Nairn Street Cottage Tour

Old world charm five minutes from the city. Open weekends.

You are cordially invited to Nairn Street Cottage’s new interactive tour. 

Built in the late 1850s, 68 Nairn Street is one of the oldest houses in Wellington and was home to the Wallis family for three generations.  

Now an immersive museum, discover early narratives of Pōneke and what it means “to make a home” from a variety of Māori and Pākehā perspectives, from centuries ago to the present. 

Glide through the decades as you move through one of the oldest residences in Wellington. Time travel through different decades in each room of the house, from the 1850s through the 1970s.

Make Pōneke past come to life with interactive activities. Follow a packing tutorial from G.B. Earp’s Handbook for Intending Immigrants to the Southern Settlements of New Zealand (1849). Practice your penmanship and consider what news you might like to share with your friends and whānau. Share news and gossip from real historical newspapers, check for arriving/departing settlers, and find out what goods you’ll be able to buy in town. In the kitchen, plan a special dinner menu with favourite period recipes.

Learn about the wider historical context that influenced the cottage’s construction and changes in the Visitor Centre next door. Exit through the Wallis’ garden, which is always free to visit. 

Discover old world charm, five minutes from the city. Book now for groups of up to eight. 

Entry by tour only.

Tours start on the hour between 12pm – 3pm. 


Nairn Street Cottage is currently open for weekend tours only.

 

EFTPOS-only door sales available, booking recommended.

Book online or contact Wellington Museum:

Email: museumtours@experiencewellington.org.nz

Phone: +64 4 472 8904

 

  • A long shot through the cottage's corridor as a woman enters through the front door.
  • The pianola of the sitting room is against the pale green wall. The mantel piece in the foreground hold trinkets and is out of focus.
  • A woman walks along the hallway of Nairn Street Cottage. She is framed by an open bedroom door. She appear blurry with movement.
  • One of the cottage's bedrooms featuring soft pink. patterned wallpaper. Light comes through the window on to the made bed with white sheets and an iron frame.
  • A door is open to the 1970s themed kitchen. The autumnal colour scheme is found on the graphic table cloth and curtains.
  • A chest sits at the foot of the bed in the bedroom with pale blue patterned wallpaper.