Discover Wellington

A wild Wellington weekend

FOR EVERY TYPE OF FAMILY

CREATIVES

VAN GOGH ALIVE Immerse yourself in van Gogh’s masterpieces at Digital Nights Wellington – Van Gogh Alive. An outdoor debut of the world’s most visited multi-sensory experience celebrating one of the world’s most famous artists, Vincent van Gogh.

Make no mistake, this is no ordinary art exhibition – forget tiptoeing through silent galleries and imagine a whole new way of interacting with art. Van Gogh’s masterpieces will come alive in a unique exhibition experience of more than 3,000 images projected onto shipping containers at an enormous 8 metre-high scale and synchronised to a powerful classical score.

wellingtonnz.com

HANDS-ON WETA WORKSHOPS

Chainmaille

Weta Workshop has kitted out countless armies with chainmaille and leather-adorned costumes for films like The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. In this hands-on workshop, learn techniques used by the Weta costume crew as you create your own keyring from leather and chainmaille.

Sculpture

Roll up your sleeves for an introduction to the magic of sculpture, as you begin to create a fantastical 3D character from modelling clay and household materials.

Special Effects

Mix your own fake blood and create convincing wounds with special effects make-up. No humans were harmed in the making of this workshop! With the guidance of the Weta crew, learn the art of crafting convincing special effects by mixing blood and sculpting your own scars and scrapes.

tours.wetaworkshop.com

CAPITAL E’S LIGHT YEARS What makes a rainbow? Why do things glow? At the end of the day, where does the sun go? Discover the magic and wonder of light in Light Years at Capital E’s PlayHQ. This new interactive play activation sparks curiosity into science and art, making for an enlightening experience for tamariki aged five and under. Join in to explore this sensory play activation that zooms in on colour play and the links to light.

capitale.org.nz

Awarded one of the World’s Top 100 Greatest Places 2019 by TIME

SEE MORE TOGETHER Guided Tours – Making Memories

Book your guided tour online now visitzealandia.com

As the undisputed arts and culture capital of New Zealand, there’s plenty of creativity, adventure and cuisine awaiting your family in our nation’s capital.

ADVENTURERS

WALK THE SCENIC ESCARPMENT TRACK The Escarpment Track runs from Paekākāriki to Pukerua Bay, taking in sweeping views of the spectacular Kāpiti Coastline and the region’s famous Kāpiti Island. Families of all ages regularly enjoy this trail, but it’s not recommended for the faint-hearted: you’ll scale around 1,200 steep steps, navigate narrow pathways across ridgelines, and traverse two swing bridges.

wellingtonregionaltrails.com

HIRE AN E-BIKE AND CYCLE TO PENCARROW LIGHTHOUSE The Pencarrow Lighthouse was New Zealand’s first permanent lighthouse. The cast-iron tower was made in England and then erected on Pencarrow Head, at the entrance to Wellington Harbour. Located within Wellington’s East Harbour Regional Park, the lighthouse makes for a pleasant day trip. Walk or cycle the 8 km gravel track to the lighthouse from Burden’s Gate, at the south end of Eastbourne.

bikeshedpencarrow.com huttvalleynz.com/experience

EXPLORE THE SKY AT SPACE PLACE Stories of New Zealand skies are shared at Space Place through multimedia exhibits, interactive galleries, the historic Thomas Cooke telescope and their digital, full-dome planetarium. Learn about planets, stars, constellations and galaxies and New Zealand’s contribution to astronomy and space sciences. Complete your trip through the galaxy, look back in time to our history of exploration with the transit of Venus and Māori starlore.

museumswellington.org.nz/space-place

FOODIES

BREWTOWN Visit Brewtown, a craft beer destination that’s just as much for kids as adults. Think of it as a microcosm of Wellington, bringing together some of the region's top breweries and delicious food on one site. Brewtown is a one-stop-shop and a must-visit for craft beer lovers. Also home to a boutique distillery, Brewtown is the perfect place to spend an afternoon taste-testing the best the region has to offer, and it is just a short walk away from Upper Hutt train station making it an easy trip to and from the city.

brewtown.co.nz

WELLINGTON ON A PLATE Don’t miss Wellington’s annual food festival Visa Wellington On A Plate. Take a seat at the table this October and enjoy the most amazing culinary experiences the Greater Wellington region has to offer. Feast your senses in this celebration of all things food and beverage. Eat, Drink and be Welly with hundreds of festival events and festival dishes that showcase the best of Wellington region’s ingredients, suppliers and producers.

visawoap.com

AND DON’T FORGET...

WELLINGTON ZOO Head along to Wellington Zoo for a wild day out! They're the world's first carboNZero certified zoo. See the capybaras, caracals, pygmy marmosets, the cute red pandas, sun bears, and many more varied and interesting animals at Wellington Zoo – New Zealand’s first zoo.

Tickets from just $12 per person. Open everyday except Christmas day.

wellingtonzoo.com

DISCOVER THE WILD SIDE OF WELLINGTON Zealandia is the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary, with an extraordinary 500-year vision to restore a Wellington valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems as closely as possible to their pre-human state. The 225-hectare ecosanctuary is a groundbreaking conservation project that has reintroduced over 20 species of native wildlife back into the area, some of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years.

visitzealandia.com

A NEW ADVENTURE EVERY TIME

Your adventure at Wellington Zoo supports conservation for animals in New Zealand and around the world.

Summer Fun!

Kids Stay, Play & Eat Free

Base yourself at The Portage and experience a little taste of everything Marlborough has to offer. The Portage is the perfect destination for families to getaway. Whether you want to explore nature, enjoy a winery tour, cruise the Marlborough Sounds, walk or cycle the famous Queen Charlotte Track, experience a wildlife eco tour, sea kayak, fish or sail we have you covered. The Portage is your Marlborough base for exploring the magic of the Marlborough Sounds. The best part is Kids Stay, Play and Eat Free....

BOOK your next stay with us and secure your summer holidays now.

*Terms and Conditions: Travel dates between 1 October 2020- 20 December 2020. Subject to availability. $100 deposit at time of booking with no cancellation/amendments within 30 days of arrival. Children must eat off children’s menu with accompanying paying adult.

BOOK NOW from $379* Based on one nights stay for a family of four. Children under 12 stay, play & eat for FREE when dining from children’s menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a paying adult*. Join our kids club and enjoy free daily activities.

For all our amazing summer specials check out