The Wellington & Wairarapa region encompass trendy cosmopolitan living to idyllic rural vistas. Wellington is a hub for arts, music & fashion, with an established cafe scene & an abundance of cultural attractions. The Wairarapa region is predominately rolling vineyards and farmland, with a scattering of historic townships just waiting to be explored.

Capital of What?
Wellington is not the country's largest city (that honour goes to Auckland), but it's New Zealand's capital city and is built on the shores of a spectacular harbour.

Known as the Art capital of New Zealand, there are many festivals each year, including the Wine and Food Festival, the Dragon Boating Festival and the International Festival of the Arts.

Wellington's Record Breaking

• Wellington is the world's most southerly capital city.
• The Old Government Buildings are the largest wooden structure in the Southern Hemisphere.
• The central city is only 2 kilometres wide, and nestled between the harbour and hills. Wild, untouched landscapes can be found within minutes.

Local Knowledge

• 
  The Old Bank Arcade was built on top of a wrecked ship of 100 years ago. Take the escalator down through the old bank vault doors to view the preserved remains.
• At midday hundreds of public servants can be seen eating lunch at several parks and open areas, notably Midland Park on Lambton Quay.
• Small and moderate earthquakes occasionally rock Wellington; so if the earth seems to move for you, it may not be just your imagination: Building regulations have meant that most of the older city buildings have been either demolished or strengthened in the last 20 years.
• The wind speed and direction can be seen by the flag being flown from "the Beehive". A large flag is flown only on calm days, a small flag is flown when windy days are expected. The prevailing wind is from the northwest but the strongest winds are southerly.

Getting Around

Central Wellington is easy to get around on foot, as is very compact and pedestrian-friendly. In addition, New Zealand's best public transit network—in the form of buses, commuter trains, and suburban ferries—is available to take you further a field, or if you just don't feel like hoofing it.

Regional Attractions Accessible From Wellington

• Wellington is linked to the nearby South Island by a ferry service. Ferries depart at the northern end of Wellington City or Queens Wharf. It takes about three hours or less to reach the South Island and vice versa.
• The Tararua Mountains and the Hutt Valley to the north for example are a great place enjoying New Zealand's temperate rain forests and mountain scenery. For great coastal scenery you could head north to Paekakariki and Paraparaumu which both contain beaches suitable for swimming and surfing.
• 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.

Best Views

Wellington City is surrounded by hills, so there are a number of good vantage points:

• 
  Mount Victoria is the best lookout in Wellington for a full 360-degree view to see the the airport, the harbour, the CBD and the Town Belt with just a turn of the head. It takes about an hour to walk up from Courtenay Place.
• Wrights Hill has views, and WWII underground tunnels which are open to the public on public holidays for a small fee.
• Mount Kaukau is also great lookout point, but not as close to the city as Mt Victoria
• Brooklyn Windmill affords an excellent view of the city, the harbour, and Cook Strait.
• Massey Memorial is an interesting place to go if you want to see a large memorial in the middle of nowhere, with a good view of the surrounding harbour.
• Also the Kelburn cable car, a Wellington icon provides a regular service between Lambton Quay and Kelburn for a great view.

Best Months

Wellington is known as "Windy Wellington", and even though the title is well deserved, it must be noted that the windy seasons are winter and spring while summer and autumn are quite calm.

A popular saying that goes "You can't beat Wellington on a good day" is often said in defence of Wellington's reputation for unpredictable weather, but it is also true that Wellington shines brighter than any other on a fine day. This is due to crisp clean and non-polluted air and Wellington surprisingly enjoys a higher amount of sunshine hours than Auckland and Christchurch.

Clothing

Wellington's wind can be quite nippy, so a good wind breaker jacket is advisable. Smart casual cloths for a smart casual cafe is also advisable.

Shopping

The city is quite linear and compact taking about 20 minutes to walk end to end. Wellington boasts an eclectic mix of shops. With a host of fashion stores and the country's premier department store.

The commercial backbone known as the "Golden Mile", runs from the Railway Station down Lambton Quay (high end boutiques) to its southern end at Willis Street. It then runs down lower Willis Street to Manners Street (the bohemian hub) and the pedestrian Manners Mall, and continues straight onto Courtenay Place (which is the theatre quarter).

The Waterfront, past Queen's Wharf to Frank Kitts Park, through the Lagoon and City-to-Sea Bridge areas and on to the Te Papa museum and the newly-created Waitangi Park are upcoming shopping areas.

Other Facts

Telephone Area Code: 04
Population: 185,100 (2005)
Summer Average Maximum Temperature: 18°
Winter Average Maximum Temperature: 12°
Local emergency contact number for all Police, Fire and St John Ambulances: 111

Activities

Day Tours in Wellington

Wellington can offer the visitor some great holiday experiences as outlined below:

	Gourmet Walking Tour A Zest Wellington food tour is for people with an appetite for culinary adventure & discovering new places through food & wine. We explore this city known for its love of great coffee & food, finding culinary treasures visitors often miss. Connect with like-minded local food lovers, meet top Wellington restaurant & food professionals & uncover culinary treasures.
	Theatre et all The city is home to the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, as well as national dance, drama, opera and musical groups. Four professional theatres operate year-round, so there are live shows every night.
	Other Museums The Colonial Cottage Museum in Mount Cook suburb was built in 1858 and is considered Wellington's oldest building. The museum is dedicated to the early colonial life of New Zealand's founders. The New Zealand Cricket Museum is a great place to learn all about New Zealand's history and love for cricket.

Things to do in Wellington

This list will assist you in accessing all the natural and man-made visitor attractions and activities that Wellington has to offer.

	Beaches Oriental Bay, Days Bay and Scorching Bay, are swimming beaches located inside the Wellington harbour which are easily accessible given their close proximity to the city. If you're feeling adventurous, try sea kayaking, roller blading and rock-climbing. Or make yourself comfortable at a café, bar or restaurant and quietly absorb the massive harbour views.
	Lambton Quay Walk The shoreline as it was in 1840 is marked by plaques in the footpaths on Lambton Quay (hence the street name). The land was raised up after a major earthquake in 1855, and Lambton Quay is no longer by the water. 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.
	Wellington's Walks 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.
	Cable Car & Botanic Gardens 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
	Te Papa The national museum (Te Papa meaning "our place") is one of the largest museums in the world with a space equal to 3 football fields. Home to the National Art Collection, and exhibitions of all cultures in New Zealand.
	Museum of Wellington City & Sea A well-presented museum of the history of Wellington, including its maritime history. Queens Wharf, Wellington.
	City Gallery Lacks a permanent collection but runs a consistently avant-garde set of art exhibits. It also has the excellent cafe attached to it. Civic Square, Wellington.
	Parliament Buildings, The Beehive, & Library The grounds of Parliament are open to the public. Known as the hill, Parliament grounds are at the foot of Molesworth and Bowen Streets, where they meet Lambton Quay.

Activities Outside Wellington

Wellington can be used as a base to explore the south of the south island.

	Wairarapa Wairarapa has become one of New Zealand's wine growing regions. Sheltered from the prevailing westerly winds by the Rimutaka and Tararua ranges, south of Wellington, the Wairarapa region has a warm dry climate. Wine tasting tours are available from Wellington.
	The Kapiti Coast The Kapiti Coast as referred to as 'The Nature Coast' is a beautiful mix of beaches and lush native scenery. Spend the day at the beaches, near a river, or taking a walk through one of the many beautiful trails surrounding the hills and valleys bordering the coastline.
	Hutt Valley The nearby Hutt Valley has a number of interesting sights and beaches. Plimmerton, for example, has seen future world windsurfing champions training. Sir Edmund Hillary practiced rock-climbing at Titahi Bay before conquering Everest.
	Interislander Ferry Interislander travels Cook Strait between the North and South Islands of New Zealand and is one of the most spectacular cruises in the world. The 92 km journey between Wellington and Picton takes 3 hours & is one of New Zealand's most iconic tourist experiences.
	Pukaha Mount Bruce Pukaha Mount Bruce is New Zealand's National Wildlife Centre for conservation of some of our most endangered wildlife. Situated north of Wellington, it is also a centre for environmental education and an eco tourism destination. Kiwi, kokako, kaka and other wildlife are now being restored to the forest with the support of the local community.

Diary of Events

Coach Tours Which Include Wellington

The following fully escorted coach tours are our top 3 which include Wellington.

Ultimate North Island 10 days in New Zealand's North Island from Auckland to Wellington, via the Bay of Islands, gives varied activities such as a cruise to famous rocky coastal formations, a day with renowned naturalist Kiwi Dundee or his 3 protégées for a walk through fern groves and glow-worm studded gold mine, the thrill of sailing on a 12m yacht on Auckland Harbour, the sights and smells of Rotorua's thermal wonderland, Rainbow Springs Trout Farm, a Maori Hangi, the thunderous Huka Falls, and New Zealand's capital city, Wellington.

Best of New Zealand Fully escorted coach touring to see New Zealand's many seasons from cruising the rugged rocky coastline, Bay of Islands beaches, Maori native culture, glow-worm caves, Rotorua's geysers & hot mud pools, NZ's capital city, Interislander Cruise, fur seals & optional whale watching flight, touring past NZ's highest mountain, alpine scenic lakes, ski capital Queenstown, a tour of an historic castle, cruising on Fiordland past waterfalls & rock seals in Milford Sound, staying near icy glaciers and garden city Christchurch- all in 17 days.

Scenic Explorer Tour Comments like 'What a comprehensive tour' are used to describe this 2 week Christchurch to Auckland, guided coach tour with train trips on the TranzAlpine & TranzCoastal trains. All the best activities are included- City tours of Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington & Auckland, food like the Rotorua Maori Hangi & concert, the Scottish Haggis, the Queenstown cruise/ historic homestead dinner and the Montana Winery visit. Cruise on Milford Sound, the Interislander and underground boat to see the glow-worms. There is a visit to Rotorua's Thermal Reserve, sheep shearing demo, Maori culture show, trip up Auckland's Sky Tower and a Jade Stone Factory. Regions include the West Coast Glaciers, Huka Falls and Mt Cook.

Eating & Sleeping

Cuisine

With around 400 cafes and restaurants, Wellington's inner city has the highest concentration of eating establishments in New Zealand. Wellington has more cafes & restaurants per capita than New York! The huge array of dining options of a wide variety at a high standard, with many quirky and unique concepts, thanks to the city’s arts and cosmopolitan vibe.

Regional Specialties

Wellington cafes do the best coffee in the world or near enough.

Films Made in this Region

The following films were made in the Wellington area: Black Sheep 2007, The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep 2007, Eagle vs Shark 2007, Event 16 2006, King Kong 2005, Flatmates Wanted 2004, Fracture 2004, Futile Attraction 2004, Murmurs 2004, Without a Paddle 2004, For Good 2003, I Think I'm Going 2003, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 2003, Tongan Ninja 2003, All About Reinalda 2002, Blessed 2002, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers 2002, This is Not a Love Story 2002, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 2001, Stickmen 2000, The Irrefutable Truth About Demons 2000, Hopeless 1999, Via Satellite 1998, Saving Grace 1997, Chicken 1996, The Frighteners 1996, Jack Brown Genius 1995, The Last Tattoo 1994, Absent Without Leave 1993, Bread and Roses 1993, Secrets 1993, Braindead 1992, Chunuk Bair 1991, Te Rua 1991, Meet the Feebles 1990, Send a Gorilla 1988, Bad Taste 1987, Starlight Hotel 1987, Dangerous Orphans 1986, Shaker Run 1985, Should I be Good? 1985, The Lost Tribe 1985, Mr Wrong 1985, Iris 1984, Carry Me Back 1982, Goodbye Pork Pie 1980, Sons for the Return Home 1979, Solo 1978.

Accommodation

The following is a selection of the hotels Relaxing Journeys use in our escorted coach tours.

Bay Plaza Hotel - Wellington The Bay Plaza Hotel is located on Wellington's vibrant Oriental Parade not far from the famous Embassy Theatre that will stage the world premiere of 'The Lord of the Rings'. The Bay Plaza has panoramic views of the City, Harbour or Mt Victoria. Only minutes away from cafes, restaurants, bars, theatres, Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa), nightclubs, beach, and shopping areas of Wellington city.

Mercure Willis Street, Wellington Mercure Willis Street is only 10 minutes walk from the city centre, in the heart of Cuba Quarter, renowned as the lifestyle shopping precinct of Wellington.

Ibis Wellington Ibis Wellington is conveniently located in the very heart of the city. The hotel features 200 spacious climate-controlled guest rooms, a modern and contemporary restaurant and bar as well as WiFi broadband internet access.

Premium

James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor The James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor is recognised as a true icon of New Zealand's capital city and continues to be the perfect hotel for business and leisure travellers, right in the heart of Wellington.

Novotel Capital Wellington Novotel Capital Wellington is conveniently located in the heart of the city, close to the Te Papa Museum, Convention Centre, Parliament, Westpac Stadium and the waterfront as well as the many other attractions of the city.