If you’re on the prowl for some cute and fun date ideas this weekend but don’t know where to start, we can help you out. We looked far and wide to come up with this list of the best activities for couples in Wellington that won’t cost you. 

So if you’re on a budget but don’t want to scrimp on quality time with your date, we got you! 

After all, it’s not about how pricey a date is. It’s the memories you create and the connection you have with your partner that matters. 

That being said, let’s go over the ideas on our list. 

1. Go stargazing at Sinclair Park.

ADDRESS	Houghton Bay, Wellington 6023, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	N/A
OPERATING HOURS	24/7
COST	FREE

Who’s up for a night gazing at the stars with your significant other? This activity is free, accessible, and romantic. 

Just bring a trusty blanket you can sit on and you can even bring some hot cocoa to share. The park has a lot of open grassed space so it’s easy to find a good spot. 

Sinclair Park is opposite Te Raekaihau headland, which has gorgeous views. The park also has a car park so it’s very convenient. 

There are also picnic tables, seating, and even tennis courts. So it’s a great park to go to even during the day. 

If it’s your first time to do this activity, here are some stargazing tips: 

• Make sure to check the weather forecast before doing this activity. You don’t want the view to be blocked by clouds. 
• Dress for the weather. Nights can get chilly! 
• Allow your eyes to get used to the darkness. Astronomers refer to this process as “dark adaptation” which takes around 30 minutes. 
• Download stargazing applications on your phone to guide you. 

2. Take a walk at the Wellington Botanic Garden.

Image from Garden Visit

ADDRESS	101 Glenmore Street, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	+64 4 499 1400
OPERATING HOURS	24/7
COST	Entrance is FREE; Guided tours cost $4 per person.

The Wellington Botanic Garden covers 25 hectares. They have specialized plant collections, unique landscapes, beautiful botanical displays, and protected native plants. 

There’s always something so comforting about seeing different kinds of plants and flowers blooming here. You can also enjoy gorgeous views of the city in this garden. 

Enjoy a fun date walking around this place while having great conversations. If you want a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, you’ll never go wrong with spending a quiet afternoon here. 

You can check out this free map for directions and parking information. We find this place convenient and accessible. 

3. Enjoy a trip to Wētā Cave.

Image from Atlas Obscura

ADDRESS	1 Weka Street, Miramar, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	+64 4 909 4035
OPERATING HOURS	Monday-Sunday (9:30 AM- 5 PM)
COST	Entrance is FREE; Guided tours costs start at  $25.00 per person.

If your date is a movie buff, then you’ll enjoy a trip to the Wētā Cave for sure. You’ll get to see collectibles, prop replicas, art prints, gifts, jewelry, apparel, and other movie memorabilia from famous films like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Alita: Battle Angel. 

It’s amazing that you get to see what goes on behind the scenes of movies. It’s a treat especially if you’re a fan of the movies they produced. 

You’ll feel like a little kid again looking at the different prop replicas. Even though entrance is free, we highly suggest that you sign up for a guided tour where you will pay a small fee. 

4. Enjoy a picnic at Scorching Bay.

Image from Wellington City Council

ADDRESS	Google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/KnHELuk42cQTQ4jo9
OPERATING HOURS	N/A
COST	FREE

For a low-cost date, why not prepare a few sandwiches and some juice and find a nice secluded spot in Scorching Bay with your significant other? The view here is fantastic, making for a nice break from the city. 

Scorching Bay is a popular inner-harbor bathing beach. It has a large grassy area and is a great place to soak up some sun and enjoy a quick dip. 

You can also watch the ships go by here. It’s a nice and quiet place to relax and get to know each other at a deeper level while enjoying a beautiful view. 

We think the place is so pretty, it can even be a wedding venue. 

5. Read some books together and have a working date at Te Awe Library.

ADDRESS	29 Brandon Street, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	+64 4 801 3529
OPERATING HOURS	Monday-Thursday (8 AM- 8 PM); Friday (8 AM- 6 PM); Weekends (9:30 AM- 5 PM)
COST	FREE

If you’re both bookworms and enjoy working together side by side, then a trip to the library is a fun, quiet, and relaxing way to spend your day together. 

Surrounded by the smell of books and with fast Wi-Fi, you’ll be productive and still get some quality time with each other – talk about the best of both worlds! 

​Te Awe Library is actually the third and final pop-up library that opened due to the temporary closure of the Wellington Central Library. 

It’s located on two floors of a refurbished heritage building and won the 2021 New Zealand Institute of Architects public architecture award for its design. 

We love that it has a wide and varied collection. Here are just some of the collections you can access: 

•  World Languages
•  Magazines & Newspapers
•  Adult Large Print
•  Māori Collection
•  Vinyl
•  Graphic Novels

There’s also wheelchair access and lots of parking available. You can use the computers, printers, photocopiers, and scanners there. 

There are also bookable meeting rooms if you need them. Overall, it’s a great public library that you can enjoy with your significant other. 

6. Visit the Te Papa Museum (Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa).

Image from Museums of the World

ADDRESS	55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	+64 4 381 7000
OPERATING HOURS	Monday-Sunday (10 AM-6 PM)
COST	FREE; charges apply to some short-term exhibitions and events

With beautiful architecture and over six storeys of interactive exhibitions, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is a definite must-see. Te Papa Tongarewa translates to “container of treasures”, which we can fully attest to. 

The museum is clever and contemporary. Going here is an educational and exciting experience. 

You and your date will have so many things to talk about here. You can easily spend a whole day here just taking everything in. 

They have a lot of exhibitions, events, and even guided tours. Although entrance to the museum is free, you will have to pay a small fee for the guided tours. 

The Te Papa Tour costs $20.00 per person. You can book your tickets here. 

There are also other kinds of tours offered. So check out their list and see which one resonates with you the most. 

7. Go hiking at Mt. Kaukau.

Image from Wellington Regional Trails

ADDRESS	Google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/gr1cKapLUrYJuow78
OPERATING HOURS	24/7
COST	FREE

If you’re the type of couple who enjoys physical activity, then this is an activity that you can do. Hiking Mt. Kaukau is a joy because of the fantastic views of the Wellington hilltops and harbor as well as the native forest. 

It’s a good break from the city. It’s a chance to breathe fresh air and connect with nature together. 

This is a good way to get some exercise as well outside of the usual gym and yoga studio. 

Mount Kaukau is known as the most visible high point in the Wellington landscape, so imagine how immaculate the view from the summit is. 

Take note of the entrance and exit points. Tracks to this mountain start at Woodmancote Road and Simla Crescent in Khandallah, Truscott Avenue in Johnsonville, and Sirsi Terrace in Broadmeadows. 

We also like that there’s ample parking at Woodmancote Road and Truscott Avenue. So it’s convenient even if you drive up there. 

8. Enjoy a day at the Wellington Museum. 

Image from Viator

ADDRESS	3 Jervois Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	+64 4 472 8904
OPERATING HOURS	Monday-Sunday (10 AM- 5 PM)
COST	FREE general admission (excludes special events)

Here’s another museum in Wellington that deserves a visit. The Wellington Museum is found at the heart of the city’s waterfront. 

This museum was voted by The Times as one of the top 50 museums in the world. It has over four floors and their collections tell the stories of the region. 

The museum’s collections go over the history of Wellington; the city’s maritime history, the early Māori and European settlement, and other details about the city. You’ll get the chance to watch a series of films about Wellington, which are all very interesting.  

It’s a great date idea because you’ll have loads to discuss. 

It’s a great chance to pick your date’s brain about the fascinating things you’ll learn at the museum. 

You can easily spend a whole afternoon here. It’s definitely a relaxing and enjoyable experience. 

9. Go jogging at the Wellington Waterfront Walk.

Image from New Zealand

ADDRESS	Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	N/A
OPERATING HOURS	24/7
COST	FREE

Another cheap date idea is to go jogging or walking at the Wellington Waterfront. You can even bring your bicycle, scooter, or hoverboard and just enjoy the nice view. 

There are also a lot of artworks and sculptures that you can admire along the walk. One plaque there commemorates Paddy the Wanderer. 

Paddy is a dog turned local celebrity taken care of by the seamen, waterside workers, and taxi drivers from 1928 to 1939. As you can see, there’s a lot of interesting history tidbits to discover here. 

If you get hungry, there are various restaurants and cafes you can go to. 

Getting here is pretty easy. It’s a short walk from the Wellington Railway Station. If you have a car, there’s also ample parking space near the Waterfront. 

10. Soak up some art and culture at City Gallery Wellington.

Image from City Gallery

ADDRESS	Te Ngākau Civic Square, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
CONTACT DETAILS	+64 4 913 9032
OPERATING HOURS	Monday-Sunday (10 AM- 5 PM)
COST	FREE

If you and your date are fans of contemporary art, you’ll definitely enjoy a trip to City Gallery Wellington. They have various exhibitions, events, and other programs worth checking out. 

The exhibitions regularly change so there’s always something new to check out here, which we like. Most of the exhibitions don’t charge a fee so you can enjoy the art here anytime. 

We also love that they offer weekend tours free of charge. The museum tour guides are friendly and knowledgeable, they make sure to answer all your questions. 

You will be introduced to the current exhibitions. Booking is not really necessary, you can just talk to one of their guides when you get there. 

They also hold different kinds of events. You can check them all on their website. 

Most of the events are free. Some events, however, require fees. 

So if you want to know how much you have to shell out, you can check out the website in advance. 

Going here is always an interesting and fascinating experience. It’s a great place to soak up some art and culture. 

You’ll most likely find a piece that you resonate with. It’s a great chance to get to know your date and hear their thoughts about art. 

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That concludes our list of the top activities you can enjoy in Wellington where you don’t have to spend a thing! We truly believe it’s not about how expensive a date is. 

It’s really about the connection you make and the lively conversations you have. We hope we were able to help you think of great date ideas you and your significant other can try. 

Did we miss out on any good date ideas in the city? Let us know your thoughts! 

We’d definitely want to hear from all of you! Let us know as well if you try the activities on this list. 

By the way, for more things to do in Wellington, check out these related articles: 

• Volunteer Services Wellington
• Virtual Tours in New Zealand