Wellington City Travel Guide
Wellington City accommodation, Wellington City activities and attractions, Wellington City maps, transportation to and around Wellington City - the ALL NEW Jasons Wellington City Destination Travel Guide is your complete visitor guide for Wellington City.
Enjoying a spectacular location at the head of Port Nicholson harbour, vibrant Wellington is New Zealand's cosmopolitan capital. The great thing about Wellington is its compact size makes it perfect to explore on foot, yet it's still a city with plenty of urban attitude and sophistication. Wellington enjoys a reputation as New Zealand's Cultural Capital, and it's easy to see why. There's always something to
discover here, from live theatre, bands and ballet to gourmet food tours and boutique beer tasting. A must-see for visitors to Wellington is
Te Papa on Cable Street, the country's bold and innovative national museum.
With the warmer spring and summer weather, there's a full calendar of
events and plenty to do outdoors. If you fancy a seaside stroll, then strike out along Wellington's scenic Oriental Parade, which snakes around the city's waterfront. You can join the swimmers, joggers and windsurfers or dine at one the great al fresco eateries. Down at Queen's Wharf there are museums and cafes or hire a kayak and explore Wellington's beautiful harbour. There are cruises out to Matiu/Somes Island, with its scenic bushwalks and city views, or catch the ferry to Eastbourne and Day's Bay for fashionable beachside cafes.
Walkers will have fun exploring Wellington's great outdoors during the warmer months. Head along the rugged coast to see the seals or enjoy the walking trails and summer flowers at the
Botanic Garden. If walking doesn't appeal, a host of sightseeing tours covers every option, from scenic helicopter flights and gourmet wine escapes to seal coast safaris and tours of
The Lord of the Rings locations
.
Shoppers in Wellington are spoilt for choice with bustling markets and local
designer boutiques to browse, and after a day of taking in the city sights, you can check out the action in Wellington's lively entertainment and
dining precinct, Courtenay Place. For superb city views, climb or drive up the local landmark, Mount Victoria, or catch Wellington's historic
cable car up to the Botanic Garden. There are breathtaking views over Wellington harbour and you can enjoy morning tea in the lovely gardens. Visit the 'Beehive'and the beautifully refurbished
Parliament Buildings in the historic suburb of Thorndon. Other activities in the
Wellington region include windsurfing, kayaking,
hiking, mountain biking. Further afield, you can explore the wineries and heritage towns of the
Wairarapa.
Order your free
Jasons Lower North Island RoutePlanner now.
Order your free
Jasons 'Wellington What's On' Guide now.
Population
165,000
Climate
Summer average: 19°C
Winter average: 5°C
Average rainfall: 1270mm/year
Getting Your Bearings
Built around the harbour, Wellington's main shopping and business precincts run off Lambton Quay and Willis Street. Off Willis Street, turn down Manners or Dixon Street to head to Courtenay Place, a key entertainment and dining precinct. You’ll need to take public transport if most of your business lies in downtown Wellington. The
Hutt Valley lies north of Wellington, incorporating both
Lower Hutt (24km north of Wellington) and
Upper Hutt (39km north of Wellington).