Unforgettable stops in Wellington

Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is located in the extreme southwest of the North Island of this country. As part of the most important New Zealand cities, it is one of the central axes of trade and the national economy, and is also a reference point for the artistic and cultural movement of this nation.

However, it was not until 1865 that it was baptized under the name of capital of the country, replacing Auckland and was chosen to play this role mainly because of its geographical location.

Also for its position in the New Zealand geography, this great metropolis is whipped by strong winds, which has earned it the nickname of Windy Wellington.

If you are attracted by the wonders of this city and have thought about organizing your next vacation there, here are 5 stops essential for you to enjoy their best places.

National Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa):

One of the first visits you should make when you arrive in the capital of New Zealand is undoubtedly the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum. This is a place of reference to learn about the evolution of culture and traditions of the New Zealand people from its origins to the present day.

It hosts interesting exhibitions, many of them interactive, which shows an extensive collection ranging from elements belonging to the natural life of the country to important works of art representative of its culture, showing the development of its history over the years.

It offers all its visitors the opportunity to participate in a series of activities organized by the center dedicated to strengthening the link between them and local history.

If you are interested you should know that their schedules are from Sundays to Saturdays from 10 am to 6 pm.

Cable Car and Botanical Garden:

Travelling on the Wellington Cable Car is one of the iconic activities you can’t miss. Its route connects one of the most central streets of the New Zealand capital with the Kelburn district. It has a service network made up of a series of red trams that depart every 10 minutes transporting both locals and tourists who are dazzled by a means of historical transport.

This is one of the most comfortable ways to get to another place you can’t miss: the Wellington Botanical Garden. In this center you will have access to 25 hectares of native forest where you will be able to appreciate autochthonous and exotic plants of extraordinary beauty as well as vegetal species of different places of the world.

Within the Botanical Garden have become very popular spaces that enhance its importance and beauty as the House of Begonia, a large Victorian style greenhouse, the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and the visitor center Treehouse.

It’s a great place to visit with family, children, do sport or take a break from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.

San Pablo’s Old Cathedral:

The Cathedral of San Pablo is one of the most emblematic monuments of the city and therefore, one of the places that you should not miss in your list of essential stops in Wellington.

It is a small construction that stands out for its Gothic style. It was built with wood native to the country and its stained-glass windows are admired by everyone who comes to this enclosure. Inside, commemorative plaques placed in its columns pay homage to different personalities, among them those who participated in the First World War.

You can appreciate its most remarkable features in a 10-minute visit if you don’t have a lot of time. However, I recommend that you do not miss the opportunity to meet the history of this region that offers a visit to this place.

Mount Victoria:

If you feel adventurous, like the contact with nature and the breathtaking views of its beauty, I recommend that you do not miss a visit to Mount Victoria.

Located east of the centre of the New Zealand capital, it rises 196 metres above sea level and is one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations.

Although you can go by car, if you prefer, you can walk to the top. This site is prepared for hikers to go hiking, mountain biking and the like. When you reach the top you will be rewarded with access to panoramic views of extraordinary beauty towards the city and its port.

As an interesting fact, one of the attractions that attracts more visitors each year is that it was the setting for the shooting of the first part of the film trilogy ¨The Lord of the Rings¨.

Cuba Street:

Finally, I would like to invite you not to miss the opportunity to visit one of the most picturesque and multicultural corners of Wellington: Cuba Street. It is a street that is closed to traffic and where are located many historic buildings and countless bars, restaurants and cafes. There you will find many shops where you can make wonderful memories of your stay in the city and also be part of the best of local cuisine. It is an ideal place to let yourself be carried away by its youthful atmosphere and festive spirit.

As you can see, Wellington has excellent options for planning an unforgettable holiday.