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Wellington travelling tips from AllWays Car Rental. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and the second largest urban area. It is in the Wellington Region at the southern tip of the NorthIsland, near the geographical centre of New Zealand.
Wellington's urban area is constrained by mountainous terrain and stretches north from the central city along two corridors, the PoriruaBasin and the HuttValley. Wellington Region is a larger area that includes the KapitiCoast to the north and the area known as the Wairarapa across the RimutakaRange to the east.
Wellington was named in honour of Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington and victor of the Battle of Waterloo. Wellington became the capital of New Zealand in 1865, replacing Auckland, where William Hobson had established his capital in 1841. |
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Parliament first sat in Wellington on 7 July 1862, but the city did not become the official capital for some time. Wellington is New Zealand's political centre, housing Parliament and the head offices of all Government Ministries and Departments, plus the bulk of the foreign diplomatic missions based in New Zealand.
Wellington has developed four downtown districts each with a very distinctive character. The Lambton Quarter is an intensive shopping scene with elegant department stores, chain stores and boutiques. The Willis Quarter is focused on lifestyle shopping, and it is here that the city and seascapes merge. The Cuba Quarter embraces a funky community spirit with its alternative lifestyle shopping and pavement cafes. The Courtenay Quarter is renowned as Wellington’s entertainment centre, drawing crowds of late night revellers to its lively cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
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All this diversity is neatly packed within a compact two kilometres of city streets, which stretch south from the railway station to Courtenay Place. The visitor is thus able to indulge in retail therapy, artistic appreciation, scenic vistas, nightclub pleasures and gastronomic delights all within a short walk of downtown hotels. This intimate ‘village’ atmosphere is one of the capital’s most enduring charms. Waterfront rambles and Town- Belt bush walks are also only minutes from the CBD. The airport is a mere 15 minutes drive away.
Wellington has a well-earned reputation as an entertainment and cultural centre. You can find some of the New Zealand’s best theatres, galleries, restaurants, bars and cafes here. The choice of authentic ethnic restaurants and cafes is mind-boggling. In fact with around 400 eating establishments, Wellington has a higher concentration than New York on a per capita basis.
The city is home to the Royal New Zealand Ballet, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, four professional theatres and national opera, drama, dance and musical groups. Museums include the national treasure, Te Papa, a world class interactive museum that epitomises the pioneering spirit and ‘can-do’ attitude of Kiwis. An exciting time to visit Wellington is during February and March when the city hosts three festivals - Fringe Festival, Festival of the Arts and Dragon Boat Festival.
Beyond the city limits, day-trippers can take in an astounding variety of bush and beach scenes. You can seek out remote mountain wilderness areas for hiking, hunting or fishing. Adventure safaris in 4WD vehicles can guide you to rugged coastal seal colonies. Ferries can whisk you away to an island wildlife sanctuary in the inner harbour. North of the city, the KapitiCoast is a popular recreational playground. Some of New Zealand’s leading vineyards are just over the Rimutaka hill in the Wairarapa district. Wellington is the northern terminal of the Cook Strait interisland ferries. It is also a vital transport hub for airline, rail and road operations between the North and South islands.
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