Mark Ford, Founder of Plus1 Travel
Welcome, it’s great to have you here searching for Wellington travel tips. New Zealand’s North and South Island are divided by the Cook Strait. Overlooking the Strait is Wellington: the world’s southernmost capital. Trendy Wellington is dubbed the Capital of Cool. It’s as if the fresh ocean winds bring in waves of creativity. Home to less than half a million people, Wellington isn’t New Zealand’s most populous city but it is the country’s political, cultural and culinary capital.
Clinging to the forested mountain slopes that spill out into the harbor is the compact city center. Imaginative street art, vintage shops, a hip café culture, incredible scenery, splendid museums, and a touch of tradition make Wellington a breath of fresh air. The locals are just as passionate about rugby union as about drinking coffee or locally brewed beer on the waterfront. Vital to the unique flavor of this eclectic urban mix is the cultural heritage of the Māori people Te Papa, the beloved National Museum, shows how these brave seafarers made their mark in this precious land between the mountains and the sea.
Telling the story of New Zealand is like turning the pages of a mystical book about a faraway land It’s a tale about discovery, ocean currents and starry heavens and wooden boats navigating along the Ring of Fire… First came the fearless Māori people, who cultivated the country, then the Dutch who gave it its current name, and eventually the British, who laid claim to the land. Learn more about their navigational techniques in the Carter Observatory See and hear how the rest of the story of the capital unfolded in the Museum of Wellington City and Sea. Continue your journey back in time in the historical city center: a jumble of architectural styles.
Wellington is served by Wellington International Airport located 5.5 kilometers south-east of the city. It’s the third busiest airport in the country and when searching for Wellington travel tips and how to get from the airport to Wellington, there are a couple of options that will get you into town. Let’s have a look at those now.
Bus
The most convenient and cheap way to get from the airport to Wellington is by the Airport Flyer bus shuttle. The bus costs $12 to the city center in around 30 minutes.
Taxi
Taxis are readily available to get you from the airport to the city center. A ride takes around 20 minutes to the central business district depending on traffic. A taxi from the airport to Wellington costs around $35NZD. Uber is also operating in Wellington.
Rental car
There are a number of rental car services near the airport if you want to have more freedom and drive a round the island. You can book online before your trip or when you arrive.
When searching for Wellington travel tips and how to best get around the city, there are a number of options at your disposal when it comes to public transport. That’s why we’ve put together a simple guide on how to get around Wellington.
Public transport in Wellington
Bus
Metlink buses operate frequently around Wellington and the main bus station is near Wellington Railway Station. A single ticket price costs $2.50.
Train
There are five train routes operated by Metlink throughout Wellington. Trains are a great way to get to the suburbs and regional destinations. A ticket within zone 1-3 cost $10. And depending on how far you travel throughout the 10 zones, the price increases.
Taxis
Taxis are readily available across Wellington with two major taxi companies called Green Cabs and Wellington Combined Taxis. Uber also operates within the city.
Scooter
If you’re up for some fun in the city center, you can rent a Flamingo Scooter by downloading the app. It costs $1 to unlock and 30c per minute after that.
Wellington is neatly packed and surrounded by the incredible nature landscape, mountains and sea. When searching for Wellington travel tips it’s good to know that the city has a wide variety of options to stay, but also that since it’s not a massive city the great places can be fully booked in advance. Here’s a quick guide on some of the best areas to stay and the best hotels we recommend.
Central Business District is located in the middle of Wellington making it easy to get around, it’s close to the bus and the train station. It’s an excellent place to stay near the waterfront with plenty of great dining options, shopping and museums.
Recommended Hotel: Bolton Hotel
Wellington City
Te Aro is Wellington’s cultural hub, where the many cultures in New Zealand such as Europens, Maori and foreign blend together. The area is packed with great restaurants, art galleries and museums. On Cuba Street there’s a wide variety of alternative culture with bars, shops and restaurants.
Recommended Hotel: Grand Mercure Wellington
Miramar Peninsula is the perfect area to stay for families. It’s calm, relaxed and has plenty of great outdoor options. It also hosts a Lord of the Rings museum that offers tours that showcase where the movie was made. Nearby Lyall beach has great cafés, watersport, and is a great place to visit for stunning views.
Recommended Hotel: Edgewater Lodge B&B
When searching for Wellington travel tips and what to eat in Wellington, the city has a thriving food culture with influences from all across the world. When visiting a city it’s not always easy to know where to eat so we’ve listed four great places that will satisfy your tastebuds and not completely ruin your budget.
The Mt Vic Chippery. Photo: Trenchmans Travel
Mexican: La Boca Loca. Located in Miramar, they offer some of the best mexican food. The restaurant uses mostly organic produce and it’s the perfect place to relax with a nice beer and some incredible tacos.
Asian: Little Penang in Wellington Central has authentic Malaysian cuisine that won’t cost more than $20. It’s the perfect place for a great lunch to take away in the sun or enjoy there.
Fish: The Mt Vic Chippery in Mount Victoria has the best fish and ships on the island. Their fish and chips sandwich is absolutely amazing and there’s also great prawns and other delicious sea food to enjoy.
Desert: Olive in Wellington Central has an amazing interior and a nice courtyard area and they serve some of the best local desserts around.
Wellington Zoo
out the Zealandia website.
Accreditation: Joe Allam
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Mark Ford – Founder of Plus1Travel.com – For More Travel Tips > Go Here