New Zealand’s capital is a sophisticated and stylish city, offering excellent cultural experiences in a beautiful setting of harbour and bush-clad hills.

Wellington is city chic at nature’s doorstep; set between a magnificent harbour and rolling green hills, it is a compact city where funky shops, exciting galleries and great restaurants are within easy walking distance.

Wellington is home to many national performing arts organisations and visitors can spend a fantastic evening sampling the cultural delights of the city. Tasked with telling the nation’s stories, Wellington delivers great cultural attractions including Te Papa, a ground-breaking museum telling the story of New Zealand and her people through innovative and interactive exhibitions in a stunning waterfront setting.  No visit is complete without seeing the Beehive and Parliament Buildings and a ride in the Wellington Cable Car to the Botanic Gardens.

Porirua City in regional Wellington is rich in culture, with a variety of attractions, accommodation, restaurants and a wide range of outdoor activities. Kapiti Coast is a nature lover’s delight, from the beautiful native bush of the Tararua Ranges to Kapiti Island, home of many rare and endangered birds. With safe swimming beaches and spectacular scenery, Kapiti Coast has a reputation as Wellington’s ‘sunshine coast’.

Lower Hutt is the gateway to the great outdoors of the Wellington region and offers stunning scenery, walking tracks and breathtaking views. Upper Hutt promises natural attractions and outdoor pursuits nestled amongst lush green hills in the picturesque Hutt River valley.

Regional Highlights

Unforgettable Sights

Te Papa Tongarewa The spectacular Museum of New Zealand on the Wellington Waterfront. Wellington Cable Car Ride the historic Cable Car for great views over the city. New Zealand’s Parliament Buildings Including the unique Beehive. Kapiti Island The rugged outline can be seen just offshore on the Kapiti Coast. Oriental Bay Cute wooden villas overlook this city beach.

Adrenaline Rush

Diving There are a number of renowned diving spots around Wellington; diving to the sunken frigate F69 is one option. Kapiti 4×4 Adventure (Paraparaumu) Explore the landscape by four-wheel-drive. www.kapitifourx4.co.nz Mountain biking (Wellington) Wellington Rover can get you out on the biking tracks. www.wellingtonrover.co.nz

Relax & Indulge

Wellington Botanic Gardens (Wellington) Explore Wellington’s beautiful gardens, best accessed by the Wellington Cable Car.

Luxury

Ohtel (Wellington) Boutique hotel in Oriental Bay, featuring inspirational design and an unconventional approach in a  fantastic location. www.ohtel.com

Culture

Kapiti Island Alive Nature Tours (Otaki) Explore this remarkable wildlife sanctuary with local Maori guides. www.kapitiislandalive.co.nz Wellywood (Wellington) A Lord of the Rings tour is a great way to explore Peter Jackson’s hometown. Maori Treasures (Wellington) An intimate visit to a family of Maori artisans with Flat Earth Tours. www.flatearth.co.nz Parliament Buildings Tours operate daily on the hour and admission is free. www.parliament.nz Explore the galleries Pataka in Porirua, The New Dowse in Lower Hutt and the Museum of Wellington are all highly regarded. www.pataka.org.nz, www.dowse.org.nz or www.museumofwellington.co.nz

Natural New Zealand

Seal colony visit Take a tour to see the seal colony on the South Coast. ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience (Wellington) Enjoy a relaxing wander through this remarkable inner city sanctuary. www.sanctuary.org.nz

On a Budget

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Wellington) The national museum is a leader in interactive museum experiences. www.tepapa.govt.nz Wellington Writers’ Walk (Wellington) Stroll the waterfront and contemplate lines of poetry by local writers on plaques along the way. Archives New Zealand (Wellington) Discover where the Treaty of Waitangi is displayed. www.archives.govt.nz

The Iconic Experience

Exploring the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa – this bold and innovative national museum on the Wellington waterfront is both entertaining and informative for visitors of all ages.

Dining & Shopping

Exclusive Dining

Logan Brown (Wellington) Multi-award-winning Logan Brown is fine dining New Zealand style. www.loganbrown.co.nz

Casual Dining

Matterhorn (Wellington) New Zealand’s Restaurant of the Year 2008, offering a deceptively simple seasonal menu. www.matterhorn.co.nz

Café

Superfino (Wellington) A mix of classic European coffee house and old-school milk bar, phone +64 4 382 8606.

Stylish Bar

Havana (Wellington) Funky and laid-back, the perfect place to relax and catch some live music. www.havana.co.nz

Cosy Pub

The Malthouse (Wellington) Wellington’s home of beer, with over 80 to sample. www.themalthouse.co.nz

Culinary Experience

Zest Food Tours of New Zealand (Wellington) Tours for people with an appetite for culinary adventure. www.zestfoodtours.co.nz

Shop or Gallery

Kura Contemporary Ethnic Art Gallery (Wellington) New Zealand art and crafts. www.kuragallery.co.nz

Suggested Itineraries

2 days in Wellington

Start Wellington  I  Finish Wellington
Day 1 Central Wellington
Day 2 Te Papa – ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience
Upon arrival in Wellington, take some time to get an overview of the city. A guided tour with an informative and engaging tour operator is the perfect way to explore. Enjoy dinner in Courtenay Quarter, where eateries range from cheap and cheerful ethnic cafés to silver service and Michelin star-winning restauranteurs. On Day 2, visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, then head to ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience for a guided tour and experience a slice of New Zealand’s natural heritage.

5 days in Wellington

Start Wellington  I  Finish Wellington
Day 1 Te Papa
Day 2 Central Wellington – Karori
Day 3 Wairarapa
Day 4 Kapiti Island
Day 5 Central Wellington
First stop is Te Papa – New Zealand’s national museum – visitors could easily spend a day here. On Day 2, explore the best of Wellington’s wine and food with a Zest Walking Gourmet Food Tour and, in the afternoon, head to ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience. On Day 3, drive 90 minutes out of Wellington to Wairarapa and take a Flat Earth Martinborough Wine Tour. On Day 4, head to Kapiti Island and spend a day discovering native wildlife with Kapiti Island Alive Tours. On Day 5, explore the shops and cafés of downtown Wellington and take a ride on the Cable Car.

Road Trip

Kapiti Coast to Wellington The northern approach to Wellington offers breathtaking views from a roadway sandwiched between bush-clad hills and surging ocean.

Transport

Airports

Wellington International Airport offers domestic flights to all major destinations within New Zealand and international air services to Australian and Pacific Island destinations. The airport is about 15 minutes from the centre of the city.

Roads

Wellington is located on SH 1 and SH 2 at the southern end of the North Island. Coach companies provide regular services. The region is well served by coach companies, taxis and a metropolitan bus service.

Rail

Tranz Scenic offers a daily scenic train service between Wellington and Auckland, daily in summer and three times a week in winter.  A metropolitan train service also operates between the central city and regional destinations.

Ferries

Two services are available from Wellington to Picton in the South Island – the Interislander and Bluebridge.

Further Information

Positively Wellington Tourism

Trade Contact Jo Heaton
International Marketing Manager
Email Jo.Heaton@WellingtonNZ.com
Phone +64 4 916 1208  Fax +64 4 916 1214
Email info@WellingtonNZ.com
www.WellingtonNz.com

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