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Oceania, Travel Guides · May 12, 2020

Wellington Travel Guide: What to See and Things to Do

Before we dive into this Wellington travel guide, here are some fun facts…

“Windy Welly” is the capital of New Zealand. It’s situated near the North Island’s southernmost point. And in addition to its strong gales, it has an impressive waterfront, quaint bays and golden beaches.

I know this because I was lucky enough to live in the city centre for six months in 2019.

In fact, from the friendliness of the locals to its indescribable beauty, there are many reasons why you should also visit “the coolest little capital in the world.” (Especially if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan!)

Wellington Travel Guide

How Do You Travel to Wellington?

Granted, Wellington isn’t the easiest city to get to from the UK.

I mean, you’ll probably have to take three flights — two of which are long haul.

You’ll have to connect initially at either Doha, Dubai or Singapore, and connect again to Sydney, Melbourne or Auckland.

Then, and only then, can you go onwards to Wellington. 

That said, Singapore Airlines does offer a direct flight from Singapore to Wellington if you can afford this option instead.

Either way, I know it sounds like a lot of effort to get to Welly, but it really is worth it. I promise!

Where Should You Stay in Wellington?

Depending on your budget, there are many options when it comes to where you can stay in Wellington.

  • Hostels — Nomads, YHA and Base
  • Hotels — The Intercontinental, ibis, Quest Apartments and Sofitel
  • Airbnb — from studio apartments to five-bedroom houses, there are plenty of different types to choose from located in the CBD (Central Business District)

In terms of key areas, the CBD is going to be your best bet for ease of getting around.

That said, the surrounding suburbs of Oriental Bay, Te Aro, Mount Victoria and Thorndon still offer walking access to the CBD.

Wellington Botanic Garden

How Do You Get Around in Wellington?

How useless would a Wellington travel guide be without telling you how to get around?

The good news is that central Welly is very walkable. However, you can also opt for one of the following modes of transport:

  • Uber — very affordable to and from the CBD, convenient and reliable
  • Car rental — Apex and Go Rentals are the most popular companies, but another affordable option is Omega Rentals
  • Bus — the various routes will take you all around the greater Wellington area
  • Taxi — more expensive than Uber, but useful as a last resort
  • Mevo — this service offers car rental by the minute, hour or day for a trip to the supermarket, across town or a weekend away 

Another note on Mevo: this is such a unique and convenient service that my fiancé and I had never come across before.

Essentially, it works like this:

  1. You download the Mevo app where you will be shown available vehicles in your area
  2. You rent a vehicle — either a Volkswagen Polo or an Audi A3 e-tron — and pick it up using an electronic key on the Mevo app
  3. You use the vehicle for as long as you want and then drop it off in a Mevo zone around the city and lock it using the electronic key on the Mevo app

Prices start at 60 cents per minute, 15 dollars per hour or 75 dollars per day.  Included in this price is 200km per day, but it will then cost you 25 cents per additional km.  The fuel and insurance is also included in the pricing.

How handy is that?

What is There to Do in Wellington?

Well, how much time do you have? 

I’m asking because you could easily fill 10 days with Wellington activities.

However, most people spend a good 5-7 days in the Windy City and manage to have a fun, action-packed itinerary during this time.

Either way, make sure you tick off the following items on your Wellington to-do list.

1. Ride the Wellington Cable Car

Unlike any other New Zealand city, Welly is home to the Wellington cable car, which originally opened for service in 1902.

This funicular railway goes between Lambton Quay (the city’s main shopping street) and Kelburn (a suburb in the hills that overlooks the CBD).

Even though the total trip time is about five minutes one way, it’s still an enjoyable thing to do for the interesting, illuminated ride and sublime views when you reach the top.

Wellington Cable Car

2. Visit Wellington Botanic Garden

Another reason why you should ride the city’s cable car is that the journey from Lambton Quay ends at the top of the Wellington Botanic Garden.

Situated on the side of the hill between Thorndon and Kelburn and covering 25 hectares of land, this garden is super pleasant to walk through thanks to its abundance of different plants, flowers and trees.

And it’s also home to Space Place at Carter Observatory, the original astronomical observatory in New Zealand.

Pretty cool, right?

3. Walk Around the Harbour and Down Oriental Parade

From the rich blues of the sea to the greenery of the hills, Wellington is a hybrid of captivating colours. 

This is especially obvious when you walk around the harbour front that features shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as stunning views of Welly.

Make sure you also venture down Oriental Parade until you reach Oriental Bay Beach.

In addition to being able to see the colourful houses on the hills up close, you can also marvel at the city’s very own stunning sandy beach — just a ten minute walk from the central harbour.

Oriental Bay Beach

4. Visit the Mount Victoria Lookout and Brooklyn Viewpoint

You simply can’t visit Wellington without seeing it from up high. You can do this by checking out the Mount Victoria Lookout point that’s around a ten-minute drive from the CBD.

Alternatively, or if you have more time, you can venture to the Brooklyn viewpoint.

This is the highest point in Wellington that also has incredible views. 

And it holds a special place in my heart because it’s where I got engaged on Christmas Day 2019!

Oriental Bay Beach

5. Visit Te Papa Museum

Spanning six floors, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the country’s national museum.

Known simply as Te Papa or “Our Place,” there is so much amazing art, wonderful artefacts and enthralling exhibitions to check out.

In fact, you might just find yourself spending a whole day there!

6. Go to Wellington Zoo

Located in Newtown just outside the CBD, Wellington Zoo features a variety of animals that you can see and sometimes even touch!

And it also has a cracking view of the city.

Newtown Wellington

7. Walk Up Cuba Street

Cuba Street is one of the most prominent streets in Wellington CBD, mostly because it has a unique and distinctive bohemian feel.

As well as vintage shops and independent stores, you’ll also find cute cafes, pubs and restaurants galore.

Cuba Street Wellington Travel Guide

8. Shop Until You Drop at Lambton Quay

Speaking of shopping, the street of Lambton Quay is home to some of New Zealand’s most-loved high street chains and department stores.

In fact, you could easily spend half a day getting lost in some much-needed retail therapy.

9. Visit Zealandia

If you enjoy the great outdoors, spotting wildlife and hiking the day away, you must visit Zealandia.

For those of you who might not know, Zealandia is the world’s first fully-fenced eco-sanctuary. It’s a 500+ acre conservation project that has reintroduced 18 species of wildlife back into the area, some of which were absent from mainland New Zealand for 100+ years.

And it’s amazing how this mostly untouched piece of land is plonked right in the middle of Wellington’s CBD!

Zealandia

10. Rent a Car and Drive Around the Bays

Newsflash: Windy Welly is wondrous (if you haven’t already realised that from this Wellington travel guide).

That said, outer Wellington is just as awe-inspiring.

If you get the opportunity, be sure to rent a car and drive around its many bays, from Oriental Bay all the way around to Red Rocks.

And, on the way, stop off at these charming little villages with compact yet picturesque beaches:

  • Shelly Bay
  • Scorching Bay
  • Lyall Bay
  • Island Bay
  • Owhiro Bay

Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Lyall Bay

11. Check Out the Government Buildings

Situated a five-minute walk from Lambton Quay in Pipitea on the way to Thorndon are the New Zealand parliament buildings.

Made up of the Parliamentary Library, Parliament House and the Beehive, you can wander around them yourself or go one of the free, daily, one-hour guided tours.

Either way, these buildings are sure to impress.

New Zealand Parliament

12. Visit the Lord of the Rings Hotspots

One of the things I love most about New Zealand that I had to include in this Wellington travel guide? It’s that you’re essentially stepping into middle earth. 

There are various things dotted around the country that will satisfy even the biggest Lord of the Rings fans, particularly “Wellywood”.

Wellington earned this nickname because it’s home to the following:

  • Weta Cave in Miramar, where props were made for the trilogy
  • Hobbit Hideaway, the filming location on the Mount Victoria Summit where the hobbits hid from a Black Rider in the Fellowship of the Ring
  • Stone Street Studios in Miramar, where Peter Jackson and his team completed post-production on each film of the trilogy

If you don’t have access to transportation and you’d rather let someone else do all the hard work when it comes to driving you around the hotspots, not to worry — there are many Wellington-based Lord of the Rings guided tours.

Weta Cave

Bottom Line: Is Wellington Worth Visiting?

Is the grass green? Does the earth rotate on its axis? Is the sky blue?

In other words, heck yes, Wellington is worth visiting.

In fact, you’ll probably fall in love with it as much as I did.

And let me tell you, if you spend a good amount of time there, eat well and cover off the best things to see and do, it’s a love affair that will last a lifetime.

Have you been to Windy Welly before? Did you enjoy this Wellington travel guide?

Katie Davies

Katie Davies is the Yorkshire-based freelance writer who founded Trendy Tourist. Since 2017, she has written for over 100 companies on a range of subjects, from fashion to marketing. When she’s not producing content, you can find her shopping, exploring a new place or sitting somewhere having a cup of builder’s tea.

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Posted By: Katie Davies · In: Oceania, Travel Guides

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MORE AIRPORT LOOKS ✨ …that are comfy yet styl MORE AIRPORT LOOKS ✨
…that are comfy yet stylish!
1. Jumpsuit Queen
(For those who want to feel like they can breathe and move comfortably on the go while looking super chic for summer)
2. Cute and Cool
(Featuring an on-trend co-ord for sleek airplane style that you can effortlessly throw together)
3. Modern Simplicity
(A contemporary update on the jeans-and-a-tee classic clothing uniform ideal for travelling, with key pieces like the shacket and jeggings) 
Which one would you wear? 1, 2 or 3?
All products shown are in stock right now! I’ve linked them via my LTK shop but I’ll also link them in my Story for you guys. 🔗
Copy and paste this @shop.ltk in your browser: https://liketk.it/3Im8t 💕
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Current bottomless brunch uniform: an oversized sh Current bottomless brunch uniform: an oversized shirt, high-waisted jeans and square-toed strappy heels. 💃🏼
This is basically the 2022 version of “jeans and a nice top” — comfortable and practical for a long day/evening out but still contemporary and stylish.
I went for a soft colour palette for Saturday’s brunch in York because I thought it would look fresher for the summer season. 👀 
I also usually add a light jacket to tackle the pesky British elements but I didn’t need one last weekend. 🥵
The gorgeous mint green satin shirt is from @zara and my straight-leg jeans are @topshop (old), adding some nineties nostalgia to the mix.
I’ll link all pieces in my Story. 💕 
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Seeing all these news headlines about airport queu Seeing all these news headlines about airport queues is so frustrating. 😖
A trip abroad starts at the airport, and it breaks my heart that people who haven’t been able to travel or go on holiday for years and have worked so hard to save up are now experiencing delays and cancellations when it’s finally time for their trip to begin.
Speaking from experience, these queues stress you out before you’ve even got to your final destination. ✈️
I’ve flown from Leeds Bradford airport three times in the last nine months and Manchester airport once in the last few weeks. Each trip to the airport has taught me something different.
That said, I wanted to share a few things you can do to speed up your time at the airport so that you can make your flight and have the much-needed holiday you deserve. 🤗
Above all, follow your specific airline or airport recommendations. (These usually come in the form of an email or text message a couple of days before your flight.)
To read more about my recent airport experiences, check out the full article either via the link in bio or my Story.
Hope this helps. 💕
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“…Eyes of the bluest skies.” 🎶⛅️ (Wi “…Eyes of the bluest skies.” 🎶⛅️
(With a shirt to match!)
I went for a bronzed, natural makeup look last weekend for drinks with the girls.
I’m really enjoying makeup more now that I’m older - it’s just so fun to play around with when you’ve got the time. 
Here are the products I used: 🤗
Primer - @nyxcosmetics_uk Pore Filler
Tinted Moisturiser - @tartecosmetics Skin Treat in shade “Medium”
Concealer - @esteelauderuk Double Wear Stay in Place in shade “Light Medium (Cool)”
Blush - NYX Sweet Cheeks in shade “Bang Bang”
Setting Spray - @urbandecayuki All Nighter
Eyeshadow - @toofacedlovestheuk “Teddy Bare” Palette
Mascara - Tarte Cosmetics “Big Ego”
Eyeliner - @kvdbeauty Tattoo Eyeliner
Brushes - @realtechniques Essential Eye Brushes
Eyebrows - @anastasiabeverlyhills Brow Wiz in “Medium Brown”
Lipstick - Tarte Cosmetics Lip Paint in shade “Bestie”
Shirt - @targetstyle 
All products (or similar) linked via my @shop.ltk app (find it in my bio or latest Stories). 💕
#liketkit #LTKbeauty #LTKunder100 #ltkeurope #ltkunder50 #nyxcosmetics_uk #realtechniques #abhbrows #targetfinds #targetrun #targetstyle #beautybloggeruk #beautyblogging #beautybloggersuk #naturalmakeuplook #naturalmakeuplooks #makeupbloggeruk #makeupbloggers #makeupblogs #makeupcommunity #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #makeupproducts #makeupessentials #bronzedmakeup #holidaymakeup #vacationmakeup
Mentally I’m still here… 💭 I wish I could Mentally I’m still here… 💭
I wish I could say that one of the yachts in the background is mine but I think I’ve got a fair few more articles to write first. 😩
Anyone else loving sixties-inspired prints for Spring/Summer? 🌞
This cute little shirt dress is ideal for those warmer evenings on holiday when you want to flash your tan and feel comfortable but still look like you’ve made an effort. 💁🏼‍♀️ 
Entire outfit is @shein_gb and will link all products via @shop.ltk app (head over to my Stories for the dress link - currently 41% off!).
Ltk shop link: https://liketk.it/3G3Yb 💕 
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Courtyard strollin’… (Looking for my next cup Courtyard strollin’…
(Looking for my next cup of coffee or glass of sangria — it all depends on the time of day!) 😉☕️🍹
This cute courtyard was in the middle of Palma city. The architecture and restaurants huddled in the square with al fresco drinking and dining instantly transported me back to Italy.
It reminded me of past cruise ship holidays with my parents where we visited the likes of Naples, Capri, Rome, Florence and Pisa and we would be in awe of the charm and beauty of these places.
But this post is about Palma in Majorca. 🇪🇸
Palma itself is a delight!
There’s so much going on in the centre, so much life and hustle and bustle, which is refreshing to experience after over two years of lockdowns and travel restrictions. 😅
I enjoyed our leisurely peruse of the city, soaking up the sun and seeing historic sights such as The Cathedral of Santa Maria, which dates back to 1601.
We even spent some time getting lost amongst the cobbled backstreets, popping in and out of shops before we regained our bearings once again. 😍
Our day in Palma reminded me how much I love exploring and how much travelling makes me feel fulfilled.
You just can’t beat it, right? ❤️
I already can’t wait for my next European city break (which hasn’t even been booked yet!).
What are some of your fave European cities? 👇🏻
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Happiest when I’m by the seaside. 🌊 One of Happiest when I’m by the seaside. 🌊 
One of my all-time favourite travel fashion pieces is the blue denim “mom-style” shorts.
You know, the relaxed-fit and high-waisted type that go with just about anything? 😉
You can pair them with a strappy top and sandals or flip flops for those warm summer days.
Or you can take them from day to night by swapping the strappy top for a chic blouse or cropped shirt and the flat sandals or flip flops for heels.
They’re just so comfy and cute! J’adore. ❤️
These ones are from @marksandspencerfashionpr which I’ll link via the @shop.LTK app along with some similar options.
(Check out the post here: https://liketk.it/3F1wG)
I lived in mine for my most recent trip to Majorca - even throwing them on over a bikini with a kaftan for those lazy pool days. ✌🏻 
Who else is a fan of denim shorts for summer holidays? ☀️
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That post-holiday feeling! You know, when you lan That post-holiday feeling!
You know, when you land after a few days in the sun and you feel refreshed, recharged and ready to take on the world again. 🙌🏻
And it helps if you travel in comfy clothes.
Plane, train and bus rides can be time-consuming (and stressful when things go wrong) so comfy travel gear makes the journey that little bit more bearable. ✈️ 
I’m currently loving lounge sets to travel in, such as this “Bon Voyage” lemon number from @lornaluxe x @inthestyle . 🍋
You can still get your hands on the shorts but, unfortunately, the sweatshirt is out of stock.
Not to worry though - I’ve linked some more pretty lounge sets to travel in via my shop on the @shop.LTK app. 
Shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content by visiting: https://liketk.it/3EAx9.
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One of the best feelings in the world is those nig One of the best feelings in the world is those night-before-the-airport butterflies. 🦋
You know, when the suitcase is finally packed, the plane outfit is laid out and there’s nothing left to do other than get a good night’s sleep before you head to your new destination ✨ tomorrow ✨!
(But then you’re so excited that you end up not having the best sleep! 🤦🏼‍♀️)
Are you one of those travellers who gets to the airport super early or one of those super last minute people? ✈️ 
(I’m the former!)
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I’m blue da ba dee da ba di. 🎶 Okay so I uni I’m blue da ba dee da ba di. 🎶
Okay so I unintentionally wore blue, white and black all weekend.
Outfit one was for a Betty’s brunch for the hubby’s birthday and exploring Thirsk. 👀
The blue denim dress and checked shacket combo felt a bit sixties inspired and sassy teamed with black tights and white boots.
Then outfit two was for a pub lunch and drinks with the family (hubby’s birthday celebrations part two).
I went for a blue floral top, comfy black jeggings, a blue denim shearling jacket and those white boots again. 👢
This felt more seventies rocker vibes so naturally I had to wear it with attitude!
Which outfit is your fave? Details below. ✌🏻
Denim dress, shacket, tights, boots: all @marksandspencerfashionpr
Bag: @coach
Floral top and boots as before: @marksandspencerfashionpr
Jeggings: @uniqlo_uk 
Jacket: @levis_uk 
Sunglasses: vintage
Bag: @nastygal 
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