Wellington occupies a prime position as a geographical and cultural centre, dramatically set between a harbour and forest-clad hills. The city is home to some of New Zealand's best galleries and museums, as well as great shops and cafes.
Essentially rural with "off-the-beaten-track" appeal, Wairarapa offers great locally grown wines, delicious fresh food, abundant wildlife and stunning scenery.
Wellington
Zest Food Tours; visit gourmet food stores such as Moore Wilsons and Meat on Tory to sample some of Wellington’s finest produce.
If you are a chocoholic, you cannot leave Wellington without visiting Schoc Chocolates, where you can taste a huge variety of chocolates made from interesting combinations such as Lime Chilli and Sea Salt, and purchase beautifully handcrafted chocolates that are almost too precious to eat.
Wellington is home to many restaurants with extensive wine lists – check out Vivo Wine Bar, Boulot, Logan Brown, Matterhorn, Juniper, Arbitrageur, and much more.
Wellington
Visit the Wellington Botanical Gardens with its beautiful Lady Norwood Rose Garden.
Take a walk in the Otari-Wilton’s Bush, New Zealand’s only botanic garden dedicated solely to growing native plants.
Take a short drive to the top of Mt Victoria for a panoramic view of this gorgeous city
Check out the Wellington Zoo which offers personal encounters with the animals such as the Red Pandas, Tigers, Lions, Giraffes and Cheetahs.
Stroll along Wellington's stunning waterfront.
Wellington
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa; a bold and innovative approach to telling New Zealand's stories - a must-do!
City Gallery; an excellent representation of New Zealand’s dynamic contemporary culture.
Museum of Wellington City and Sea; worth a visit if you are interested in Wellington's history which has strong associations with the sea.
Pick up a Wellington Writers Walk guide from the Wellington i-SITE and do a writers’ trail designed to make writing a more visible art form.
Visit Experience Stansborough, makers of Lord of the Rings and Narnia fabrics, to learn about the time journey of the flock, the farm and the factory to the fabric, fashion and the films.
Take a drive to Porirua and visit the Pataka Museum.
Beach & Coastal Encounters
Wellington
The Wellington Waterfront; a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Many activities are based around the waterfront from harbour cruises, strolling from Queens Wharf to Oriental Bay, and swimming at the golden sand beach, rollerblading and rock-climbing for the more adventurous. Or grab a coffee or gelato and sit back and enjoy beautiful views of the Wellington harbour and cityscape.
Wellington
Karori Wildlife Sanctuary; a world first conservation attraction and home to some of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered wildlife.
Seal Coast Safari; a 4WD way of exploring Wellington’s nature and encountering New Zealand’s native fur seals.
Take a drive to Upper Hutt and visit the Staglands Wildlife Reserve, a special look at New Zealand’s natural heritage.
Take a drive out to the Kapiti Coast and visit Kapiti Island Alive, a unique opportunity in New Zealand to view endangered and rare birds in a completely natural setting.