Wellington

Are you a fan of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit? Head to Wellington on the North Island for tours of many of the locations used. Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located on the extreme south of the North Island. It is a beautiful city. Wellington is located on the shores and hills surrounding Wellington Harbour known as port Nicholson. Port Nicholson is a landlocked bay and one of the finest harbours in the world.

Wellington is reputed for its spellbinding natural harbour and green hillsides. It is adorned with exquisite suburbs of colonial villas. A good portion of the city is built on the land reclaimed from the bay. There are many important monuments in the city such as the Parliament building, National Library, the City Gallery Wellington and the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts. The old Government building which was built in 1876 is another tourist attraction. It is one of the world’s largest wooden structures.

As New Zealand's capital, Wellington is home to the imposing administrative buildings of government. It's an attractive city with a splendid harbour and terraced hills.

Right in the heart of the city, Hannahs Laneway is the perfect place to taste local flavours and pick up souvenirs. Known as New Zealand’s culinary capital, you won’t struggle to find excellent dining in Wellington, from eateries like Pickle & Pie to stalwarts such as Ortega Fish Shack and Logan Brown. Wellington is also renowned for its beer scene – barely a city block goes by without a specialist brew bar.

The bright red Wellington Cable Car is a bit of a classic. Enjoy a ride up from the terminal in the heart of the Lambton Quay shopping district up to the lookout for panoramic views of the city.

Take a behind-the-scenes tour at the Academy Award-winning Weta Workshop for a peek into incredible artistry and remarkable Kiwi innovation, as well as a few industry secrets.

Get up close and personal with a three-eyed prehistoric reptile and New Zealand’s native birds (the kiwi) at nature reserve Zealandia. Spot seals at Red Rock Reserve or head over to Wairarapa to visit the home of rare little white kiwi at Pukaha Mount Bruce. Wellington is brimming with nature experiences.

Transport: getting there and getting around

Air New Zealand offer direct domestic flights between Wellington airport and most major centres, including Auckland, Christchurch.

Regular ferry services connect Wellington with Picton on the South Island.

Wellington is an important junction for bus travel, with buses north to Auckland and all major towns in between. Wellington has a train station, an efficient local bus system, many car-hire companies, and taxi services.

Climate:

Wellington's coastal location gives it the reputation for being windy.

Accommodation: From cheap stays to luxury resorts, check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Wellington hotels

Events

As the nation's capital, Wellington is the centre for a host of cultural and sporting events such as:

Ø  Wellington Cup Week in January features racing, live music, fashion in the field, celebrity judges.

Ø  February:  New Zealand International Arts Festival

Ø  New Zealand Festival (Biennial)

Ø  October is a busy month with Wellington Fashion Festival and Wellington International Jazz Festival.