Wellington

Out and About in Wellington

By Jacqui W.

Back in the 1970’s it was said that Wellington closed on weekends. Times have changed since then.

Now boasting a vibrancy and sophistication to rival other larger cities, and truly breathtaking scenery, a weekend in Wellington is a must-do.

Wellington is set in a natural amphitheatre – surrounded by lush hills and spread around a spectacular harbour. It is renowned for its wind; the southerlies that blow in from Cook Strait can be phenomenal. The city is always interesting, but on a calm, sunny day, the place is delightful.
Whether your budget is that of a student or a lottery winner, there is something for everyone.

You can start your day with a serious coffee from one of the many iconic cafes, such as Mojo or Café L’Affare which roast their beans on site. Follow that with a stroll along the waterfront from Queen’s Wharf to Oriental Bay. While on your walk, why not make a detour to the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Or catch the infamous Cable Car up to the Botanic Gardens, for great views of the city and harbour as well as the obvious – gardens!

Of course, if you prefer getting up close with nature, then put on your hiking boots and experience Wellington’s rugged and wild coastline. The Makara Beach walk is a 7km loop offering spectacular views of the Coast. The track is quite steep in places but the view from the top is well worth the effort.
Another popular area for environment lovers is Te Kopahou Reserve  - 600 hectares of land where you can find a variety of walking and mountain biking tracks, popular diving, surfcasting and beachcombing areas and fur seals colonies.

No visit to Wellington would be complete without a Lord Of The Rings tour. Much of the trilogy was filmed in and around Wellington, with director Peter Jackson calling the city home. There are some excellent companies offering tours of “Middle Earth”, complete with Orc-sized picnic lunches.

By now you’re probably exhausted and in need of a good lie down, but that will have to wait. Once the sun has hit the deck Wellington is not devoid of life as it was once reputed to be. From the numerous bars and cafés of Wellington central, to the theatre district of Courtney Place, to Cuba Street and its bohemian style, there is something for everyone.

Accommodation ranges from the budget backpackers’ hostels to five-star hotels in the windy city. And from the day you have had, you’ll be needing a comfy bed.

As you can see Wellington is now open – even on weekends.