Wellington

The compact, creative capital: a harbour city of museums, cafés and craft beer, with wild coast, a predator-free valley sanctuary and the wine country of the Wairarapa close by.

Highlights

• Te Papa The national museum, free to enter, with world-class exhibitions on nature and Māori and Pacific culture.
• Cable car and Botanic Garden Ride up from Lambton Quay and walk down through the gardens.
• Zealandia A fenced eco-sanctuary minutes from the city, full of native birds; book a night tour to see kiwi.
• Food and coffee Cuba Street and the waterfront for some of the best cafés and bars in the country.
• Wairarapa Martinborough wineries, Cape Palliser seals and lighthouse, about an hour or so over the hill.

Best time to go

Wellington can be windy at any time. Summer and early autumn are calmest; winter brings indoor attractions and festivals.

Getting there

Wellington Airport has flights from Australia and all over New Zealand. Ferries (Interislander and Bluebridge) cross Cook Strait to Picton in about three and a half hours.

Main towns

Wellington Central, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Kāpiti Coast, Martinborough, Masterton