Sight guide · Wellington · New Zealand
Visiting Parliament and the Beehive
New Zealand's Parliament buildings include the Edwardian Parliament House, the Gothic Parliamentary Library and the circular Beehive, the executive wing designed by Basil Spence and completed in the late 1970s.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Parliament and the Beehive is an architectural landmark in Lambton Quay and CBD, Wellington. Allow 1 hour; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Architecture
- Area
- Lambton Quay and CBD
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, architecture, history and rainy day
- Best months
- June–August
About Parliament and the Beehive
New Zealand's Parliament buildings include the Edwardian Parliament House, the Gothic Parliamentary Library and the circular Beehive, the executive wing designed by Basil Spence and completed in the late 1970s. Free guided tours start from the visitor centre.
Tip: Join a free guided tour; when the House is sitting you can also watch debates from the public gallery.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Lambton Quay and CBD, the main shopping street, government buildings and the cable car terminal.
Best time to visit Parliament and the Beehive
Parliament and the Beehive is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- June: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- July: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- August: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Wellington has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Wellington itinerary visits Parliament and the Beehive on day 2, together with Wellington Cable Car, Wellington Museum and Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne.
- No. 8 of the 18 sights in our Wellington things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Wellington.
- One of the picks in wellington on a rainy day.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Wellington.
Near Parliament and the Beehive
Also in Lambton Quay and CBD, so you can walk between them:
- Wellington Museum — 1 hour, free
- Wellington Cable Car — 1 hour with the lookout, low cost
If you like Parliament and the Beehive
- Te Papa Tongarewa — Te Aro, 3–4 hours
- Old St Paul's — Thorndon, 30 minutes
- Katherine Mansfield House and Garden — Thorndon, 1 hour
Staying near Parliament and the Beehive
Stay in Lambton Quay and CBD ($$$) to walk here: the main shopping street, government buildings and the cable car terminal. All areas to stay in Wellington.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Parliament and the Beehive?
Plan 1 hour. With Wellington Museum nearby, it fits a half-day in Lambton Quay and CBD.
+Is Parliament and the Beehive free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Parliament and the Beehive?
June–August, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Join a free guided tour; when the House is sitting you can also watch debates from the public gallery.
+Do I need to book Parliament and the Beehive in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.