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- Destinations
- Australasia
- New Zealand
- Wellington
Wellington
The capital city of New Zealand, Wellington is located at the
southern tip of the North Island. It is situated on a splendid
harbour and hemmed in by steep hills, creating a compact inner city
centre with a mix of historic and modern buildings. It is the
second largest city in the country, the energetic centre for
culture and arts, and the entertainment, commercial and political
capital of New Zealand with an air of pronounced sophistication and
vibrancy. Apart from its importance as the capital, it is the main
departure point for the South Island.
Also called 'Windy Wellington', it lives up to its name
especially in winter when the lashing winds from the Cook Strait
whistle through the wind funnels created by the high-rise buildings
of the central business district. The bustling, pretty waterfront
area is a sheltered refuge with a graceful promenade, featuring
shops, restaurants and various leisure activities. Brightly
coloured sails scud across the harbour, the reliable wind providing
excellent sailing and windsurfing opportunities. The ferry to the
picturesque Days Bay, one of Wellington's best swimming beaches,
affords excellent views of the city from the water. Dominating the
waterfront is the Te Papa Museum, the pride and joy of the nation
that embodies the quintessence of New Zealand and its people.
In the city centre the Parliamentary District is the
architectural masterpiece of Wellington, including the Old
Government Building, the second largest wooden building in the
world; the unmistakable modernist Beehive, the executive offices of
Parliament; Parliament House and the Victorian Gothic National
Library.
The cable car takes people up to the Botanic Gardens for vistas
of the city centre and across the harbour to the Hutt Valley, one
of the scenic locations used in the filming of 'Lord of the Rings'.
Another film site is Mount Victoria, offering sweeping panoramic
views of the city and its suburbs, the surrounding hills and bays,
and the harbour.
Information & Facts
Climate
Wellington's climate is mild, with plenty of wind. Summers are
mild and sunny and winters are wet and mild. The average
temperature in January and February (the two hottest months) is
61°F (16°C) and in July, the coldest month, the average temperature
is 47°F (8°C).
Getting Around
Wellington is very compact and it is easy to explore on foot,
but the public transport option is a good one, for the city has an
excellent system. Stagecoach is the name of the local bus service,
which operates between 7am and 11.30pm each day, offering a
Daytripper pass. The pass is also valid on the City Circular
service, a hop-on-hop-off bus, which does the round of the top ten
sightseeing spots every ten minutes. Taxis are another option,
plentiful and convenient. A cable car connects downtown Wellington
to the Botanic Gardens on the hilltop. Ferries ply between
Wellington harbour and the village of Eastbourne. Those wishing to
explore the outlying regions like the Hutt Valley, Wairarapa wine
country, or Kapiti Coast can make use of the Tranz Metro train
service.
Language
The official languages in New Zealand are English and
Maori.
Money
Local currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD), divided into 100
cents. Most businesses accept MasterCard and Visa, and while Diners
Club and American Express are also widely accepted in the main
tourist centres, they might have limited acceptance elsewhere.
Travellers cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at banks,
bureaux de change and some hotels. ATMs can be found in all towns
and cities.
Night Life
Wellington hosts a vibrant nightlife scene with a selection of
pubs, bars and clubs all within a relatively short distance of one
another in the city. Whether you're after a big night out, dance
clubs, live music, chilled bars or quirky decor, Wellington has
something on offer for everyone.
San Francisco Bath House is a popular live music venue in
Wellington and plays host to a number of local bands, while Mighty
Mighty is another great venue, with interesting decor, for those
wishing to catch a live band. Good Luck is more suited to those who
enjoy alternative music genres, it has a great dance floor and a
chill-out area. Hope Bros is a trendy restaurant by day, and at
night the tables are cleared and packed away to make room for a
soon to be packed dance floor. Finally, the drum and bass scene is
becoming more and more popular in New Zealand and Sandwiches is the
place to go if drum and bass is your thing.