Historical Buildings Walking Tour, Wellington

Historical Buildings Walking Tour (Self Guided), Wellington

The first immigrants to New Zealand brought along their sense of style. Most of the country's first settlers, if not all of them, were Britishers; the capital city was no exception. The latter fact is duly reflected in Wellington's historical architecture. These buildings offer a glimpse into the city's past and add a great deal of charm to the cityscape. Let's take a quick look at some of these notable landmarks.

Wellington Railway Station: This iconic transportation hub is a symbol of Wellington's development, welcoming travelers from all corners of New Zealand.

The stunning wooden Old Saint Paul's church, not far off, dates back to the mid-19th century. It showcases the Gothic Revival style and is a historical and cultural gem in the true sense of the word.

A magnificent example of Palladian architecture, the Sacred Heart Cathedral is not only a place of worship but also a testament to the city's spiritual heritage.

Nestled within the parliamentary precinct, the elegant building of the New Zealand Parliamentary Library houses a vast collection of knowledge and history, making it an essential part of Wellington's cultural landscape.

The Old Government Buildings represent the largest wooden structure in the Southern Hemisphere. This neoclassical edifice is a testament to Wellington's colonial history.

Turnbull House: This historic mansion, once a family home, today reminds us of Wellington's yesteryear. Its Victorian architecture stands out amid modern surroundings.

A testament to the city's commercial history, the Old Bank Shopping Arcade is a major shopping destination, blending the old with the new.

More than just relics of the past, these and other architectural gems of Wellington are the living symbols of its culture. We encourage everyone to take this self-guided tour and discover the stories these buildings have to tell, as they continue shaping the city's identity and future.
How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Historical Buildings Walking Tour Map

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Guide Location: New Zealand » Wellington (See other walking tours in Wellington)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

WalkBuilder (customize this walk or build your own)


Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.
Click here to view route map
Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
Walk Name*:
Email*:

Frequently Asked Questions


1. How do I access my walking tour in Wellington?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Wellington Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Wellington?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Wellington, New Zealand

Create Your Own Walk in Wellington

Create Your Own Walk in Wellington

Creating your own self-guided walk in Wellington is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Wellington Introduction Walking Tour

Wellington Introduction Walking Tour

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and the country's second-largest city after Auckland. It also has the distinction of being the world's windiest city by average wind speed.

The city was designed by Captain William Mein Smith in 1840. He was the first Surveyor General for Edward Wakefield's New Zealand Company. The name comes from Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles