Sight guide · Wellington · New Zealand
Visiting Old St Paul's
Built in 1866 from native timbers, this Gothic Revival church has a dark, beautifully crafted wooden interior and stained-glass windows.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Szilas, Public domain
Quick answer
Old St Paul's is a religious site in Thorndon, Wellington. Allow 30 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Religious site
- Area
- Thorndon
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- architecture, history, free and off the beaten path
- Best months
- January, April and November
About Old St Paul's
Built in 1866 from native timbers, this Gothic Revival church has a dark, beautifully crafted wooden interior and stained-glass windows. No longer a parish church, it is used for concerts and weddings and is open to visitors.
Tip: Combine it with Parliament and Thorndon's historic streets on a walking loop.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 30 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Thorndon, wooden villas, embassies and Wellington's oldest streets.
Best time to visit Old St Paul's
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- November: 17°C (63°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- April: 17°C (63°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- January: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Wellington has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Old St Paul's is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Te Papa Tongarewa and Wellington Cable Car.
- No. 16 of the 18 sights in our Wellington things-to-do list.
- Listed in free things to do in Wellington.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Wellington.
Near Old St Paul's
Also in Thorndon, so you can walk between them:
- Katherine Mansfield House and Garden — 1 hour, low cost
If you like Old St Paul's
- Te Papa Tongarewa — Te Aro, 3–4 hours
- Parliament and the Beehive — Lambton Quay and CBD, 1 hour
- Wellington Museum — Lambton Quay and CBD, 1 hour
- Matiu/Somes Island — Wellington Harbour, Half a day
Staying near Old St Paul's
Stay in Thorndon ($$$) to walk here: wooden villas, embassies and Wellington's oldest streets. All areas to stay in Wellington.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Old St Paul's?
Plan 30 minutes. With Katherine Mansfield House and Garden nearby, it fits a half-day in Thorndon.
+Is Old St Paul's free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Old St Paul's?
January, April and November, the quietest of the good months. Combine it with Parliament and Thorndon's historic streets on a walking loop.
+Do I need to book Old St Paul's in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.