Car Hire Wellington - Mini guide to Wellington

New Zealand’s capital city is somewhat modest compared to the larger and busier Auckland, yet Wellington has seen a revival in recent years and enjoys a stunning hilly location inside a huge natural harbour. Sometimes windy, it has plenty of culture and entertainment to match its unhurried atmosphere.

Wellington’s CBD is squashed between hills and the harbour. The commercial district is several blocks east in the Lambton Quay area, and it is here that you find many of the curious government buildings. The odd-looking ‘Beehive’ houses the governments modest executives, and nearby is the old Government Building (one of the largest all-wooden buildings in the world), the National Library (housing the most comprehensive collection of books in the country) and the Katherine Mansfield Memorial, commemorating on the country’s most famous women.

Along the waterfront is a small redeveloped area with several entertainment and recreational facilities, but the newest attraction is the highly recommended Te Papa museum, which includes insightful displays of Maori culture.

A pedestrianised centre makes this city very walkable and many cafes and small restaurants, as well as good shops are clustered along Cuba street. The Thorndon area has some interesting old colonial architecture and the waterfront drive along Oriental bay is also lovely weather you’re in a car, on a bike or rollerblades.

The city also has several excellent vantage points. A road winds it’s way up to Mt Victoria, and walking trails descend. Ever popular is the antique funicular ride to the summit of the excellent botanical gardens behind the CBD.

Wellington International Airport is 5kms southeast of the city centre and receives flights mostly from Australia and regional destinations. Buses and shuttles run regularly into the centre. There are also several ferries a day to the South Island, departing from Lambton Quay.

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The major suburbs in Wellington are: Breaker Bay, Houghton Bay, Karaka Bay, Mitcheltown, Mornignton, Miramar, Oriental Bay, Seatoun, Shelly Bay, Wadestown and Vogeltown.