Views
Get a 360o view of the city and harbour, and a great photo opportunity at the Mount Victoria Lookout. You can drive all the way up or walk through the town, then sit on the grass as the sun goes down and the lights come up. Bliss.
The Cable Car is a Wellington icon and runs from Lambton Quay up to Kelburn, where at the top you'll discover the Cable Car Museum and Carter Observatory. With interactive displays, a state-of-the-art digital planetarium and historic telescopes, it's an amazing way to view the stars.
Movies
Get a glimpse into the imagination and artistry behind some of the world's most spectacular movies at the Weta Cave mini-museum, or discover The Lord of the Rings on the location tour.
Museum
The national museum of New Zealand, Te Papa, is fascinating and fun for curious minds of any age, and even better, it's free. The innovative and interactive exhibits tell stories of New Zealand's unique geological, biological, cultural and social history in new and exciting ways.
Zoo
If you've ever wanted to hand feed a lion or stroke a cheetah's fur, you can do this at Wellington Zoo, the ‘best little zoo in the world'. Book a Close Encounter for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, or simply enjoy more than 100 species of animals, such as Tasmanian Devils and ASB Malayan Sun Bears, the only bears native to New Zealand.
New Zealand life
Wellington's waterfront is dotted with cafés, parks, sculpture, bars, ice cream vendors and hundreds of walking, jogging, skating and cycling Wellingtonians! For a swim or sunbathe, head for Oriental Bay Beach.
Cuba Street is a bohemian haven with some of the city's most colourful shops, bars and cafés. Street entertainers might paint the street, play percussive guitar or play with fire. A wonderful place to soak up some atmosphere.
Bars, restaurants and cafés
Wellington is said to have more bars and restaurants per person than New York, and is also known as the craft beer capital. With vineyards just up the road and world-renowned coffee, it has all the ingredients of a true culinary capital.
Havana Bar on Wigan Street really is the pick of the crop, if you are looking for a few drinks, a meal and a long, relaxed evening in delightful surroundings. The Cuban-themed bar and restaurant is located in two beautiful old Wellington cottages, providing an ideal escape from everyday life. The bar has a wide range of beer, wines and spirits, both Cuban and otherwise, and the restaurant serves Spanish-inspired tapas and a changing weekly menu. With live music and DJs on most days, it's surely the ideal restaurant, in an idyllic city.
