Last updated June 2026
Nairn Street Cottage is central Wellington’s oldest identified timber house, completed in 1858 and preserved as an immersive museum of colonial life through the Wallis family. Located at 68 Nairn Street in Mount Cook, the cottage operates as part of Museums Wellington and offers guided tours only. Visitors explore furnished rooms that reflect different eras from the 1850s to the 1970s, along with an authentically presented heritage garden. The site is a Category I heritage building recognised by Heritage New Zealand for its outstanding significance.
Practical Information
| Address | 68 Nairn Street, Mount Cook, Wellington |
| Open | Saturday–Sunday in winter; seasonal variations apply (check website for summer hours) |
| Tour times | 12pm, 2pm and 3pm |
| Admission (adult) | NZ$8 |
| Admission (children, 4–14) | NZ$4 |
| Tour format | Guided tours only — entry by tour only, not self-guided |
| Wheelchair access | Not wheelchair accessible — narrow doorways, corridors, dim lighting and steep stairs |
| Bookings | Essential for school groups and tour groups; recommended for individuals |
| Payment | Cashless site (EFTPOS available) |
About Nairn Street Cottage
The cottage was built by carpenter William Wallis shortly after he and his wife Catherine arrived in Wellington in 1857. Completed in 1858 just before the birth of their first child, it remained in the Wallis family for 127 years across three generations. This long occupancy preserved many original features, furniture and personal items that illustrate everyday life in colonial Wellington.
Constructed in elegant late-Georgian style using native timbers, the cottage is one of the few pre-1860 domestic buildings still standing in central Wellington. It sits on an 1840 New Zealand Company town acre and is registered by Heritage New Zealand as having outstanding significance. The site includes a heritage garden featuring native plants and vegetables used by the family for food and medicine.
A modern Visitor Centre adjacent to the cottage provides additional context through timelines and exhibits. The cottage is a short walk from the central city at the top of Willis Street, though Nairn Street itself is steep.
What the Tours Cover
Guided tours last approximately 45–60 minutes and take visitors through the cottage rooms, each presented to reflect a different period of the Wallis family’s occupation. Guides share stories of the family alongside broader social and technological changes in Aotearoa from the 1850s to the 1970s. Tours now include a short introduction to the heritage garden. Rooms are small with narrow doorways, dim period-appropriate lighting and multiple levels; a narrow steep staircase leads to the second floor.
What Visitors Often Say
Visitors describe the cottage as a charming and authentic heritage experience that feels genuinely lived-in. Many praise the knowledgeable guides who bring the Wallis family stories to life and note the intimate scale of the rooms and garden.
Where to Learn More
Museums Wellington – Nairn Street Cottage: Official site with current hours, tour details, admission and booking information.
Heritage New Zealand – Nairn Street Cottage: Heritage listing and historical significance details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nairn Street Cottage?
At 68 Nairn Street, Mount Cook, Wellington — a short but steep walk from the central city at the top of Willis Street.
When is it open?
Open Saturday–Sunday in winter with tours at 12pm, 2pm and 3pm. Summer hours may include additional days; always confirm on the official website.
Can I visit without a tour?
No — the cottage is accessible by guided tour only. Self-guided entry is not available.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
No — the cottage has narrow doorways, corridors, small rooms, dim lighting and a steep staircase to the second floor. The Visitor Centre offers level access and an accessible toilet.
How old is Nairn Street Cottage?
It was completed in 1858, making it central Wellington’s oldest identified building. It is a Heritage New Zealand Category I site of outstanding significance.
Do I need to book?
Bookings are essential for school and tour groups. Individual visitors are encouraged to book online in advance, though door sales may be available.
What is the heritage garden?
The garden behind the cottage features native plants and vegetables used by the Wallis family for food and medicine, presented in an informal early-colonial style.
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