Welliington & Kapiti Coast
LOWER NORTH ISLAND
Wellington

Wellington

Renowned for its creative and cultural heart, Wellington is home to the national museum Te Papa, award-winning eateries, love of coffee, regional wine and craft beer.  One can browse Cuba Street for a bit of vintage shopping, enjoy performances at Circa Theatre, visit the Wellington Museum, take in artworks at the City Gallery or movie-making tours at Weta Workshop.  The Weta Cave in Miramar gives an insight into our film industry and the making of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit. 

For the foodies, soak up the atmosphere and treat your tastebuds – Wellington boasts the highest number of restaurants, bars, and cafés in the country.   

Wellington is surrounded by stunning scenery and green spaces.  Take a walk-through native bush up to the Mt Victoria Lookout.   Ride the Wellington Cable Car from Lambton Quay for another City perspective, visit the Carter Observatory while there and then stroll back through the magnificent Botanical Gardens to the City.   Wander around Wellington’s waterfront and while there why not catch the Ferry across the harbour to Days Bay for lunch.

Zealandia in Karori (short drive) is well worth a visit why not try a Twilight Guided Eco Wildlife Tour.  Red Rocks is another worthwhile destination especially in winter where you can experience the wildest part of Wellington’s rugged south coast- and one of Wellington’s most iconic walks and meet the fur seals. 

Markets: 
Saturday -  Thorndon Farmers Market 8.30 am – 12.30 pm
Sunday   -    Harboutesurside Market 7.30 am    2 mins from Te Papa

Kapiti Coast

Just 45-minutes north of Wellington you have reached the Kapiti Coast, where the natural beauty is breathtaking, where there is so much to see, do and experience!  Famous for so many things but to name a few 40kl of stunning beaches, preditor-free Kapiti Island is home to the Little Spotted Kiwi and many rare and endangered bird species.  The privately owned Southwards Car Museum, largest in the Southern Hemisphere and of course the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Course which tamed the “Tiger”.  Get lost in the Coast’s art scene with talented artists from award-winning painters to unique potters whose studios open all year round. Walk the very new 10kl Escarpment Track high above SH1 reaching 220metres above sea level with spectacular coastal and mountain views or walk the shaded Waikanae River Trail down to the Waikanae Estuary and lagoons where over 100 bird species call home. 

AND…….. then there are the award-winning eateries, restaurants and cafes, plus numerous award-winning brewers, did I forget the Gin makers and their award-winning Koakoa Limoncello and Bond Store Kawakawa Gin.  This is what we are famous here on the Coast!

Markets: 
Paraparaumu Beach Market –    7.30am -12.30pm every Saturday
Waikanae Community Market –  8am – 12noon every Saturday

Directions

To travel south one can either fly from Wellington or take the InterIslander Ferry to Picton (your rental car company will arrange for a new vehicle in Picton).