Wellington – Capital City of New Zealand
Wellington City in the North Island is the Cultural Capital of NZ
Sep 22, 2009
Although compact in size, Wellington is home to national, theatre, dance and performance companies as well as the national museum, archives and art gallery. Wellington plays host to some of the largest annual and biennial events in New Zealand.
Wellington Events Calendar Includes Exhibitions and Performance Art
Arts, music and cultural activities run alongside festivals and sporting events, providing activities for families, singles, the old, young and everyone in between. Three disparate and fascinating exhibitions currently running at Te Papa, the national museum of New Zealand, are the story of Pacific people past and present, the history of Grand Prix racing, and the most massive invertebrate ever examined, the 495 kilogram Colossal Squid.
Mamma Mia, the international stage hit, plays at Wellington TSB Bank Arena from 22 October-1 November 2009. The TSB Bank Arena is also the venue for the Montana World of Wearable Art from 24 September-4 October. Two of New Zealand’s favourite entertainers, Jools and Lynda Topp – the ‘Topp Twins’ celebrate 25 years of performance at the Opera House, 30 October 2009.
Wellington Plays Host to 2011 Rugby World Cup and Other Sports Events
Rugby fans all over the world will be looking forward to the five pool matches and two quarter finals hosted byWellington at the Rugby World Cup in 2011. Rugby fans flock to the city each February for the NZI Rugby Sevens. Charity racing at Trentham racecourse is a popular springtime event. ‘Clash of the Corporates’, with its race around Wellington’s waterfront and CBD provides a fun mix of teamwork and physical challenges.
Shopping, Bars and Restaurants in Wellington City
In the conveniently compact area of downtown Wellington, shoppers enjoy browsing through economical chain stores or purveying high fashion at the boutiques of local designers. Wellington’s prestigious Department store, Kirkcaldie and Stains, has offered Wellingtonians quality merchandise since 1863.
There are more than 300 bars, cafés and restaurants in Wellington, running the gamut from takeways to fine dining. For NZ$15 and less, breakfast, brunch and lunch can be enjoyed at Café 51 in Courtenay Place, vegetarian options at Deluxe on Courtenay or a Middle Eastern Snack at Hadi Gari, also on Courtenay.
Animals, Wildlife, Parks and Gardens in Wellington
The Karori Sanctuary Experience, Waiapu Road, Karori, is a unique conservation area. Endangered wildlife such as the little spotted kiwi, tuatara, stitchbird, saddleback and kaka are protected in the environs of the sanctuary. Visitors enjoy natural bush, wetlands and lakeside walks, take a scenic boatride or walk across the unique, historic dam. Bookings are necessary for day or night guided tours. Open Monday-Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm (last entry at 4:00pm). Night tour times vary throughout the year. Closed Christmas Day. Ph: +64 4920 9200; Fax: =64 4 920 9000; kwst@sanctuary.org.nz.
A Seal Coast Safaris adventure allows visitors to get up close and personal with a colony of New Zealand fur seals. After a 20 kilometre-drive along the beach with waves lapping at the wheels of 4WD vehicles, the safari returns through rugged farmland offering stunning views of Wellington City, the Pacific and Tasman Oceans, the South Island, and distant mountain ranges. Safaris take two hours, 45 minutes and depart from Wellington i-Site Visitor Information Centre 10:00am and 1:30pm daily. Email: safari@sealcoast.com.
Getting to Wellington
Wellington International Airport receives flights from all major centres in New Zealand as well as smaller domestic airports. Airlines also fly in from destinations in Australia and the South Pacific. Wellington Airport is a 20-minute drive away from the CBD. Buses circulate from the airport into the city and suburbs regularly, providing travellers with a very efficient and economical transport option.
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