Holiday in Wellington

What makes Wellington special as a destination?

Wellington, New Zealand's capital, is the southernmost capital in the world and a compact, creative city nestled between steep hills and the harbor. Known as Windy Wellington, the city withstands the storms of the Roaring Forties with an unwavering café and culture scene. Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum, is Wellington's crown jewel: interactive, free, and brilliantly designed, it tells the story of New Zealand from geology to Māori culture and the Treaty of Waitangi. The Weta Workshop tour (Peter Jackson's film studio where The Lord of the Rings and Avatar were created) is a pilgrimage site for film fans. Cuba Street, the colorful pedestrian zone, is the soul of Wellington: independent cafés, vintage shops, street art, and a bohemian flair reminiscent of Portland or Melbourne. The café culture is legendary — Wellington has more cafés per capita than New York and roasts some of the best coffee in the Southern Hemisphere. The Cable Car from the city center to the Botanical Garden offers iconic views over the harbor. The coastal promenade at Oriental Bay has a nearly Mediterranean feel, and the Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary protects endangered New Zealand birds in a fenced rainforest in the middle of the city.