Wellington, New Zealand

Wellington is New Zealand's capital city, and home to 166,200 residents. The city is located about 483 kilometers (300 miles) south of Auckland, on the southern tip of New Zealand's North Island. Central Wellington is positioned between a picturesque harbor and forested green hills. The city of Wellington includes approximately 60 suburbs, while Greater Wellington (aka the Wellington Region) includes the entire area from the seacoast in the south, to Otaki, Mount Bruce, and Castlepoint in the north, and covers a total area of approximately 800,000 hectares (1.5 million acres).

Wellington is the historic and cultural center of New Zealand. The city is home to the New Zealand Parliament, as well as the Archives of New Zealand, where the original copy of the Treaty of Waitangi is kept (the signing of this treaty in 1840 is generally considered the founding point of the nation). The Te Papa Museum is the premier museum of New Zealand history and culture, and affectionately referred to as "Our Place." The museum's permanent exhibits include a huge Maori collection, natural history and environmental exhibits, New Zealand art and culture galleries, and a hands-on discovery center for children. Other museums include the Museum of Wellington City and Sea, and the Colonial Cottage Museum. Another historic attraction is Katherine Mansfield Birthplace, the former home of one of New Zealand's most famous writers. Of course, history isn't just found indoors. Visitors can also learn about Maori heritage, architecture, and other aspects of local history by exploring one of the city's Heritage Trails.

Wellington is a place where the arts flourish, and the city is home to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and several theater companies. Local art galleries include the City Gallery, and the Pataka Museum, which showcases the region's art, heritage, and culture. Film buffs may never want to leave the Mediaplex, which houses a library, cinema and research center, and film archive, and contains more than 90,000 New Zealand television, video, and film titles. Speaking of movies, another popular tourist attraction is the Lord of the Rings Film Set Tours that take place in Wellington and across New Zealand.

Kids will be delighted with a visit to the Wellington Zoo, or Capital E!, a multipurpose facility that encourages children to unleash their creativity. Capital E! offers TV and music studio tours, live theater performances, and workshops on everything from digital art to circus acts.

A unique local sight is the Wellington Cable Car, which will take you up a steep hill to the Botanic Gardens. One of the city's best attractions, the Botanic Gardens is a 25-hectare (62-acre) site featuring native forest, more than 100 species of roses, flower and plant collections, and a teahouse. While there, stop by the Carter Observatory, where you can see a planetarium, astronomy displays, telescopes, and stargaze on clear nights. Want to see more of New Zealand's lush, natural landscapes? Then head to the nearby Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, the Kapiti Island Nature Reserve, or devote some time to exploring the many parks and natural areas found across the country.

Nestled between a blue harbor and beautiful green hills, Wellington, New Zealand invites you to discover all that it has to offer!

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