Wellington People & Culture

Wellington is a cool place if the weather's right. No matter what time of year come prepared for four seasons. Check out the City Gallery in Civic Sqaure, it's free, as is Te Papa, the national museum. There's the Fine Art's Gallery near Queen's Warf (donation), sometimes it's worth a visit. Cable Car is very popular with toursists (and no you won't crash). Cuba Street is supposedly vibe-ish. Check out the beaches, Oriental, Lyall Bay, Eastborne. But it's also nice to get out of the city as it's only a short drive in any direction to get a taste of rural scenery, Waikane is nice. Most people only go to Wellington to travel through to the South Island on the Picton Ferry but it's worth a short stop to have a look around. The nice thing about Wellington is the way most of the surrounding suberbs work into the landscape, old victorian-style houses dotted on the hills. But the best sight in Wellington is the Katherine Mansfield birthplace for the literary, cultural tourist. Have a read of some of her stories before you go, like 'Prelude', 'The Wind Blows,' 'At the Bay' (set in Eastbourne) to put the place and the house in perspective. Enjoy!!

If its raining don't bother with an umbrella..its way too windy. For great Asian food try Satay villiage off Cuba Street. On a sunny day, just take a walk along oriental parade, people watch and enjoy the great ice cream from Kaffe Eisse. Perfect!

lol dont even bother unless you want laughable nightlife options for gay people...............weak

Te Papa, Satay Kingdom for a mean Roti Chanai on the left bank, Cuba Street, local music live every night, small but awesome club scene, friendly people. Sweet place. Definately a place to see. A lot of cheap accomodation and extremely cheap living here.

Wellington is a laid back city. You can smell relax and warmth ambience everywhere. There are a lot of money exchange shops throughout the town beside the airport of course. The one that always give a good rates is James Cook, last time I know it was on the corner of Willis St and Lambton Quay I don't know whether it's still there or not but you can ask around. There are also National Bank, ANZ Bank, Westpac Banks. It is easy to get around Wellington, you can actually walk everywhere within the city centre, there are cabs and they are easily found on a street corners and also buses. The main bus station is located next to the railway station, as far as I remember there are no bus operate above 9 PM, so you better catch a cab or walk. Food are also everywhere ranging from fast food such McDonalds / KFC and Burger Kings, there are also a lot of of course Western restaurants, Chinese restaurants, Korean, Japanese, Malaysian restaurants and Indian restaurants around the city centre and let's not forget Turkish Kebab as well. Most of them you can find along Willis Street, Cuba Street, Courtenay Place. Cafes are also everywhere, I like Felix Cafe on Wakefield Street for a nice afternoon coffee or tea, Krazy Lounge of Cuba Street for a killer Iced Chocolate and I love having breakfast at Fidel's on Cuba Street, the place is next to a fish company (I dunno whether it is still there or not) and Zebos for brunch on Saturday, they never fail serving a killer breakfast. For a killer seafood Chowder I would go to La Bodega cafe (I dunno whether it is still there, it was on Upper Willis Street). If I don't feel like lazy to walk up to Oriental Parade or after Swimming on Public Swimming pool on Oriental parade, I love going to The Parade Cafe, their Chocolate Cake is super! Wellington is not that alive during weekday nights, shops are mosly close around 6 PM except restaurants, Cafes and Fast food counters. There is a late night Shopping on Friday night. The open half day on Saturday and some shops are closed on Sunday. There are nice clubs all over Wellington but most are concentrated along Courtenay Place area, where you can find RB clubs, Jazzy clubs, Trance Clubs or just lounge for chilling with your mates. Most clubs are happening on Friday Night and Saturday night, some clubs do open on Wednesday nights as it is normally students' night. Wellington is a harbour city meaning that it is located near the harbour area so you can expect a beautiful view of sea and mountain. There are a couple of spots in the Wellington City, the city council area where you can find City Library and Children Museum and a exhibition center The Michael Fowler Centre. There is also a Te Papa Tongarewa, National Museum. It has a unique but Modern Architecture. You can also go Seals watching somewhere in Seatoun area (I forgot the exact area because you have to walk to get to the seals place) and last but not least Mount Victoria, the highest place in Wellington where you can see the view of Wellington City, beautiful. Except visiting museum, going to Oriental Bay and Mount Vic there is not much tourist attractions except you are willing to go a bit further like to Wairarapa for wine tasting or Paraparaumu area for Cheese tasting and farm attraction (sheeps that is) There are lots of backpackers hotel in Wellington. one YHA hostel (please check first whether it is still there or not) is located on the corner of Cable Street and Kent Terrace. The other one backpacker hostel is located right in front of Railway Station. There some posh hotels around like Quality hotel on Lambton Quay, Quest hotel on Willis (which was also my home when I was there) Wellington is practically safe for women travellers on we have to be a little bit more cautious on Friday and Saturday night because drunken people are everywhere in sight. But the police there are cool and qucikly response to anything. Hopefully this is useful

Wellington is a cool place if the weather's right. No matter what time of year come prepared for four seasons. Check out the City Gallery in Civic Sqaure, it's free, as is Te Papa, the national museum. There's the Fine Art's Gallery near Queen's Warf (donation), sometimes it's worth a visit. Cable Car is very popular with toursists (and no you won't crash). Cuba Street is supposedly vibe-ish. Check out the beaches, Oriental, Lyall Bay, Eastborne. But it's also nice to get out of the city as it's only a short drive in any direction to get a taste of rural scenery, Waikane is nice. Most people only go to Wellington to travel through to the South Island on the Picton Ferry but it's worth a short stop to have a look around. The nice thing about Wellington is the way most of the surrounding suberbs work into the landscape, old victorian-style houses dotted on the hills. But the best sight in Wellington is the Katherine Mansfield birthplace for the literary, cultural tourist. Have a read of some of her stories before you go, like 'Prelude', 'The Wind Blows,' 'At the Bay' (set in Eastbourne) to put the place and the house in perspective. Enjoy!!

wellington is one of the nicest cities in the world. it contains many different cultures and races which also helps when you notice how friendly everyone is. if you travel there from the uk then watch exchange rates because if you get a good one everything is ridiculassly cheep!

Don't miss seeing "Te Papa", the national museum of New Zealand/Aotearoa. It's my favourite museum and I'm looking forward to visiting again.

I gained a clear understanding of just how sophisticated Maori culture was - and still is.

I particularly liked the "immigration" exhibit. It was very visual and very personal. Although not on the same scale, it had the vibrancy of Ellis Island in New York. In contrast, the "Immigration Museum" in Melboourne is very wordy and two dimensional.

Te Papa, Satay Kingdom for a mean Roti Chanai on the left bank, Cuba Street, local music live every night, small but awesome club scene, friendly people. Sweet place. Definately a place to see. A lot of cheap accomodation and extremely cheap living here.

A great day in Wellington would include....driving to Makara Beach west of the city......then take in the views at Mount Victoria.......drive around the bays to The Chocolate Fish Cafe....finish back downtown......stroll around the waterfront.....jump on an electric unit up to the Kapiti Coast......Wellington rocks!!!!!!!!!!!

Mt. Victoria hike, Wellington

Wellington is a laid back city. You can smell relax and warmth ambience everywhere. There are a lot of money exchange shops throughout the town beside the airport of course. The one that always give a good rates is James Cook, last time I know it was on the corner of Willis St and Lambton Quay I don't know whether it's still there or not but you can ask around. There are also National Bank, ANZ Bank, Westpac Banks. It is easy to get around Wellington, you can actually walk everywhere within the city centre, there are cabs and they are easily found on a street corners and also buses. The main bus station is located next to the railway station, as far as I remember there are no bus operate above 9 PM, so you better catch a cab or walk. Food are also everywhere ranging from fast food such McDonalds / KFC and Burger Kings, there are also a lot of of course Western restaurants, Chinese restaurants, Korean, Japanese, Malaysian restaurants and Indian restaurants around the city centre and let's not forget Turkish Kebab as well. Most of them you can find along Willis Street, Cuba Street, Courtenay Place. Cafes are also everywhere, I like Felix Cafe on Wakefield Street for a nice afternoon coffee or tea, Krazy Lounge of Cuba Street for a killer Iced Chocolate and I love having breakfast at Fidel's on Cuba Street, the place is next to a fish company (I dunno whether it is still there or not) and Zebos for brunch on Saturday, they never fail serving a killer breakfast. For a killer seafood Chowder I would go to La Bodega cafe (I dunno whether it is still there, it was on Upper Willis Street). If I don't feel like lazy to walk up to Oriental Parade or after Swimming on Public Swimming pool on Oriental parade, I love going to The Parade Cafe, their Chocolate Cake is super! Wellington is not that alive during weekday nights, shops are mosly close around 6 PM except restaurants, Cafes and Fast food counters. There is a late night Shopping on Friday night. The open half day on Saturday and some shops are closed on Sunday. There are nice clubs all over Wellington but most are concentrated along Courtenay Place area, where you can find RB clubs, Jazzy clubs, Trance Clubs or just lounge for chilling with your mates. Most clubs are happening on Friday Night and Saturday night, some clubs do open on Wednesday nights as it is normally students' night. Wellington is a harbour city meaning that it is located near the harbour area so you can expect a beautiful view of sea and mountain. There are a couple of spots in the Wellington City, the city council area where you can find City Library and Children Museum and a exhibition center The Michael Fowler Centre. There is also a Te Papa Tongarewa, National Museum. It has a unique but Modern Architecture. You can also go Seals watching somewhere in Seatoun area (I forgot the exact area because you have to walk to get to the seals place) and last but not least Mount Victoria, the highest place in Wellington where you can see the view of Wellington City, beautiful. Except visiting museum, going to Oriental Bay and Mount Vic there is not much tourist attractions except you are willing to go a bit further like to Wairarapa for wine tasting or Paraparaumu area for Cheese tasting and farm attraction (sheeps that is) There are lots of backpackers hotel in Wellington. one YHA hostel (please check first whether it is still there or not) is located on the corner of Cable Street and Kent Terrace. The other one backpacker hostel is located right in front of Railway Station. There some posh hotels around like Quality hotel on Lambton Quay, Quest hotel on Willis (which was also my home when I was there) Wellington is practically safe for women travellers on we have to be a little bit more cautious on Friday and Saturday night because drunken people are everywhere in sight. But the police there are cool and qucikly response to anything. Hopefully this is useful

Wellington is where I live. It is home to Te Papa Museum- about 10km away from the airport.

Make sure your luggage is light, as in one on board bag if just visiting or one backpack, briefcase, overnight bag if staying over a weekend if flying nationwide. International travellers would well benefit by carrying amongst their onboard luggage a light, waterproof parka/jacket, a compact hat or a warm cardigan. Wellington, even on it's sunniest days can still be a wee bit nippy or cool.

one of the best city in nz. the cuba street is amazing

Wellington. Go shopping.

When u r in Wellington, always take at least a light jacket with u. The wind can be bitter cold.