| About Wellington | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wellington, New Zealand's capital city,
is imaginatively positioned between a picturesque harbour and forested
green hills. The city is home to memorable arts, cultural and heritage
attractions including the national museum, Te Papa. Natural attractions,
such as the wild south coast, are within easy reach of the city centre. Sophisticated yet friendly, Wellington has great shopping and nightlife. The downtown area can match New York with the number of cafes and restaurants per head. Just north of Wellington city is the Hutt Valley, an area that offers a variety of outdoor and adventure experiences, including bush walks, fishing and thrilling mountain bike tracks. Porirua, towards the west coast, has a reputation for energy, creativity and talent – it is a significant Pacific Island and Maori art and culture centre. The Kapiti Coast, less than an hour's drive from Wellington, is where you will discover world-class wild life sanctuaries, fantastic golf and gourmet food experiences. |
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| Getting here & around | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| There are many options for
transport to and around the Capital. Wellington Harbour lies right in
the middle of New Zealand at the southern most tip of the North Island. The departure point for the South Island, Wellington is the nation's cultural and political heart. Whether you're travelling by car, coach or train, all roads lead to Wellington Getting Here By Air If you're short on time, Wellington is no more than an hour's flight from anywhere in New Zealand, and from Wellington Airport, a mere 15-minute drive to the central city. Your taxi fare will be around NZ$20, or if you're on a budget, try a shuttle; it takes a bit longer but you're still dropped off to your door, for around NZ$12.00. New Zealand's major domestic airline is Air New Zealand - click here for flight bookings and information. Freedom Air also flies within New Zealand and across the Tasman. Self Drive With its comparatively low traffic density and spectacular countryside, New Zealand is an ideal destination for those who like being on the road. If you want to be self-sufficient, a rental car is a great way to see the country. To get an idea of average drive times to Wellington, see the table below.
Rail and Coach Following is a summary of the key scheduled transport operators. You can browse their sites and then return to this site to book with our On-line Travel Centre. If you like to watch the scenery, not the road, a coach trip may be a more relaxing option. Intercity Coachlines service runs throughout New Zealand and discounts are available for Youth Hostel Members and VIP cardholders. Alternatively, there is a range of Tranz Scenic Rail Routes from all major New Zealand cities. Wellington Railway Station is only a couple of minutes walk from the Central Business District, and connects with coaches, shuttles and taxis. If you're backpacking through New Zealand there are a variety of Travel Passes available, or check out a Magic Bus Tour. For real independence try a Best of New Zealand Pass contact the Wellington Visitor Centre for more details. South Island Ferry Connection To cross between the North and South Island, catch the Interislander ferry across Cook Strait. A cruise through the spectacular Marlborough Sounds will make any visit to New Zealand memorable and the ferry connects Wellington with Picton up to five times daily depending on the season. Cruise Ships In summer, Wellington's sparkling harbour is a popular cruise ship destination, currently attracting between 20 and 30 liners throughout the season. If you're planning to visit New Zealand in summer, why not ask your travel agent to book a cruise including Wellington. Getting around The cosmopolitan character of an international city is concentrated into central Wellington's two-kilometre diameter. The capital is a pedestrian's paradise and we've listed some of the best walks for you to explore, from urban trails to nature treks. Wellington has an excellent public transport system. The yellow "city circular" bus will take you past most of the city's major attractions for NZ$2, and it connects with the Wellington Railway Station. The Cable Car runs from Lambton Quay in the commercial heart of the city, tunnel under the corporate towers of The Terrace and emerge in Kelburn. The ride continues past Kelburn Park and the Victoria University to the top of Upland Road, where the Lookout, Carter Observatory, Planetarium and Cable Car Museum are located. If you're planning to do a lot of sightseeing, a $5 Daytripper pass gives you unlimited travel on any Stagecoach bus all day. You can visit Wellington Zoo, Mt Victoria Lookout or try a Red Rocks Seal Tour. Exploring the surrounding regions is easy, self driving, on a tour or catch the Tranz Metro train service from Wellington Railway Station. The Kapiti Coast, Hutt City, Porirua and the wine regions of the Wairarapa provide incredible scenic contrast with Wellington City. For a loftier perspective of Wellington, hop on a helicopter right in the city at Queens Wharf from NZ$50.00. Mountain Bikers are spoiled for choice with the green "town belt" areas and surrounding regional parks providing the venue for breathtaking rides. No wonder the World Cup Mountain Biking series came here in 1997. Bikes can be hired from many cycle shops found in our Shopping Database. |
| Activities & Attractions |
| Once you've explored
Te Papa and Parliament, caught the Cable Car and descended through the
Wellington Botanic Garden, Wellington's harbour is one of the most stunning
city-side stretches of water in the world. Explore it from the 55 km
continuous coastal road. The Dominion Post Ferry from Queen's Wharf
visits Days Bay several times a day via the historic Matiu / Somes Island. |
| Top Wellington scenic highlights |
| Walking is one of the best ways to discover
the Wellington region, and it gives you an excuse to eat whatever you
like at the city's wonderful restaurants. Exploring the inner city landscape Wellington has one of the world's most beautiful harbours. The waterfront area between downtown and Oriental Bay is a popular recreation area for visitors and city dwellers. Walk around Queens Wharf to Oriental Bay for a swim at the golden sand beach. If you're feeling adventurous, try sea kayaking, rollerblading and rock-climbing. Or make yourself comfortable at a café, bar or restaurant and quietly absorb the massive harbour views. There are numerous other walking routes to follow, from coastal tracks to hikes through the hills. Striking architecture, both old and new Nothing defines a city's character quite as well as its architecture. Wellington's most striking architectural feature is the collection of historical timber houses displayed on the green hills surrounding the harbour. The wooden theme is a consistent one, as you'll see when you visit Old St Paul's, Katherine Mansfield Birthplace, Antrim House, historical Thorndon and the Old Government Buildings - the largest wooden structure in the Southern Hemisphere. At the southern end of Lambton Quay, you'll find an interesting collection of parliamentary buildings. Admire the Victorian Gothic Parliamentary Library, the Edwardian neo-classical Parliament House and the 1960s 'Beehive' - the executive wing of the parliamentary complex. Mountain tops and mountain bikes Catch the cable car from Lambton Quay up to the Botanic Garden, then wander down through 26 acres of specialist gardens, native bush and lawn areas to historical Thorndon, New Zealand's oldest suburb. Or take in the 360° panorama of Wellington city, harbour and the Cook Strait from the top of Mount Victoria. Mountain biking is a Wellington passion. In 1998 the world championships were held on Mount Victoria. Hire a bike and burn off some energy on one of the mountain biking tracks. |
| Seasonal Tips |
| Summer (Dec-Feb) Summer is a great time to explore the city’s beautiful harbour. Regular ferry services operate between the city and the seaside village of Eastbourne, where you will find art galleries, outdoor cafes and scenic coastal walks. Days Bay is an excellent beach for a swim. You could also stop off at Matiu/Somes Island for a picnic in the middle of the harbour - look for native wildlife such as tuatara and little blue penguins. Autumn (Mar-May) Orca and dolphins often visit Wellington’s coast and harbour during the autumn months. There are various ways to see them – watch from the city’s waterfront, catch a ferry to Eastbourne or cross Cook Strait on a day trip to Picton. If you have seafaring skills, take advantage of the beautifully clear weather and hire a boat. Winter (Jun-Aug) Downtown Wellington offers a warm escape from winter. The many restaurants, bars, cafes and galleries provide cosy shelter from the elements. Winter is an ideal time to explore the city’s art galleries and museums. Be sure to explore Te Papa, the Museum of Wellington City & Sea and the City Gallery Wellington. Or head out to Pataka in Porirua and The Dowse in Lower Hutt. Spring (Sep-Nov) Clear spring days provide the perfect opportunity to mountain bike through the native bush of Makara Peak. Or take your bike out to the Hutt Valley and ride one of the many tracks along the river or through the hills. Spring in New Zealand means Christmas is not far away – look for the iconic kiwi Christmas tree, the Pohutukawa. Its distinctive bright red flowers can be seen throughout the streets and along the beaches of the Wellington region. |
| Key Tips |
| - Wellington has an international airport,
ferries connecting the North and South islands and an extensive train
and bus network. - Wellington’s compact size means it only takes 20 minutes to walk from one side of downtown to the other. - Visitors are often surprised by how much there is to see and do in Wellington - ensure you allow enough time. - Venture out to Kapiti, Hutt Valley and Porirua – each area has unique experiences to offer travellers. |
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