Wellington Hotels

Well, OK, nothing is that good-looking… But as far as global capitals go, Wellington is small but perfectly formed. Much of Wellington can be discovered on foot, with galleries and museums and other attractions like the recently spruced up Carter Observatory (with its digital planetarium) all within easy walking distance.

Further afield in Lower Hutt, Vogel House is a fine example of colonial architecture. ‘The Hutt’ was also home to a huge castle while Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy was being filmed in New Zealand. Jackson has even established multi-million-dollar film studios in the neighbouring suburb of Miramar, which Mexican director Guillermo del Toro has called ‘Hollywood the way God intended it.’

If Jackson’s Weta Studiosrepresent the new frontier in terms of arts and culture, ZEALANDIAis doing the same for conservation. While on the Waterfront, innovative chefs are pushing culinary boundaries.

So whether it’s browsing the Harbourside market on a Sunday or immersing yourself in culture and art, be sure to soak up the city, because Wellington won’t fail to impress. Just don’t let on to the locals – that would be very un-Australian!

WELLINGTON’S TOP 10

WELLINGTON LOCAL

City Centre

Wellington’s city centre is located near the Waterfront, making for a picture-perfect urban landscape. The district contains quite a few important attractions like the State Opera House, Wellington Town Hall, and City Art Gallery. It also includes Civic Square, which is paved with yellow terra cotta bricks. Public events and markets are frequently held here.

Cuba Street

Trendy and vibrant, Cuba Street is chock-a-block with hip cafes, chic boutiques and charismatic street entertainers. The area also hosts a few events throughout the year, namely Cuba Street Carnival and the Fringe Festival. There’s a real heart to Cuba street, and you’ll love immersing yourself in the hustle and bustle or simply stepping off to a cosy café to order a flat white (after all, New Zealand is where the flat white originated!) and watch the world go by.

Waterfront

Walking through Wellington’s popular Waterfront area is a must. Extending from Oriental Parade to Queen’s Wharf, Waterfront is where you can find loads of upmarket restaurants and bars. The parks and gardens also make it a great place to find scenic picnic spots, and on a nice day all that is required to enjoy this spot in the city is a picnic and a good-looking lover to enjoy it with. (If finding a good-looking picnic companion proves somewhat difficult, you can always brush up on your local knowledge with a visit to the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, which invites you to explore New Zealand’s maritime history.)

WELLINGTON EAT & DRINK

In Wellington you can enjoy Modern New Zealand cuisine (what exactly this entails tends to be widely subjective), European fine dining and even Southeast flavours. Wellington has a diverse range of restaurants on offer – all you need is a healthy appetite, a willingness to translate your waiter’s accent and enjoy the sunshine.

WELLINGTON EVENTS

At the Cuba Street Carnival in February, you’ll be entertained by street buskers and a street parade. There’s also a street market for those shopping fanatics out there.

The all-encompassing New Zealand Fringe Festival in February will charm you with theatre, comedy, dance, music and art.

Film buffs, here’s your reason to visit Wellington in winter – the two-week New Zealand International Film Festival makes its mark in July.

In August and September, make sure you go to the Montana World of WearableArt Awards Show where art, dance and fashion obscure the lines to become one.

From September to October the Spring Festival enlivens Wellington with spring flowers, crafts and workshops at Wellington Botanic Gardens.

The Organic River Festival is a three day event that starts just before the New Year. You can chow down on food, sip on wine as you’re entertained by talented performers and musicians.

WHEN TO GO

• Wellington experiences the same seasons as southern Australia, though the temperatures are slightly cooler.

• Known as the ‘Windy City’ (and not because its residents eat too much fibre), Wellington only ever gets up to around 8°C during the sunlight hours of winter months, and can fall to below zero overnight with occasional frost and snow.

• Summer sees pleasant temperatures of around 25°C, although the temperature can remain quite low in some of the low-lying valleys around the city.

• Spring and autumn are the best times to visit from a tourist standpoint, but Wellington is accessible and enjoyable year-round.

Visit our partner page Wellington hotels by Hotel.com.au

GETTING AROUND

• Once in Wellington, the best way to explore the city is to walk! Otherwise, you can take the bus (get a free network map) if you’re heading out to the suburbs. An all-day central bus pass costs $9 ($15 for a group pass of up to four people).
• Make sure you make time to take at least one trip on Wellington’s iconic cable car. It’s not really a means of transport, but it is a nice way to see the city.
• Other alternatives include the train, taxis, and renting a car (although parking can be problematic and expensive).

WHAT TO MISS

• Although New Zealand is relatively safe, this shouldn’t mean you let your guard down. Tourists in any city are targets for thieves, so be sure to take the same precautions you would in other large cities.

It’s actually quite common for cars to suffer break-ins. Older models with simple locks are the more likely targets, so hire a newer model. Regardless, make sure you park in well-lit areas and remove valuables before you leave it.

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