Home » New Zealand Travel Tips » Wellington

Wellington

Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand. It is often called Windy Wellington because it is the windiest city in New Zealand.  Wellington has character. Everyone talks about Auckland (which, contrary to popular belief, is not the capital), but the real magic takes place in Wellington (the capital). The architecture and eclectic vibe give this city a great personality that should not be missed. There’s a great nightlife, a concentrated center, and a beautiful harbor.

Costs in Wellington

• Hostel Prices: Dorm rooms range from $20-25 NZD per night while private rooms cost $60 per night.
• Budget Hotel Prices: Budget hotels cost $75 NZD dollars per night. Since it’s the capital city, rooms tend to be more expensive than elsewhere.
• Average Cost of Food: A typical restaurant meal with cost you about $15 NZD. A good restaurant will cost between $30-40 NZD per day. If you choose to cook your food, plan to spend about $50-80 NZD per week. You can find sandwiches around for $6 NZD and fast food like McDonald’s or Burger King costs between $7-10 NZD.
• Cost of Internet: Internet is $5 NZD per hour. Most hostels use Global Gossip. They have good wi-fi packages if you have your own computer. The best deal is a month long package (it works out to $5 NZD per day). McDonald’s has free wi-fi.
• Transportation Cost: The system, called Metlink, is comprised of an interlinked network of buses, trolley buses, cable cars, trains and ferries. Costs vary depending on type of system and travel. Specific rates can be found at Metlink.org

Things to Do in Wellington

• National Archives - Many of New Zealand’s most important documents are held in the National Archives. These include the original Treaty of Waitangi and the 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition. If you are into history, this is a good place to go.
• Beehive & Parliament House - The Beehive (a government building) and the adjoining Parliament House are a short walk from the train station. Although parts of these buildings are usually closed to the public, it is possible to take a free, guided tour. It’s a very beautiful building and you can even look down at parliament.
• Karori Wildlife Sanctuary - This conservation project is home to rare and endangered New Zealand wildlife including kiwi, saddleback, kaka and weka. The sanctuary has over 35km of tracks offering scenic walks, has a dam, and a 19th century goldmine to explore. It has an excellent example of native wildlife.
• Old St Paul’s – This old cathedral is an excellent example of colonial Gothic architecture and was built from native timbers.
• Wellington Zoo - New Zealand’s oldest zoo has a large range of African, Asian and native wildlife. Admission is $15 NZD.
• Te Papa – The national museum is huge, covers Maori and Colonial history, is great for kids, and has an extensive section on the geology of New Zeland. Best of all? It’s free.
• Museum of Wellington City – A free museum chronicling the history of Wellington. It’s great for people who have an interest in maritime history.
• Lookout points – Wellington City is surrounded by hills, so there are a number of good vantage points. Head up to one of the many via bike, bus, or cable car and get steller views of the surrounding hills,
• The Botanic Gardens – A nice place to go for a picnic, or just an afternoon walk. You can take the Cable Car from Lambton Quay for a quick 5-minute trip to the top though you an walk up to the gardens. They are filled with great views, colorful flowers, lawns to hang out in, and pretty much everything you need to have a great day outside.
• Carter Observatory – Near the top of the Botanic Gardens, you’ll find this full-dome planetarium. Head out in the evening for some stargazing or pop in during the day for various shows on the cosmos. There are some exhibits to look at, as well as a neat gift shop.
• New Zealand Film Archive – First established in 1981, this library is home to over 30,000 movies, any of which, can be seen free of charge on a big-screen! There is an interesting gallery to check out, too, and a small café.
• Zealandia – This is a wildlife sanctuary that can be found just west of Wellington. There are several native birds living here, including the kiwi, hihi, saddleback, and more. This is a great place to walk around freely, but there are guided tours offered as well. When your done outside, check out the exhibition center.
• Sevens – This is an annual rugby tournament held in the Wellington’s Westpac stadium, every February. Drawing crowds of over 30,000 people, this event is always really fun and is often noted by the party atmosphere that arises. Many people that attend do so in costume.

Budget Tips for Wellington

• COMING SOON

Why use this site?

Ultimate Travel Guide

This guide to traveling the world features tips, tricks, and savings advice not featured in this blog. You'll learn how to become an expert traveler and travel cheaper, better, and longer. And you'll get $1k in free travel coupons to start!