I’m only a bit partial to Wellington, New Zealand. It’s the first place I moved to when I lived in NZ, and I quickly fell in love with the relaxed, quirky, chill vibe. Wellington attracts a lot of artists, entrepreneurs, and other creative types. Because it’s the capital, it also has a lot of government and tech people. The energy in Wellington is palpable, though, and the perfect place to cap your North Island adventure.
Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington lies at the southwestern tip of the North Island, on the far end of the Rimutaka range, in a large, low harbour surrounded by hills. It is the southernmost capital of a sovereign country. Wellington is also the windiest city in the world! Trust me when I say that it’s possible to be blown uphill here!
Maori, like American Indians and Australian Aboriginals, have stories for how the country came to be – landscape, and so forth. Wellington’s story, which I heard late one night while driving around the bay to look at the stars, has to do with two supernatural creatures. The harbour was originally a lake, but one creature wanted to leave to explore the greater depths of the sea. He bragged that he could run and jump over the mountains that separated the lake from the sea. What he created with his escape was the entrance to Wellington Harbour. His brother, by contrast, was unable to gather the strength to leave, and he is alternately (depending on the story) the low lying land at Evans Bay, or Mount Victoria.
Wellington’s settler history begins in the mid 1800s, although legend says that Polynesian explorer Kupe visited the area in the 10th century. The earliest evidence for Maori tribes living in New Zealand dates from the 1200s. While Auckland, New Zealand was the original capital of the country, Wellington replaced it in 1865.
What to do in Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington has plenty of museums, botanic gardens, the Parliament building, and a vibrant arts scene. One of my favourite museums, and one well worth spending a little time at, is Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum of New Zealand. Te Papa is right on the waterfront, a short walk from the financial district and Oriental Parade. Just around the corner is the Wellington Museum, a museum dedicated to the city’s settling. The botanical gardens are above Lambton Quay. The best way to get there is by the iconic Wellington cable car (see featured image)!
If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, then don’t miss the tours at The Weta Workshop. Here, you’ll see the process involved in creating the movies – from props to costumes to facial adornments. The Weta Workshop does quite a bit more than just LotR, and the company now encompasses all aspects of film production and digital editing. Owned by Sir Peter Jackson, The Weta Workshop also created all of the large scale humans for the 2015-2019 Gallipoli exhibit at Te Papa, which was a fascinating exhibition!
There’s a ton of outdoor activities in and around Wellington, New Zealand. Those within the city include climbing Mount Victoria, cycling the bays (get an ebike from my friends at Switched On Bikes at the harbour), hiking the outer green belt, walking the coastal trail at the red rocks, or mountain biking near Makara.
Food and wine in Wellington, New Zealand
Food, wine, beer, and coffee are big draws to this region. Wellington, New Zealand has a plethora of coffee roasters and craft brewers, the Wairarapa wine region is just around the corner, and there are a ton of award-winning restaurants. Nightlife in Wellington centres around Cuba Street and Courtenay Place. This is where most Wellingtonians and visitors go for a night out, although there are some great bars at the harbour too.
For more on the Wairarapa wine region and the Martinborough wineries…
Where to stay in Wellington
Wellington doesn’t have a lot of accommodation, but what it does have is very good. There’s an InterContinental Hotel right in the middle of the financial district, and several smaller hotels. Bed and breakfasts are also all over the place; to be super central look near Lambton Quay, Oriental Parade, Te Aro, and Botanic Gardens.
However, Wellington is a walkable city, so it doesn’t really matter where you are (unless you’re in Newtown or Lyall Bay). Most of the suburbs are also within walking distance, although the public transportation system is stellar. There is a rather unique hotel across from Te Papa. Originally known as the Museum Art Hotel, but now as the QT Museum Wellington, it’s a gorgeous gallery-meets-hotel concept. Their restaurant is well-known and high tea here is a true event.
Unless you have a car, avoid Petone or the Hutt Valley. They are both quite a distance from the city.
Get out of Wellington!
If you’re interested in getting out of the city for a bit, there’s a few nearby places to consider. The Wairarapa, a wine region with stunning landscapes, is just a short drive or helicopter ride away. Castle Point and Cape Palliser are both jaw-droppingly beautiful and worth the detour. Martinborough is a lovely wine town – an easy day trip from Wellington if you don’t want to stay. One of my favourite Virtuoso properties is here: Wharekauhau Country Estate. This is, without a doubt, one of the more beautiful remote locations on the planet.
The west coast of the southern North Island, namely near Paraparaumu (leave a comment with your pronunciation of that!) and Kapiti, is great for wildlife lovers. It’s very remote and there are some unique ecological experiences on Kapiti Island.
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