In 1865, Wellington replaced Auckland as the capital of New Zealand. Named in honour of Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, this capital city located at the tip of the Northern Island quickly became the heartbeat of the country.
Today, Wellington is New Zealand's political centre. All government ministries, including Parliament and a plethora of foreign diplomats, are based here. But travellers booking flights to Wellington will experience more than a democracy; Wellington is considered the arts and culture capital of New Zealand. Home to New Zealand's film and theatre industry, the city also hosts the "Te Papa Tongarewa" (the Museum of New Zealand), the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the biennial International Festival of the Arts. Along with culture and art, the city also boasts a nightlife not to be missed.
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Wellington is known for being windy, and the winds through the Cook Strait are persistent and often chilly. January and February are the warmest months with temperatures in the low 20s (Celsius). July and August are the coolest months with temperatures in the low single digits and low teens. May to August also tends to be wet.
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Peak Season:
In February and March Wellington hosts the annual Wellington Fringe Festival, the biennial International Festival of the Arts, and the annual Dragon Boat Festival.
The Summer Racing Carnival in late January features the Wellington Race Cup Meeting, offering high stakes and three days of racing with the best horses and jockeys around.
Outside the most popular times to visit November, December, and April are also warm and pleasant times to explore Wellington.
Off Season:
Winters with the chilly wind and cooler temperatures have fewer tourists and crowds.
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Stagecoach Flyer bus, a shuttle service and taxis all go to the city centre.
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Walking is a great way to explore Wellington’s centre, and most of the major attractions can be reached easily. Public transport is also an excellent option for getting around. The Stagecoach buses connect the inner city to the suburbs and trolleys go around the city. The bright yellow City Circular hop-on-hop-off buses loop the city making it easy for tourists to visit major attractions. The After Midnight Bus Service runs buses from the entertainment district to a number of suburbs. A cable car connects downtown Wellington to the Botanic Gardens on the hilltop, and ferries run between Wellington harbour and Eastbourne village.
Driving is reasonable once you get used to the system of one-way streets. Make sure to avoid rush-hour traffic and keep in mind that finding parking in the city can be frustrating. The public transport is so good that you may want to let go of the rental car during your stay in Wellington, then pick up another car when you are ready to leave the city.
Biking is popular, especially to take in the scenery around the harbour and in the hills around the city.
Taxis are another option, plentiful and convenient.
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- Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand's national museum. Through amazing exhibits and displays and cutting-edge technology, it tells the story of the country and its people. The Discovery Centers and StoryPlace are very popular with children.
- The Government Buildings at Lambton Quay, now home to the Victoria University School of Law, were designed to resemble an Italian stone palace, despite being made of wood. It is the largest wooden building in the southern hemisphere and the second-largest wooden building in the world. There is public access to the grounds and some of the rooms are open to visitors including the Cabinet room. Parliament House and the Beehive (the Executive Wing, shaped like a beehive) – the offices of the prime minister and the cabinet - are landmarks too and can be visited.
- Mount Victoria offers the best views of Wellington. See the harbour, downtown, town belt and airport from the top. The land was set aside for the people of Wellington in 1841. The walk up from Courtenay Place, a lively, buzzy area with lots of restaurants and pubs, takes about an hour.
- Take the Wellington Cable Car from Lambton Quay, in the central business district, to the top of the Botanic Garden. The Gardens comprise 25 hectares (62 acres) of protected native forest, plant collections and floral displays. The gardens are in Thorndon, New Zealand's oldest suburb.
- Visit Katherine Mansfield's birthplace. The famous short-story writer was born in Thorndon in 1888. The house where she spent her early childhood years has been restored and is open to the public.
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