The capital of New Zealand, Wellington, is a small city with a captivating blend of culture, history, nature, and gastronomy. It is surrounded by nature and energized by creative energy.
Explore the magic of Te Papa’s interactive museum, explore the backstage areas of Wt Workshop to see the sets from Sir Peter Jackson’s critically acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit movies, and you’ll still have time for shopping and dinner at one of Wellington’s fantastic restaurants.
Walking is the greatest way to see Wellington. You can walk from one side of the CBD to the other in about 30 minutes by using the riverfront or Lambton Quay because it is only two kilometers wide. All main sites are close by on foot or are accessible by shuttle. The center of the city is a 15-minute drive from Wellington International Airport.
The center of New Zealand’s arts and culture is Wellington. The Royal New Zealand Ballet and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra are two major performing arts organizations that call Wellington home. The city also boasts about 50 galleries, as well as colorful sculptures and street art.
Te Papa Tongarewa, Aotearoa’s national museum, is located in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), and it is renowned for its cutting-edge interactive exhibits. Take a free tour of New Zealand’s Parliament buildings or visit He Tohu to see the founding documents of New Zealand and learn about Wellington’s history.
Wellington boasts a variety of conveniently accessible natural areas that are surrounded by hills and a stunning sparkling harbor. Discover Zealandia Te Mra a Tne, an ecosanctuary that Time magazine listed as one of the top 100 places to visit in the world. Zealandia, which is only ten minutes from the city, provides a chance to observe and hear native birds in a setting of native bush that feels like a step back in time.
Visit the Pakaha National Wildlife Centre in the Wairarapa to find out more about the Tangata Whenua (local Mori) and conservation efforts to safeguard native wildlife, or take a boat over to Kpiti Island to spot rare wildlife and enjoy legendary hospitality and storytelling from the kaitiaki (guardians) of this priceless location.
For those who enjoy cycling, the Remutaka Cycle Trail is a must. For a more leisurely ride, consider seeing Martinborough, a wine region, or go on an e-bike tour of Wellington with Switched On Bikes.
