Wellington, Capital of New Zealand.

Wellington evokes especially San Francisco city which was built during the same period.

Both cities share the same architectural style, with charming Victorian villas built on a hillside overlooking a beautiful bay.

Do not expect me to play the game of the seven differences. I am not familiar enough of San Francisco, but I am a great lover of Wellington, which remains my favorite city in New Zealand by far.

You'll find it on a map, in the southwest of the North Island, near the Cook Strait which separates the two main islands of the country. Spread over several bays Wellington is located in the roaring forties. This is probably why its 180,000 inhabitants nicknamed her of “Windy Welly”. The wind gusts rushing into the Cook Strait are famous to return the umbrellas, but people here don't care, probably because their city enjoys a mild oceanic climate, pleasant throughout the year.

The tour operators usually plan the visit of Wellington halfway through a circuit spread across the two main islands. A decision which allows less than one day to explore the city, before joining the Interislander ferry company. How could you enjoy the city in such a short time? One cannot explore a capital in less than 24 hours! But do not worry, you can follow Kiwipal's tailor-made itinerary instead!

We will explore the city on foot most of the time, but the trolleybuses cover a great part of the city center and a ticket only costs $6 a day, so why not using it? Regarding the itinerary, I have also planned some nice surprises ... So, is Wellington the most beautiful city in New Zealand? You'll tell me after your visit!

For once a catastrophy served a purpose ... the great earthquake of 1855 raised the coast of several meters, ironically saving millions of dollars! The promenade along the quays to Frank Kitts Park is known as “Wellington Writers Walk”.You'll find many famous quotes carved into stone. Their authors have in common to have traveled and lived in Wellington during their lifetime.

We will vist the beach of Oriental Bay to enjoy the first rays of the sun. Some residents are already practicing jogging or roller skating along the docks.

The most motivated locals are booking kayaks or paddle boats. Here, the waves are not strong enough for the surfers, but there are many surf spots a little further into the bay.

You should take off your shoes to finish the walk in the sand of the beach.

If you desire to put your feet in the water, you're welcome! On my side I'll try to spot some dolphins. They can be observed from time to time, usually when they visit the harbour to play in the waves.

Turn your back to the beach for a minute to admire the lovely 1900 villas surrounding the old church of St Paul, on the slopes of Mount Victoria. If you're still here tomorrow, we may climb to the top to enjoy unrivaled views of the bay.

For now, we will retrace our steps to find the entrance of the Civic Center.

This large plaza decorated with elegant palm sculptures connects all the districts together. It serves as gathering place for many outdoor festivals, and is a great place to enjoy a relaxing brunch at a terrace.

At the center of the place I advise you to look up to the sky to contemplate a splendid artwork created by Neil Dawson.

The steel sphere that seems to float in the air represents five varieties of ferns intermingled. The cables which hold the sphere can't be easily spotted, making the visual effect stunning.

I let you choose between a coffee and a visit of the various buildings surrounding the Civic Center. They mostly offer an interesting mix of contemporary and classical architecture.

You can collect a free city map at the iSite or have a look at the vast library, but do not spend too much time here, because the Te Papa museum is waiting for us...

Each year, more than one million visitors explore the most popular museum of New Zealand. Despite the record attendance, you won't feel oppressed by a crowd during your visit.

Designers have privileged empty space so you can breathe, even if it implies reducing the number of art works exposed. In the Maori language, Te Papa Tongarewa means “The treasures of our land”.

The museum aims to tell the history of the country since its volcanic origins, up to the contemporary period.

This is the best place to be initiated to the Maori culture, above all because permanent collections are free. Very well designed, each floor has its own central theme.

Each gallery has its own subtle lighting, which allows to enhance the artworks visual quality. Video projections and splendid reconstructions make of the entire museum an exciting place to visit, even with children.

Before starting the visit, how about a walk in the woods? Not far from the entrance you'll find a bush followed by a volcanic landscape. Then comes a lagoon with a waterfall, and even a glowworms cave that recalls the famous ones in Waitomo.

This is just amazing ! And I confirm that this is not a basic reconstruction, but a wonderful place that worth a quick visit.

You'll find your pleasure here, but not knowing what you prefer, I won't describe all the floors in detail one by one. But perhaps I should introduce briefly what I enjoyed the most during my many visits. At the second floor, you will shudder before the largest giant squid of the entire world. This creature is a wonder of nature (or a horror, as you wish...) and it is 4 meters long with a weight of half a ton! I challenge you to look into the 28 cm eyeballs of this marine monster!

Did you ever ask yourself how it feels to undergo a massive earthquake?

Follow me in a small house mounted on hydraulic jacks. At regular intervals, the installation reproduces the effect of a powerful earthquake.

The furniture start to dance and the walls lean while you try not to fall on the ground...

If you are passionate about the volcanoes, you'll adore the “Blood Earth Fire” exhibition.

New Zealand is a volcanic land located on the mighty Pacific Ring of Fire. You will understand the origin of the earthquakes that shake the two islands each year. The entire gallery is fun and never boring.

Then climb to the fourth floor to immerse yourself into the Maori culture. You will visit a “marae”, an authentic carved wooden Maori house. Do not miss the famous “wakas”, the war canoes carved from the trunks of giant Kauri trees! If only all museums could be like the Te Papa Tongarewa ...

It is already noon and we still have a entire city to visit! But we have just enough time for an express visit at the beautiful gift shop of the museum.

So, don't stay too long in the shop and come join me after, I'll be at the Te Papa Cafe at the first floor.

Usually, I do not appreciate much the museum restaurants. But this one is an exception as it serves decent and affordable meals.

This will save us time and we will continue with the city visit right after.

But it has not always been the ideal place to go shopping... At the era of the first settlers, you would have had your feet in the water right here! The entire area was reclaimed from the sea for decades. Look at these marks on the curb, they indicate where the shore was during the 19th century.

However, Lambton is not just a succession of arcades or shopping streets.

This is Wellington Central Business District (CBD) where modern buildings coexist with elegant constructions from the 19th century.

This is a very dynamic place, with great energy until the close of business late in the afternoon.

The famous Backbenchers Pub that we just saw along the street also welcomes politicians.

Speaking of politics, I must show you the New Zealand Parliament on Bowen Street. This strange building is nicknamed Beehive, and everyone has an opinion about it, but mostly, you will love it or hate it for sure!

If you prefer a more traditional style, you can admire the old parliament of 1876. It now houses the Faculty of Law and the Department of Conservation. This beautiful Renaissance building is built entirely with kauri wood.

Paradoxically, this noble material which was the cheapest during the settlers era, would cost you a fortune today.

The rest of the district is occupied by government departments. I guess you are not interested in these, so we'll change our itinerary to reach a highest place in the hills.

The cable car from Lambton Quay will help us to reach the next visit planned today.

We just miss it, but this is a great opportunity to explain you why Wellington was built on the hillside.

In 1840, the first settlers land in pouring rain to establish a city which had to be called Britannia. Swollen rivers carry away the wooden houses and jeopardize the future of the colony. Anyway, failure is definitely not an option, and it is decided to move the city location towards Lambton Harbour.

To celebrate the victory of Waterloo, settlers also decide to rename their colony to pay honour to the Duke of Wellington.

But the city plans imagined in London do not fit any more with the new location. Since nobody wants to undertake a six-month journey round trip to revise the plans, the decision is made to follow them, even if establishing the city on a hillside was a crazy idea!

Now you know why the streets of Wellington are so inclined and why we can count 400 funiculars (which is a world record).

This is also why the population constantly try to reclaim lands from the sea.

Our cable car will be there in a minute. His bright red metal sheet, earned him the affectionate nickname “Swiss tin can”. Formerly powered by steam, it now runs on electricity, which is certainly less romantic, but much more convenient. Come aboard and enjoy the panorama on the bay of Wellington while we climb the hill.

It's a great pleasure to admire the great varieties of rare flowers. Trails join fountains and ponds where ducks swim. From spring to early summer, 30,000 tulips color the landscape. I love the relaxing atmosphere, people who whisper and the bird songs.

The Lady Norwood Garden section contains a hundred different rose species!

Fragrances floating in the air lead us to the greenhouse Begonia House. One discovers there are not only the flowers of the same name but also tropical plants and even carnivore ones! A lovely pond with floating water lilies is surrounded by an amazing collection of orchids.

In the heart of the garden, you can enjoy a large lawn to lie down and rest while following the clouds. This place is called “The Dell” and is famous for hosting outdoors jazz concerts, and film screenings during summer. We already did a museum today, so we won't visit the planetarium. But the Carter Observatory is wonderful, and reveals the secrets of navigation and the cosmology of ancient Maoris. You can also contemplate the sun with a special telescope filter and the constellations in the evenings.

We completed the tour of the park, but I have planned a surprise for you. First, we must leave the Botanical Garden to reach the Kelburn District.

A few blocks away, there is an imposing wall that is reminiscent of the enclosure of the dinosaurs in the classic movie “Jurassic Park”.

Zealandia, the Karori sanctuary was opened to the public in the year 2000. This huge reserve of 250 hectares is home to a preserved fauna and flora in a wild environment.

Thirty rare species lives here safe from predators. It is a real natural park in the heart of the modern city. And there is even a lake!

I'll let you go on an adventure in the company of a guide. You will need him not to get lost in the kilometers of trails through the forest, and he'll help you to spot the birds hidden in the trees.

You will find me near the entrance in the late afternoon, and I can assure you that your camera will be full of beautiful pictures of the Kiwis, Kaka, Tuatura and other beautiful creatures of Zealandia.

This is a trendy area with live entertainment every street corner.

The bohemian atmosphere attracts young people strolling along the designer boutiques. I love the funky atmosphere, and I often visit the old music stores to find some curiosities.

Cuba Street is an old tramway track, now reserved to passersby. It is also the most famous street of the city.

We have plenty of choice because Wellington has more cafés per inhabitant than New York! All types of cuisine are represented, but I advise you to book in advance.

ou should really try the Fidel's, which is my favorite café, decorated with the colors of Havana. You can order eggs (the speciality), pizzas and salads. Cocktails and milkshakes are a must, and if there is a table available in the small courtyard you should not hesitate!

When I want something even better, I book the Logan-Brown in the same Cuba street. Completely different atmosphere, but not stilted, however, in the best gourmet restaurant in Wellington. Excellent restaurant, but quite expensive. Booking is not an option...

Now that night has fallen, we have two solutions. If you are exhausted, I'll show you the way to the hotel. But if you still have energy, I suggest extending the evening. Feeling motivated? Let's have a coffee first before leaving, they are known as the best in town.

Courtenay is the most popular district and the hippest of Wellington.

Headquarters of the underground cultural life, there are many theaters, cinemas and nightclubs here. The neighborhood is just a few blocks from Cuba Street, we can walk there.

Along the way I will show you the Embassy Theatre where all Peter Jackson's films are projected for the first time before a worldwide release.

We must not be far from the Mighty Mighty, the trendiest musical bar of the moment.

Hot atmosphere, but very “select”, for this place where you can attend live concerts. On the way back, you might spot the ghost of Ben Hana (the famous Blanket Man of Wellington de Wellington !) This eccentric local legend lived in Cuba Street, practically naked all day (until his sad death in 2012).

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my itinerary, and I'd be happy to help you plan a longer stay in the capital.

I have always considered the people of Wellington to be warm and very welcoming. This is no coincidence if the country's capital ranks at the 12th position in the Mercer list of the cities in the world where life quality is the best. The wind that sweeps the streets is perhaps its only weak point, but this is something one can get used to. Anyway, the wind did not annoy us today.

If the weather is bad, there are many indoor visits available, including the famous Te Papa. This museum is the gem of the city, and locals come for an average of 3 or 4 visits a year. For the permanent collections, of course, but also for highly original exhibitions. On my last visit, one of the best temporary exhibitions was devoted to video games!

eople argued a lot about the rivalry between the capital and Auckland. I do not see how we could choose between them, even with objective criteria.

Both cities have in common to be located in beautiful areas which allow wilderness outings. I prefer Wellington for its bay and the villas on the hillside, but this is my personal point of view.

Even with a lot of imagination, I do not see how I could have found the time to take you on Kapiti Island trip.

This island of 2,000 hectares was converted into a reserve and 1,400 kiwis live there. Only 50 visitors can visit the island every day. Suffice to say that this is a natural paradise that I will present in a future article.

Wellington is a must for travelers crossing from North Island to the South Island of New Zealand.

The ferry crossing from Wellington to the city of Picton takes about 3 hours with several daily departures.

I'll take you to the ferry and we will meet again in the Abel Tasman National Park. Do not miss my articles on the cities of the South Island. Queenstown, Wanaka and Christchurch are available.

Until then, I leave you with our friend Ben the Kiwi, our guide whose family has long lived in Wellington. He used countless pairs of shoes to explore the steep streets of the city.

Ben will be happy to answer all your questions. In gratitude for his kindness, please send us pictures of your stay in Wellington, we will publish them on Kiwipal!