Wellington

Wellington - Capital of Aotearoa/New Zealand

Wellington has also recently added the Nelson wearable arts festival to it's calendar, (which the people in Nelson aren't happy about!) Don't make the mistake of rushing through Wellington. It's got plenty to offer and is definitely worth a stop. There's some great vantage points around the city which are easily accessible by car. Mt Victoria provides awesome views of the harbour and city.

Te Papa

Wellington is also home to Te Papa, the museum of New Zealand. Much more than your average museum, Te Papa showcases New Zealand's history, its culture and its people. Te Papa is a fantastic insight into the people of New Zealand and our way of life. What's even better, is it's free! Wellington featured prominently in the Lord of The Rings trilogy. There are daily sightseeing tours to many of the locations used in the record breaking, Oscar award winning, box office blockbusting hit. Locations include; the outskirts of the Shire, Dunharrow, village of Bree, Gardens of Isengard, Helms Deep, Moria, Minas Tirith, Minas Morgul, and Rivendell.

Cable Car

Wellingtons Cable car opened in 1902 and has long been an iconic symbol of the capital city. The cable car runs between Lambton Quay in the City, and the Botanic Gardens. There are some fantastic views across the city to the Hutt Valley, Port Nicholson and Mt Victoria. A return trip is only $3.60, so it's a great way to spend a few hours and not a lot of cash.

Owhiro Bay

If you fancy a bit of a walk, take a drive to the seaside suburb of Owhiro Bay. Follow the road to the end where you can park the car. Take a walk around the rocky shoreline. The rocks are frequented by New Zealand fur seals, bathing in the sunshine, or just keeping out of the wind, on a blustery Wellington day.

Karori Wildlife Sactuary

The Karori Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven for endangered native birds and other species. There are a number of walking tracks in the park. Take your time to wander through the native bush, and ponder on what New Zealand may have been like had it not been for the arrival of man.

Links

Check out the following links:

• Cross the Cook Strait with The Bluebridge Experience
• Looking for clean cosy rooms in Wellington? Stay at Downtown Backpacker Wellington

Must Do in Wellington

You've got to go to Te Papa while you're here, it's a bit of a cliche thing to do but it's really awesome.