Wellington Attractions

Venue: Te Papa Museum    When: Daily

Te Papa is one of the few museums in the world that can claim to have been built from scratch in the last decade. Opened in 1998, New Zealand's National Museum is widely regarded as one of the finest in the world.

Twenty galleries explore the country's flora, fauna, European influences and Maori culture, including displays of weapons, bone and jade carvings, sailing craft, tribal customs and a section on the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document.

Awesome Forces demonstrates what happens during natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslips and earthquakes, including a hands-on room allowing you to experience a simulated earthquake. Mountains to the Sea and Bush City also focus on natural heritage, featuring a waterfall and glowworm cave.

Exploring the human angle, Passports concentrates on European immigrants and the hardships and triumphs they experienced in their quest to start a new life. The meeting of cultures, enshrined in the Treaty of Waitangi, is investigated in Signs of a Nation - a multimedia presentation bringing the nation's founding document to life.

There are also activity displays, including Golden Days (pre-booking essential), where you walk into an old junk shop, sit on one of the mismatched chairs and witness a magical experience in watching New Zealand's most notable events unfold on a screen as items in the junk shop come to life.

Time Warp contains two kids' rides. Blastback takes travellers back to the creation of Aotearoa (New Zealand) while Future Rush takes you 50 years into the future. You can also do a virtual bungee jump (without risking life and limb).

Te Papa's curators have conspired to create exhibits which are skilfully displayed in imaginative and creative ways. The building itself is amazing, with its seamless floors inlaid with paua shells. Rushing a visit would be a shame - there's certainly enough to keep anyone interested for at least a full day, if not two.