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Introduction: Wellington’s city centre, built on land reclaimed in the 1800s, bustles with activity day and night, its vibrant Courtney Place bar and café scene drawing locals and visitors out to socialize in all weathers. A couple of blocks away, the sleek lines of the National Museum, Te Papa Tongarewa (Our Place), hint at the treasures within. Portraying the many cultures of this immigrant nation, its exhibitions (mostly free) are a kaleidoscope of contemporary and historic society in New Zealand. The Museum is part of the Wellington Waterfront Development, a project expanding the harbour-front’s recreation and relaxation amenities. Extending through five precincts, Wellington’s waterfront is showcased in attractions such as the Wellington Writers Walk, which tracks 15 sculptures along its length. While public art punctuates Wellington’s compact City Centre, performing arts are its lifeblood. The City is alive with major arts and fringe festivals, is the home of New Zealand’s Symphony Orchestra, the NBR New Zealand Opera, and the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and is affectionately known in the New Zealand film industry as Wellywood. In political circles, life centres around ‘The Beehive’, whose corridors of power are part of the regular free tours which take place every day. Beyond the City Centre, double-storied villas and hillside parks crowd the hills surrounding the Harbour, laced together by narrow winding streets. With parking at a premium, Wellington’s public transport system is a well-developed mix of bus, train and ferry services, extending north to the Kapiti coast, north-east to the Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa, and east to Day’s Bay, Eastbourne. Though there are many sights to see within the Central City, the chance to leave the car behind and explore Wellington’s charms this way is one that shouldn’t be missed.
Wellington City Transport Information
With parking at a premium, Wellington’s public transport system is a well-developed mix of bus, train and ferry services.
TIP: Wellington’s Public Transport Co-ordinator, Metlink, offers timetable information direct to your mobile, sending details of the next three scheduled services from a specified stop (displayed at the stop) using their txtBUS and txtTRAIN services.
Trains:
Seven local and regional train lines operate from central Wellington Station. The Johnsonville (JVL), Paraparaumu (PPL), Capital Connection (PNL) and Overlander (TOL) lines service the north-western suburbs, the Kapiti Coast, Palmerston North, and towns on the Main Trunk Line north to Auckland. The Melling (MEL), Hutt Valley (HVL) and Masterton (WRL) lines service the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa regions, to Masterton. Tickets for local services are available at Wellington, Porirua, Paraparaumu, Waterloo, Petone and Upper Hutt Stations, or on-board from the conductor. Tickets for the journey north on the Overlander should be purchased in advance.
For full timetable, fare and route information:
www.metlink.org.nz
www.tranzscenic.co.nz
Buses: travel to all suburbs, the Kapiti Coast, Porirua, the Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa from points near Wellington Train Station and along Lambton Quay. Tickets are available on-board from the driver.
For full timetable, fare and route information:
www.metlink.org.nz
Passenger ferries: run regularly on weekdays from Queens Wharf (CBD) to Days Bay (eastern Harbour), with stops at Matiu Somes Island on midday cruises. During the weekends, scheduled trips via Matiu Somes are more frequent, and in addition, stops at Seatoun and Petone are added to some sailings. Tickets are available on-board (cash or eft-pos) or from the East-West Ticket Office on the Ground Floor, Meridian Building, Customhouse Quay.
For full timetable, fare and route information:
www.metlink.org.nz
Taxis: may be hired directly from taxi ranks throughout the city, or a pre-arranged pick-up from a specific address can be ordered by phone or online. At peak times or on public holidays, arrange your taxi well in advance. Your accommodation host will advise on travel times. Note: Taxis cannot be hailed in New Zealand.
Check out www.greencabs.co.nz (hybrid fleet)
www.corporatecabs.co.nz
www.taxis.co.nz
Wellington Airport:
Website
WELLINGTON REGION
Wellington City lies at the south-western tip of the North Island, its harbour opening onto the tempestuous Cook Strait. Surrounded by hilly terrain and in the unimpeded path of the region’s prevailing winds, Wellington is often known as Windy Wellington. Although umbrellas have little effect when it rains here, these sometimes blustery conditions have allowed the development of several wind farms in the region, whose giant turbines line the ridges, blades turning in a stately dance.
The geographical and political hub of New Zealand, the City Centre lies on the western shores of Wellington Harbour, while its satellite cities in the Hutt Valley stretch inland from the Harbour’s northern shores. To the East, the seaside suburbs of Eastbourne and Day’s Bay are backed by the Rimutaka Ranges, which separate the greater Wellington region from the plains of the Wairarapa, and the towns of Martinborough and Greytown. Picturesque restored buildings, vineyards and gourmet food producers make this area a favourite weekend destination, and its temperate climate draws many people to live beyond the Rimutakas. Nowadays, it’s not unusual to commute into the City. North of the City, the Kapiti Coast stretches along the West Coast, hemmed in by the Tasman Sea and the Tararua Ranges. Joined to the central city by SH1 and the suburban rail system, the Coast’s main settlements are Paekakariki, Paraparumu and Waikanae. Kapiti’s long sandy beaches stretch invitingly into the distance, and, under perfect skies, the South Island skyline seems invitingly close on the horizon.
The region’s parks offer ample opportunities to explore. The Tararua and Rimutaka Forest Parks offer walking, tramping, kayaking, mountain biking, rafting, hunting and fishing within their boundaries, while offshore, Kapiti Island Nature Reserve offers restricted access, limiting visitor numbers to 68 per day to two locations on the Island. Permits, issued by DOC, must be obtained separately before transport to the Island is arranged. The Kapiti Island Marine Reserve, embracing part of the northern coast of the Island, provides excellent diving opportunities.
The Wellington region is a charming mix of urbane city energy and untamed nature, whose juxtaposition offers visitors a wide range of activities in close proximity.
Interislander ferry departure to the South Island.
Mac's Brewery
Te Aho a Maui, Rewi Thompson's split pyramid, graces Wellington's Civic Square
 Wellington.jpg)
The Beehive, with statue of Richard Seddon (PM 1893-1906)