By Rama Gaind.
Wellington Harbour is the large natural harbour on the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island. New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington, is located on its western side. Photo: Rama Gaind
It is oh, so true: Wellington, New Zealand, is a cosmopolitan city with an energetic personality. What’s more, it’s a compact with a powerful mix of culture, nature and cuisine.
No wonder it has been voted the best place to live in the world.
Deutsch Bank’s most recent ‘Liveable City Index’ has named New Zealand’s cool little capital – Wellington – number one for the second year in a row!
The bank’s index ranks world cities in categories such as safety in the city, health care, cost of living, pollution and climate. Wellington has topped the table against bigger and arguably better-known cities including Zurich (2nd), Copenhagen (3rd), Edinburgh (4th) and Vienna (5th).
Wellington, with a population of more than 450,000, is a city best experienced like a local. Wellington Mayor Justin Lester encourages visitors to ditch the maps and guides and get lost in this vibrant city.
“Being the world’s best place to live also makes Wellington one of the best places to visit,” Mayor Lester said. “It has all the benefits of a big city – great restaurants, shopping, art, events, markets – but all in a compact area surrounded by a beautiful harbour on one side, and bush-clad hills on the other.”
“On an international scale we are safe, affordable and we’ve got good transport connections. Most importantly we’ve got a city full of wonderful people, which makes being here a pleasure.”
This capital is a magnetic draw card. New Zealand, a small island nation, is home to around 4.7 million people and is located in the Pacific Ocean.
Top spots
The Wellington Cable Car is a funicular railway between Lambton Quay, the main shopping street, and Kelburn, a suburb in the hills overlooking the central city, rising 120m over a length of 612m.
Wellington has a vibrant creative culture fuelled by great food, wine, craft beer, coffee and so much more. There’s so much to see and do here, so here’s just a small list of some of the top must-do’s when you visit Wellington.
Discover the treasures and stories of New Zealand at Te Papa, the bold and innovative national museum. It’s fascinating and fun for curious minds of any age. A recognised world-leader in interactive and visitor-focused museum experiences, Te Papa lets you experience the nation’s art, culture and science – all in one breathtaking waterfront location.
The exhibits are innovative and interactive, telling stories of New Zealand’s unique geological, biological, cultural and social history in new and exciting ways. General admission, by the way is free, though some touring exhibitions may not be.
New Zealand’s geology and natural environment, and the stories of New Zealand’s indigenous people, the Maori, are celebrated in Te Papa’s permanent exhibitions. An exciting range of exhibitions display New Zealand’s diverse art and visual culture and top-rating international exhibitions tour regularly.
Te Papa’s program also features free events and entertainment, performances, floor talks, lectures, and more. There are also many other museums and galleries.
Now make your way to enjoy 360-degree views from the top of Mount Victoria. Rising 196m above the city, the Mount Victoria Lookout is a Wellington must-do. Head to the lookout and be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of Wellington city and harbour, and beyond.
Located right next to the central business district, you can drive all the way up, or take a walkway through the bush-covered town belt. From the top, you’ll enjoy the views of Tinakori Hill, the Hutt Valley and Eastern harbour bays, Matiu/Somes Island and the Miramar Peninsula. Beyond are Baring and Pencarrow Heads and further to the right, Wellington’s southern suburbs and Mt Mathews, Wellington’s highest point to the east.
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand’s national museum, located in Wellington. Te Papa, or ‘our place’, opened in 1998.
Take a picnic with you, settle in on the hillside and relax while watching ferries and cruise ships sail into the harbour and planes fly in and out of the airport. This is also one of the best spots in the city for taking in a sunrise or sunset.
You can get a panoramic view of city and harbour, and the photo opportunities are endless. You can drive all the way up, or walk through the town belt greenery. Grab some fish and chips and sit on the grass as the sun goes down and the lights come up.
You can also taste your way around the city.
Wellington is said to have more bars and restaurants per capita than New York City, and with rich farmland to the north and ocean’s bounty to the south, those restaurants are spectacularly good. It’s also known as the craft beer capital, and as for their coffee … it’s described as being “legendary”.
Cable car views
Why not ride the historic Wellington Cable Car which is a city icon. It runs from Lambton Quay up to Kelburn, where at the top there’s a lookout, the Cable Car Museum and Space Place at Carter Observatory. With interactive displays, a state-of- the-art digital planetarium and historic telescopes, it’s a virtual voyage to the stars. Come back down to earth (and the city) through the beautiful Botanic Garden.
Travel back in time at the Zealandia Sanctuary in Karori. Just a 10-minute drive from downtown Wellington, it’s hidden in a suburban valley. This project aims to return a 225-hectare section of bush to its pre-human state. Take a walk and hear the songs of the flourishing native bird population. Volunteer guides help you make the most, and you can even book a night tour for kiwi spotting.
Take a wander around the waterfront to Oriental Bay.
You can also check out New Zealand’s world famous movie-making magic. Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the imagination and artistry behind some of the world’s most spectacular movies at the Weta Cave mini-museum, where the special effects wizardry happens. Alternatively, why not put yourself in the picture with a The Lord of the Rings location tour. If you love film, then there’s lots more movie tours and attractions for you.
Fine-looking harbour
The Mount Victoria Lookout is easily accessible from Wellington’s city centre and offers 360-degree scenic views. The Mount Victoria walk takes you up Mount Victoria at 196m for 360-degree scenic views of Wellington, New Zealand.
Wellington’s waterfront is beautiful, dotted with cafes, parks, sculpture, bars and ice cream vendors. Join hundreds of Wellingtonians walking, jogging, skating, cycling or crocodile biking. Stop by one of three markets on the weekend, then aim for Oriental Bay beach to have a swim or just soak up the sun.
Why not discover more family-friendly sights and attractions? Have a close encounter at Wellington Zoo. You could get a chance to hand-feed a giraffe, play with a mob of meerkats or stroke a cheetah’s fur. ‘Book a Close Encounter’ for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, or just enjoy the more than 100 species of animals in the collection.
Let a local show you around Wellington. A guided tour is the best way to get quickly acquainted with Wellington. Walk the city meeting the city’s coffee roasters and tasting gourmet foods. Go mountain biking with expert guides, head off-road to visit hard-to-reach wildlife or take to the skies for a spectacular bird’s eye view.
Cruise down Cuba Street. A bohemian haven with some of the city’s most colourful shops, bars and cafes, it’s home to hipsters, artists and lovers of vintage. Street entertainers might play percussive guitar, put on a marionette show or play with fire. Don’t forget to get your photo of the Bucket Fountain. Find out more about shopping Wellington-style. You never know what you’ll find on your voyage of discovery!
