Wellington - City of Winds
The New Zealand Company moved the capital from Auckland to Wellington in 1865 because they feared, settlers of the Southern Island could try to separate from the North Island.
Cook Strait is almost at the narrowest point between Wellington and the South Island. Due to the Venturi effect, winds can often be very strong in the city. - Wellington - City of Winds.
www.wellingtonnz.com
www.wellington.govt.nz
www.tranzmetro.co.nz
Cable Car
Lambton Quai
The cable car was built in 1902 to link the suburb of Kelburn with the city centre. You'll reach the upper station after a five minutes drive and there are good views of the city and the large harbour. The Carter Observatory, the Botanical Garden and the Cable Car Museum are close to the upper station.
Old St. Paul's
Mulgrave Street
Built in 1866, St. Paul's is a fine example of Colonial Gothic architecture. The building is constructed entirely of native timber with beautiful stain-glass windows.
Parliament Buildings
Lambton Quay, Molesworth Street
The Parliament House was built in 1922, there is the Gothic-style Parliamentary Library and the circular Beehive amongst other buildings. There is a free tour which takes about one hour.
Across Lambton Quay is one of the largest wooden structures in the world, the old Government Building which are dating back to 1876.
Carter Observatory
Located in Wellington Botanic Garden near the upper Cable Car Station. There are astronomy displays as well as shows in the planetarium.
www.carterobservatory.org
www.carterobs.ac.nz
Katherine Mansfield Birthplace
25 Tinakori Road
Katherine Mansfield (1888 - 1923) was New Zealand's most famous author. The house hosts exhibitions about her life and writings. Attached is a beautiful garden as it used to be during the time of Katherine.
Mount Victoria Lookout
Watch for the signs at Courtenay Place
A great and easy to reach viewpoint because there is a road to the top of 196 meter summit.
Museums
Te Papa is the best known and a must see during your stay but there are several other worth to choose from.
Te Papa - Museum of New ZealandCable Street
New Zealand's national museum is dedicated to Maori and European settlers as well as to the flora and fauna of the country. There are also changing exhibitions and you'll probably come back a second time to see more of the exhibitions. Most of them are free. The carpark is worth to think about as fees are fairly reasonable.
Archives New Zealand
10 Mulgrave Street
The original Treaty of Waitangi is on display as well as some other less well-known documents.
Museum of Wellington City & Sea
Queen's Wharf
A lot of ship models, figureheads and an old cabin from a steamship are just some of the highlights of the museum.
www.museumofwellington.co.nz
www.bondstore.co.nz
Cable Car Museum
Start the ride at Lambton Quay.
You'll find the Cable Car Museum at the top of the Cable.
www.wellingtoncablecar.co.nz
www.cablecarmuseum.co.nz
Parks and Gardens
Botanical Garden
Several separate areas for native and exotic plant. There is an entrance at the upper Cable Car Station.
Wellington Zoo
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Otari Wilton's BushWilton Road, Wilton
A huge Botanic Garden dedicated to New Zealand's native plants. There are several kilometer of walking tracks as well as a tree top walk.
Walks
The i-Site provides brochures of Heritage Walks around the city. See also the Otari Wilton's Bush above for walks around native plants.
Gateway to the South Island
Ferry to the South Island
You can choose between Bluebridge Cook Strait ferry and Interislander. The i-Site can book tickets for you but you can easily do it yourself at the websites of the ferry companies.
Book well in advance during New Zealand's summer holidays!
www.bluebridge.co.nz
www.interislander.co.nz
