TE PAPA TONGAREWA
New Zealand’s National Museum - Wellington
Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum, is both a landmark and a cultural icon on the waterfront of Wellington’s CBD.
The inside of the building contains treasures of the past, interactive exhibits and a rich representation of NZ’s natural environment. The outside landscaping is also a wonderful experience with native plantings, water features and sculptures.
Location: 55 Cable Street, Wellington
Price: Free - a charge applies for some exhibits
Hours: 10am to 6pm daily
Photograph courtesy of Te Papa Museum
Photograph courtesy of Te Papa Museum
Photograph courtesy of Te Papa Museum
Photograph courtesy of Te Papa Museum
CARTER OBSERVATORY - Wellington
Carter Observatory’s nine-metre planetarium has a full dome digital theatre offering a virtual tour into space.
In this hands-on multimedia space visitors control their own space experience starting with the beginning of time. The revamped observatory has a distinctly Kiwi flavour that combines scientific and Māori astronomy, with special focus on the importance of the stars to traditional Māori navigation.
Heralded as a world-class facility and a must-see visitor destination, the white-domed observatory is an iconic form that sits at the top of the Botanic Garden - overlooking central Wellington and only two minutes walk from the capital city’s famous cable car.
Location: Wellington Botanic Gardens
Price: Adults $18.50 - Child $8 - under 4's free.
Hours: 10am till 5pm M,W, Th, F, Su - Tues, Sat till 9.30pm
ORIENTAL BAY - Wellington
Situated against the northern slope of Mount Victoria, Oriental Bay is the closest beach to the central city on Wellington Harbour. In summer Oriental Bay is very popular for party goers, swimmers and families.
Oriental Bay was named after one of the first ships to bring settlers to Wellington.
With a newly created man made beach you'll find many enjoyable moments lapping up the sun or swimming out to the barge which is frequently covered with swimmers.
Anybody staying in central Wellington will likely find themselves walking, biking or skating along the promenade to Oriental Bay. Here historic homes cling to the hillside, overlooked by the imposing Saint Gerard's Catholic Church and Monastery. Water’s edge restaurants promise a restful view of the boat harbour and beyond.
Web: http://www.wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz/experience/play/play_spaces/oriental_bay
Photograph courtesy of Surf Lifesaving NZ
LYALL BAY BEACH - Wellington
Just through the tunnel from Wellingtons City Centre Basin Reserve and turning left at the first set of lights you'll find a quaint suburb, Lyall Bay.
Keep going left and you'll find Lyall Bay beach, an attractive beach to enjoy your hot summers day where you can body board and surf to your hearts content.
The beach provides both left and right breakers, there are also surfboards available for rent at the local surf shop.
Location: Head for Kilbirnie, then south down Onepu Rd.
Photo courtesy of Lawrence S.
THE DOWSE ART MUSEUM - Lower Hutt
The Dowse experience is a constantly changing mix of exciting, innovative exhibitions and events. These range from hip hop to high art, ceramics to design, fashion to animation.
You'll never know what to expect next at this fun and engaging art museum.
The Dowse brings out the creativity in everyone.
Location: 45 Laings Rd Lower Hutt.
Price: free
Hours: 10am till 5pm
Photograph courtesy of Wellington Tourism
THE WATERFRONT - Wellington
There’s a lot to do on Wellington’s CBD waterfront. You can hire a kayak for a paddle on the harbour, get high with a crazy bungy bounce, pedal the bays on a multi-person croc bike, go rock climbing or hire some inline skates. And if that sounds too energetic, simply pick a spot on the grass and watch it all happen.
Between the city buildings and Wellington harbour, you’ll discover waterfront cafés, inspiring sculptures and restful parks linked by walkways overlooking the sea. The lagoon next to Frank Kitts Park provides a sheltered training area for the local rowing club. It’s a great place to sit with your feet in the water while enjoying an ice cream cone in the sun.
Location: Wellington Waterfront. Parallel to Lambton Quay, harbour side.
Price: free
Photograph courtesy of Bob McCree
Photograph courtesy of Rob Suisted
Photograph courtesy of Bob McCree
CIVIC SQUARE - Wellington
Step from the bustling streets of Wellington into the Civic Square and immediately there is a sense of more sedate times. The spacious paved square is bordered by civic buildings that include the grand town hall, city library, art gallery and the visitor information centre. Sculptures, such as the suspended fern ball cleverly complement the restful atmosphere.
Exploring the inner city and waterfront with a friendly guide is a great way to start your visit to Wellington. You’ll get to know your way around, discover fascinating local stories and find out what’s on during your stay.
Wellington’s scenic walkways and open spaces make it easy to stroll right into the heart of this vibrant city.
Location: Civic Square, parallel to Lambton Quay on the Waterfront.
Web: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/13394/civic-square
Photograph courtesy of Rob Suisted
CUBA STREET SHOPS - Wellington
Closed to vehicles, the paved mall makes it easy to stroll from one boutique to the next. Cafe's and bars spill on to the pavement, while artists and street musicians add to the unique atmosphere.
Location: Cuba St, Wellington. Top of the city, above Manners Mall.
Hours: 24
Price: free, buskers may desire donations.
Web: http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba_Street,_Wellington
Photo courtesy of Rob Suisted
Photo courtesy of Rob Suisted
Photo courtesy of Rob Suisted
Photograph courtesy of Rob Suisted
RED ROCKS - Owhiro Bay Coast, Wellington
Formed 200 million years ago, the Red Rocks that give Red Rocks Reserve it's name were formed by volcanic eruptions.
You will find a wonderful walkway here which follows the coastline to the seal colony at Sinclair Head. Here you will find male seals from May to October fattening up for the breeding season.
Location: aim for Owhiro Bay and walk around the coast via the Bach Cafe and Owhiro Bay Parade.
Web: http://wellington.govt.nz/recreation/beaches-and-coast/southern-suburbs/red-rocks-pariwhero
Photograph courtesy of Ian Trafford
SCORCHING BAY - Wellington
Very popular with visitors and locals, Scorching Bay is the perfect place to be on a hot summers day. The beach is one of Wellingtons nicest sandy beaches and is nestled in a sheltered bay with a large grassy area and cafe to make your day even more enjoyable. There are also changing sheds available for you if you wish to go for a swim.
Scorching Bay is popular with divers, locals and visitors, you may even see a pod of orca swim by or sight a seal over by the rocks.
Location: Massey Rd, Scorching Bay. Head out to Miramar, should be well signposted.
Web: http://wellington.govt.nz/recreation/beaches-and-coast/eastern-suburbs/scorching-bay
Photograph courtesy of Ian Trafford
CABLE CAR MUSEUM - Wellington
The Cable Car Museum is a small but groovy Museum which tells the
cable car's story from its construction in 1902.
From here you can take the cable car back down the hill, or ramble down through the Botanic Gardens.
Location: 1 Upland Rd Kelburn, Wellington.
Price: free admission
Hours: 8.30am to 5pm everyday.
WELLINGTON CABLE CAR - Wellington
One of Wellington's most popular tourist attractions, the cars run from Lambton Quay in the commercial heart of the city and emerge in the Wellington Botanic Garden where the Lookout, Carter Observatory, Planetarium and Cable Car Museum are located.
Visitors can take a return trip from the city, or walk back down through the gardens and Thorndon (New Zealand’s oldest suburb) or historic Bolton Street cemetery, emerging across the road from Parliament.
Location: 1 Upland Rd Kelburn & Cable Car Lane, 280 Lambton Quay, Wgtn.
Price: Adult $7 return, child $2.50.
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Sat 8.30am-10pm, Sun & Pub Holidays 9am-9pm.
Photograph courtesy of Ian Trafford
Wellington, Eastbourne, Lower Hutt, Wainuiomata, Porirua, Upper Hutt, Johnsonville, Newlands, Tawa
Wellington Sights
Rob Suisted
Wellington - famed for its lively cafes, shopping, entertainment venues, nightlife and harbour setting, is also known as the nation’s arts and culture capital.
Built on the edge of a harbour with surrounding hills, and renowned as the country's capital, Wellington is regarded as New Zealand's 'creative capital'.
The city is home to the Museum of New Zealand "Te Papa Tongarewa", the country's Symphony Orchestra and the Royal New Zealand Ballet, "The Treaty of Waitangi" - New Zealand’s founding document is also held here.
A Polynesian explorer -Kupe, is credited with discovering Wellington harbour in the 10th century - several places on the Wellington peninsula have been named by him including Matiu / Somes Island and Makaro / Ward Island.
It is said that Kupe first landed in the Hokianga Harbour at the tip of the north island. From here he visited many parts of the country, to eventually bring his own people to settle in New Zealand.
Wellington's food scene is renowned. The capital has more than 300 bars, cafe's and restaurants, and boasts more places to eat and drink per capita than New York.
A vibrant inner city, Wellington is a mix of lively cafés and restaurants, boutique shopping, heritage buildings, museums, galleries, and entertainment venues, all a few steps in any direction.
Wellington is considered New Zealand's art and culture capital as well as the centre of New Zealand’s film industry. Annual international events include the International Arts Festival, Wellington Sevens Rugby tournament, and World of Wearable Art awards.
"more places to eat and drink per capita than New York, boasting more than 300 bars, cafe's and restaurants."
