards Oriental Parade, you will find some colourful, very photogenic and Instagram worthy boat sheds.
Sitting in the harbour, with boats in front and the rising, affluent homes of Wellington behind, these sheds are in the perfect setting.
In addition, they are each painted identically in pale blue, red and yellow, offering a display of repeated colour.
The first of these sheds were designed and built in 1905, so they have been a part of the Wellington waterfront for quite some time!
I loved getting different angles of these fun and funky little buildings!
5. City To Sea Bridge
Providing easy pedestrian access from the waterfront to the main city in Wellington is the impressive piece of public artwork that is the City to Sea Bridge.
The bridge here was opened in 1994 after a competition was held to determine how to join the harbour with Civic Square. The result is a timber and concrete creation, with additional sculptures found upon it. The top of the bridge is designed to depict two birds with their wings open as a welcoming gesture.
The bridge and the sculptures offer so much to the photographer.
Taking shots of the bridge from afar, then walking across it and capturing images of the various sculptures and details will keep you happily occupied. Visit at different times to capture the bridge in a range of light settings.
6. Scorching Bay
Take the short drive (or bus) journey from central Wellington to the beautiful beach and bay area called Scorching Bay. A quiet spot that is more sheltered from Wellington's famous wind, it is a great place to bathe, enjoy the sun or watch the boats.
In addition to this, Scorching Bay offers a range of photo opportunities your Instagram followers will love!
There is a quirky and colourful Cafe called Scorch-o-Rama facing the bay which is great to capture (before or after refreshments!), alongside their bright seating area overlooking the beach and sea.
Fantastic images can also be taken of the beach and of the water, including any boats passing.
Definitely a good part of Wellington to visit for photos and for relaxation!
7. Wellington's Parliament Buildings
As New Zealand's coolest little capital, Wellington does of course also include the country's Parliament.
The Parliament in Wellington is made up of three neighbouring and adjoining buildings, all built at different times and in very different styles, spanning almost a century.
Each of these buildings are fun to capture on camera and popular with Instagram audiences!
From the very unusual, 'beehive' building opened in 1977 to Parliament House, occupied in 1918 and the oldest building, from 1899, Parliamentary Library.
You can visit and tour the three buildings here for free too (recommended) but photos inside are sadly forbidden... However, stroll the grounds of Wellington Parliament and grab some incredible images.
8. QT Hotel Wellington
The new QT Hotel in Wellington markets itself as a design driven hotel of, "art, design, curiosities and a dash of the absurd"!
Entering the hotel here you will discover a range of art exhibits set in a modern and uniquely designed interior. The hotel certainly delivers on curiosities and all are fun to capture on camera.... from a large cow made of corned beef cans, a post box made of a pair of colourful legs with stilettos and a motorbike in the corridor!
You do not need to be a guest in the hotel to visit and take some shots of the lobby and bar or lounge areas - I wandered in to look around and was not hindered!
I did though stay for coffee which was surprisingly affordable and a great, comfortable setting to sit and relax for a while... just in case you are in need of a caffeine hit!
9. Cable Car & Botanical Gardens
Travelling on the bright red Wellington Cable Car is another unique experience that the city offers and in doing so you will be spoilt with even more enviable chances to fill up your camera roll (yes, I am that old!).
From the top of the cable car lookout you can grab images of the cable cars themselves as they steadily carry passengers up and down the steep hill, alongside more breathtaking views back down to the city and harbour.
Strolling away from the Cable Car station at the top will find you in the award winning Botanical Gardens of Wellington, affording more views and an array of colours and spectacle in the flowers, plants and nature within.
Nestled up here too is the Carter Observatory, also worth taking a quick snap of!
Once you are done with shooting your images, you can easily stroll back down the hill through the gardens to the city.
10. Art Murals Throughout The City
One thing they do exceptionally well in New Zealand is not leave a blank wall blank! Colour and artwork is added in creative and thoughtful abundance and this is no less the case than in Wellington city.
A good place to start, while you are at the cable car station in Lambton Quay (preparing for photos in location number 9 above!), is the colourful and fun mural painted on the wall inside the station. This is very imaginative and makes popular Instagram images.
As you enjoy the rest of the city then look out for more mural photo opportunities.
There are some vibrantly painted public toilets in the centre of the city, a large David Bowie wall and an iconic painting on one building depicting the words Wellington with funky images around it!
Keep your eyes peeled though as there are many more than could ever be listed!
So, my list of the coolest photo spots in this coolest little capital is complete...
I loved Wellington and could keep going listing more places but I hope this has given you a taster of where you can go to capture images your followers and friends will love to see.
What in your opinion should be in this list?
Please share your thoughts with me!
If you are in Wellington and seeking other things to do, then check out my other posts on Wellington's museums which are not to be missed and the best markets in Wellington to visit.
**To make my travels possible and affordable I do so through international house-sitting, using both Trusted Housesitters and Kiwi Housesitters**
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