Find the best shopping in Wellington, NZ while on a cruise

Upon your cruise ship’s arrival in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, many visitors lament that it’s not as big as Auckland — the nation’s largest city — and probably lacks a variety of shopping and entertainment options. How wrong these critics are! Wellington may be small, but it’s densely packed with many retailers. The compact city is easy to navigate and visitor’s guides are abundant.

So when you pull into port in Wellington on your Australia/New Zealand cruise, here are the areas we recommend you check out:

Courtenay Quarter – If you’re feeling a bit homesick, spend some time in this area, full of many American-style bars and stores. But for everything uniquely made in New Zealand, check out Simply New Zealand for merino wool knitwear, jewelry, sheepskins, and more.

Lambton Quay – You’ll find a variety of retailers here including bookstores, shoe stores and music shops. If you’re looking for fashion for the curvy frame then check out In-House Body Gorgeous 16+.

Photo courtesy of In-House Body Gorgeous 16+

Be sure to check out the premium “pre-loved” designer clothing at Eva’s Attic.

Photo courtesy of Eva’s Attic

Lambton Quay is also home to Kirkcaldie & Stains, one of New Zealand’s most famous department stores, which has been in continuous operation since 1863.

Kirkcaldie & Stains

Cuba Street – This is probably the quirkiest shopping district in all of Wellington. Come here to have your palm read, get a tattoo, browse the vintage stores, or buy some of the finest contemporary art in New Zealand. If you love the best of vintage clothing then be sure to stop by Hunters & Collectors and check out their unique collections.

Photo courtesy of Hunters & Collectors

If you’re a record collector, then check out the vinyl collection at Slow Boat Records.

Photo courtesy of Slow Boat Records

Tinakori Road Village – This historic area is a bit tamer than Cuba Street. This area is filled with antique shops, recycled clothing, art galleries, book stores, and more.

Are you ready to embark on an exciting trip to New Zealand? Let our cruise specialists at CruiseExperts.com do the hard work for you. Contact us by calling 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784) or visiting our website, www.CruiseExperts.com, or emailing us at info@cruiseexperts.com. We can take care of all your travel details so that you can focus on having a good time and enjoying your vacation!  Ask for Jeremy or Rachel, our Australia/New Zealand cruise experts.

To stay updated with what’s “hot” in ocean cruising and receive information on hot deals, sign up for our Inner Circle or “like” us on Facebook.