Wellington / 10 photo spots
10 Instagram spots around Wellington
Wellington’s harbour, hills and streets offer subjects ranging from a red cable car to native forest and waterfront sculpture.
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Photo spots on the map
2 of 10 photo ideas have sourced location coordinates. The initial view is for orientation. An area marker does not indicate an exact photo position.
Select a highlighted number to show its sourced location on the map. Every name links to the photo spot.
If the map does not load, use the OpenStreetMap link or the photo spot list.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Destination reference: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Spot coordinates: Wikidata, CC0. Selection, association and some calculations by You, Me, Away.
Te Papa Tongarewa
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa stands on Wellington’s waterfront. Photograph its exterior in the context of the harbour, using the space around the museum to show where the building meets the city.
Search Google MapsWellington Cable Car
The red Wellington Cable Car runs between Lambton Quay and Kelburn. Make the car the focus of a close photograph, or include the upper terminal and the city view for a wider sense of its hillside setting.
Search Google MapsMount Victoria Lookout
Mount Victoria offers a panorama of the city, harbour and surrounding hills. Give the water enough space in a wide frame, with the buildings below providing scale and the hills forming the horizon.
Search Google MapsBucket Fountain
The Bucket Fountain is a kinetic sculpture on Cuba Street. Frame the buckets against the surrounding street, or make a closer image that concentrates on their shapes and the movement of the water.
Search Google MapsWellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā
Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā includes plant collections, native forest and views across the city. A path or planted border can lead the eye through the foreground while the slope provides depth behind it.
Search Google MapsZealandia Te Māra a Tāne
Zealandia is a fenced sanctuary with regenerating forest in a Wellington valley. Rather than relying on a wildlife sighting, compose with the trees and a path; native birds may add an unexpected detail if they appear.
Search Google MapsOriental Bay
Oriental Bay sits at the southeastern end of Wellington’s waterfront. Use the beach as a foreground line and include the water beyond it for a photograph that shows the relationship between the city and harbour.
Search Google MapsWellington Writers Walk
Wellington Writers Walk places quotations by New Zealand writers along the waterfront. Choose one inscription as your subject and include part of the harbour around it, so the words retain their setting in the photograph.
Search Google MapsThe Beehive
The Beehive is the popular name for the executive wing of New Zealand’s parliamentary complex. Photograph the building from outside and let its distinctive rounded shape dominate the image against the neighbouring structures.
Search Google MapsWELL_NGTON waterfront sign
The waterfront sculpture near Te Papa spells WELL_NGTON with a space in place of the letter I. Include the harbour in the background or use the open space as the centre of a playful portrait.
Search Google Maps