Wellington - Regional
Information
Home of the New Zealand Parliament and the nation's
capital, Wellington is situated at the southernmost point
of the North Island.
It is a cosmopolitan city boasting a vibrant cafe scene
and an active arts and entertainment sector. The downtown
area is wrapped around the Harbour with many of the
residential areas built on the cliffs above allowing for
spectacular views of the surrounding area.
Wellington is the North Island port for the Interisland
ferry between the North and South Islands.
What To See
While construction has changed the skyline with modern
skyscrapers, Wellington has also retained
many of its historic sites and buildings. Among these are
Antrim House, the Colonial Cottage Museum, Old St Paul's
Cathedral, Katherine Mansfield's Birthplace, the
Parliament Buildings, including the 'Beehive' and the many
city villas which cling precariously to the steep
hillsides.
Downtown Wellington on Lambton Quay is popular with
shoppers. Don't miss a trip on the Cable Car which takes
you from Lambton Quay to Kelburn, the Botanic Gardens and
superb harbour views.
For a different perspective of the city, take a harbour
cruise or a ferry trip to Eastbourne, where there are
craft shops, galleries and cafes. Wellington also has a
strong yachting fraternity.
The city has long been recognized as the cultural and
arts capital of New Zealand. It is home to the
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand
Ballet, opera companies, theatre and a large number of art
galleries, including the Te Papa National Museum of New
Zealand. The cosmopolitan nature of Wellington is
reflected in the 350 restaurants and cafes serving
innovative New Zealand and ethnic cuisine.
Attractions and Activities
Bold, imaginative, constantly changing and always
fun, New Zealand's award winning Te Papa National Museum
tells the great stories of New Zealand's land and its
people. Discover a unique natural environment, trace the
diverse history and explore the warmth and vitality of the
Maori. While you are there, cheek out the Time Warp for a
thrilling ride through time as you blast into New
Zealand's past and future. This is serious fun! Admission
is free. Open 10am-6pm every day of the year, 9pm on
Thursdays.
Touring Information
As the North Island terminal of the Interislander
Ferry, a stopover in Wellington is included in several of
our tours that include both the North and South Islands,
whether it be a group motor coach tour or one of our
independent Resort Connection packages.
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