One fine weekend in Wellington City

FRIDAY

Wellington waterfront is one of the loveliest land-to-seascapes your eyes can be drawn to. Embark on the Wellington Writers Walk, combining an esplanade stroll with sculptures and quotations from New Zealand's best wordsmiths. When peckish, head to the Te Aro district; specifically, Hannah's Laneway (between Leeds and Eva streets). This central food haven hosts Fix and Fogg, the cutest window-in-the-wall store with peanut butter samples, as well as Wellington Chocolate Factory, a bakery famed for its salted caramel cookies, a brewbar, and plenty of chic eateries.

SATURDAY

Start with coffee at Tuatua Café, this cheerful coffee shop is built into the ramparts, complete will tables and chairs straddling the main promenade. Fromthis sun-soaked boardwalk, it’s just five minutes further to Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum. Later, take a free guided tour of the beehive, our unusual parliament building, and finish up on Cuba St. This quirky strip of bohemian stores and uber-cool boutiques is mixed with an endless choice of dining options and features live music and street food on Friday and Saturday nights.

SUNDAY

Watch the sun rise over the city from Mt Victoria Lookout at Hātaitai above Oriental Bay. It’s easily driveable, or there’s a walkway through the town’s belt. Don’t wrap up the weekend up without experiencing the iconic red cable car. Marvel at LEDlighted tunnels and once at the top, enjoy city-spanning views. At the summit, soak up the serenity of the Botanic Garden, learn more about Wellington’s tramways at the Cable Car Museum and visit the Space Place at Carter Observatory.

Wellington Night Market © PIVOT Photography

WELLINGTON'S FINEST MUST-DO'S

WETA WORKSHOP The Weta Workshop has been a favourite Wellington institution for years, with its classic Weta Cave Workshop Tour and fascinating Miniature Effects Tour. Visitors can also book a hands-on introduction to building armour and clay sculptures, among other popular workshops.

TE PAPA TONGAREWA is our award-winning national museum and utterly enthralling; expect to spend half a day in here. Just wait until you see Gallipoli: The Scale of our War by Weta Workshop. The giant-sized soldiers are accurate right down to their hand hairs and beads of sweat. It's astonishing.

WELLINGTON MUSEUM Found in an 1892 heritage building, understand the city's history over four floors, including 'The Attic'which features the city's quirkiest tales such as UFO sightings.

THE GREAT HARBOUR WAY Traversing east to west while nipping at the coastline, the Great Harbour Way/Te Aranui o Pōneke is a walking and cycling routearound Te Whanganui-a-tara: Wellington’s dazzling harbour.

View of Wellington from Mt Victoria © Positively Wellington

WALKS AND TOURS IN WELLINGTON

THERE ARE MANY EASILY ACCESSIBLE, LOVELY WALKS AROUND WELLINGTON.

The 12km City to Sea Walkway starts near Parliament and ends at Island Bay, passing many of the city’s best landmarks. There’s the Art Deco Heritage Trail from the National War Memorial along Lambton Quay to the train station. Look out for the heritage signs. Follow the Matairangi Nature Trail on Mt Victoria with the kids. There’s also wildlife tours to Kāpiti Island to see the seals.

Further afield, there are terrific walks for every fitness level in Remutaka Forest Park (30 minutes away by car) as well as plentiful places for a picnic.

Kaitoke Regional Park is 40 minutes from the CBD and was used as the location for Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings. In its boundary, there are numerous swimming holes along the river and shingle embankments for picnics and sunbathing.

Boat sheds, Wellington Harbour © Julian Apse

FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

ZEALANDIA: This enormous, protected valley is home to endangered birds, reptiles and insects. The guided tours and night tours are excellent and a free shuttle bus facilitates the sanctuary from the city’s i-SITE.

WELLINGTON MUSEUM SHIP 'N’ CHIP TOUR: Enjoy a guided museum tour followed by a fish 'n' chip lunch on-board the ferry to Matiu/Somes Island; a wild and rugged motu home to walks, wildlife and a lighthouse.

WELLINGTON ZOO: Learn about dozens of species alongside animal talks, feeding times and The Nest Te Kōhanga: the zoo’s animal hospital and native wildlife centre.

LORD OF THE RINGS: Tolkien fans will love a tour of the city’s film locations. There are several companies offering a range of escorted walks and tours to locations where scenes from the movie trilogies were shot.