Capital of New Zealand, Wellington is a vibrant city. It's located on the south western tip of the country's North Island, about 650 km (403 mi) from Auckland. Often called "Windy Wellington", it is the world's southernmost capital of a sovereign state.

Day 1

Wellington

10:00AM
Old St Paul's
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Built in 1866, Old St. Paul's is an historic site, a Wellington landmark and a popular wedding- and event-venue. The building functioned as the cathedral of the Diocese of Wellington of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia between 1866 and 1964. It exemplifies 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture adapted to colonial conditions and materials. The area is served by many bus lines at Molesworth Street - Parliament - Stop E.

11:00AM
Beehive
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The Beehive is the common name for the Executive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings. It is so-called because of its shape is reminiscent of that of a traditional woven form of beehive known as a "skep". The top floor is occupied by the Cabinet room, with the Prime Minister's offices on the ninth floor. In 2015, Heritage New Zealand declared the Beehive "of outstanding heritage significance for its central role in the governance of New Zealand".

12:30PM
Wellington Cable Car
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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. The one way trip takes approximately five minutes. Opened in 1902, the Wellington Cable Car is widely recognised as a symbol of Wellington. There is also the Cable Car Museum located in the original winding house.

2:00PM
Wellington Botanic Garden
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Established in 1868, the Wellington Batanic Garden features 25 hectares of protected native forest, conifers, plant collections, seasonal displays and a large Victorian-style glasshouse. It also feature a variety of non-native species, including an extensive Rose Garden. It is classified as a Garden of National Significance.

4:00PM
Wellington Museum
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Wellington Museum occupies the 1892 Bond Store, a historic building on the waterfront of Wellington Harbour. It was recently voted as one of the top 50 museums in the world The Times, London. The museum covers the maritime history of Wellington, early Maori and European settlement, and the growth of the region. It tells Wellington's stories and how the city has evolved over its 150 years as capital of New Zealand.

Day 2

Wellington

10:00AM
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
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Originally founded in 1865, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum and art gallery of New Zealand. It is commonly known as Te Papa and Our Place; "Te Papa Tongarewa" is broadly translated as "the place of treasures of this land". Its collections emcompasses history and artifacts of the Pacific Islands, fossils and archaeozoology and Māori taonga cultural treasures.

1:30PM
Oriental Bay
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Oriental Bay is a suburb located on Wellington Harbour. It has the closest beaches to the central city and is thus a popular spot both for locals and visitors. In the summer months, Oriental Bay becomes a hive of activity. The beach is filled with swimmers, party goers and families.

3:30PM
Mount Victoria Lookout
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Mount Victoria is a prominent 196 metre hill with its residential area on the north-western slopes. Much of Mount Victoria is part of the Wellington Town Belt, a series of park land originally developed in 1873 for public recreation. The area features many tracks used for walking and mountain biking. The lookout provides panoramic vistas of the city, the habour, boats and sunsets. Notably, Mount Victoria was used twice as a location in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

6:00PM
Cuba Street
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Cuba Street is one of the most prominent streets and one of more bohemian areas in Wellington. It is home to an eclectic collection of cafes, op-shops, boutique, fashion stores, art galleries, and music shops. The street is named after an early (1840) settler ship to New Zealand, the Cuba.

Day 3

Wellington

10:00AM
Mount Kaukau
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Mount Kaukau, also known as Tarikaka, is on the western side of the Wellington harbour. The summit is 445 metres above sea level and is the most visible high point in the Wellington landscape. Spectacular views of the city, harbour and the Rimutaka and Tararua Ranges can be experienced from the summit. On a clear day Mt. Tapuaeoenuku and the Bryant Range in the South Island may also be seen. The area is served by the Johnsonville Line train at Simla Crescent Station. From there, it takes about an hour to hike up to the summit.

2:30PM
ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary
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Zealandia, formerly known as the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, is a protected natural area in Wellington, where the biodiversity of 225 ha (just under a square mile) of forest is being restored. The sanctuary, surrounded by a pest-exclusion fence, is a good example of an ecological island, which allows the natural ecosystems to thrive by minimising those introduced pressures. It has become a significant tourist attraction in recent years.

6:00PM
Scorching Bay Beach
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Schoching Bay is part of Karaka Bays, a suburb that lies on the northeast coast of the Miramar Peninsula and has an expansive view of Wellington Harbour. Karaka Bay takes its name from a New Zealand native tree, the karaka or New Zealand laurel. The area was historically connected with whaling - Coombe Rocks, a series of rocky islets off the coast, were used as a watching pace for cetaceans. In recent years marine mammals have returned to the area, with seals commonly sighted along the coast and orca occasionally visible offshore.

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