Lonely Planet calls Wellington the ‘coolest little capital in the world’, and this compact city never disappoints. Perched attractively on the Cook Strait, ‘Windy Wellington’ breezes with confidence, delivering an eclectic range of culture and café society. Stroll along the streets and you’ll encounter 19th-century wooden cottages nestling alongside sleek Art Deco and vibrant post-modernist buildings. And with more bars and restaurants per capita than New York, locals recommend relaxing harbourside with a pint of craft beer.
Things to do.....
Wellington Attractions
Chic, cosmopolitan Wellington is New Zealand in miniature. Perfectly blending culture and nature, you’ll find a café serving top-notch coffee on most corners, a sensational view at the end of every street. Top Wellington attractions include a behind the scenes look at all things Hobbit and bars brimming with the local brew. Throw in internationally renowned cuisine and nearby wineries, and it makes for a perfect stop off on your tour of the cultured North Island or embarkation point for the adventurous South Island.
Te Papa Tales
The story of New Zealand’s past – and now also its future – is told in Te Papa, the national museum of New Zealand. Meaning ‘the place of treasures of this land’, there are said to be 100,000s of exhibits in this modern waterfront edifice, built on stilts to reduce the impact of earthquakes. Over six floors, you’ll encounter everything from Kiwi fashion of the 1800s, the archive of the National Post Office and artificial caves and wetlands. A massive draw is a rare colossal squid weighing 495 kilograms and two-thirds the length of a cricket pitch.
Wellywood
Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and Hobbit franchise has had a greater impact on New Zealand than a gang of marauding Orcs. Film buffs and fantasy fiction lovers alike now flock to the sets and locations around the country, with many close to the city in ‘Wellywood’. The scene stealer here is the Weta Workshop Tour where you can visit the team responsible for many of the film’s costumes and effects, as well as the natural wonder of the Weta Cave network.
Havana Great Time
Wellington is a wonderful place to wander and unwind. So walk along the magnificent waterfront, sunbathe in Oriental Bay or meander through the Victorian old town. Swing by boho Cuba Street, Wellington’s hipster central, and you’ll be entertained by street entertainers or potentially drenched by the unique and colourful Bucket Fountain. No trip is complete without a ride on the iconic cable car to Kelburne and the Observatory then back through the Botanic Gardens.
Learn Your Craft
Cheers Wellington! If you’re up for a pint-sized walking tour with a difference, then you’re in for a treat. Along with its role as political centre, Wellington is New Zealand’s craft beer capital. The city’s self-guided trail takes in sixteen craft beer bars, eight breweries and four bottle stores. There’s a handy map which is clear – to begin with – to navigate your way around! If you’re feeling abstemious, the tour is split in to a north and south loop, so you can just opt for a quick half!
Bag Mount Victoria
From Mount Victoria Lookout, two hundred metres above sea level, you can gaze over the city’s lush hills, elegant architecture and azure waters. It’s one of the highlights of any stay in Wellington. Make the most of your surroundings by walking there through the leafy green belt. Then simply relax as you survey a flotilla of ferries, ships and liners setting sail and planes making their final approaches. The peak time to go is at sunrise or sunset when the city lights or dawn deliver a dazzling backdrop.
