Located at the southernmost tip of New Zealand’s North Island, Wellington is New Zealand’s capital city. It has dining options, museums, cultural attractions and more to offer. We visited here a while ago and spent a fantastic few days exploring some of the sights. There is so much to see, so this is just a small list of highlights.
Petton Wharf
Ever seen a piece of paradise? Well, for me this was it. Such a beautiful seaside town and the quay and beach were so much fun to photograph. Maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, but we loved it here and visited several times during our stay. Wish we had stayed here instead of Wellington City itself.
Weta Cave Studio
We let this book to the last minute, which is why we managed to get tickets for the Weta Basic Studio tour in Miramar. There are other tours, but I recommend booking in advance. The tour was fascinating, with props, costumes and giant models to admire. Due to copyright restrictions, no photos were allowed during most of the tour, but we were able to take some photos with the phone at the end. It was so much fun and a highlight of our trip to Wellington
Put Victoria on
Right in the heart of Wellington it’s a good spot for sunset. But beware, it is often difficult to get to a parking space and it is often VERY windy. They don’t call Wellington the Windy City for nothing!
Point Halswell Lighthouse
Unfortunately it was grey, windy and quite wet when we visited but we still had fun exploring this area. It is a historic site not far from Wellington.
Museums, galleries and historic buildings
Of course the exhibits will change from time to time, but there is always something to see and do, especially if the weather isn’t cooperating. We managed to see the Chinese Terracotta Warriors exhibit which was fascinating. See Oriental Bay (a good spot for sunset), Old Parliament House, ancient St Pauls Cathedral (check out the beautiful stained glass windows) and more.
Sea to Stadsbrug
Wander through the town and check out the Saturday markets bustling with activity. Walk across the Sea to City bridge and see several other landmarks along the waterfront. Stop for a snack. We really enjoyed Gotham, a Batman inspired cafe. Delicious food and a nice atmosphere.
Zeelandia Eco Sanctuary
This wildlife eco reserve is in the heart of Wellington, home to over 40 rare animal species (if you can catch a glimpse), walking/jogging trails, cafes and more. A lovely little place to visit.
Cape Palliser
This was one of the biggest highlights of our trip to New Zealand, we still talk about it. I wrote a whole article about it, so you can check it out here.
Tips:
- If you’re headed to a new destination, a little research around the area is a good idea. Even talking to the locals or someone who has visited the area before can help. A little local knowledge goes a long way.
- Carry plenty of fuel, snacks and water on long rides. If possible, let people know where you are going.
- If you go along the coast, be prepared for anything from blue skies and sunshine to heavy sea fog; Bring jackets, hats, sunscreen and rain ponchos – be prepared!
- Check that all camera gear is ready and packed the night before, including batteries, SD cards, and lenses. There’s nothing worse than arriving somewhere and discovering you’ve left the battery on the counter or the SD card in the reader!
- What to take? I spent most of my visit with my 16-35mm wide-angle lens, but a long-range zoom like a 28-200 (or 300)mm lens would be ideal.
