WellingtonNZ.com, New Zealand

Suggested Itineraries - City Excitement

Wellington is an incredibly compact city and the best way to discover it is on foot. While you can walk from one end of town to the other within half an hour, you will no doubt be enthralled by the variety of the stores within this compact space.

Wellingtonians love their coffee – you can’t leave this city until you have sampled the local café culture.

Restaurants and bars provide an eating experience unmatched in New Zealand. From silver service to cheap meals and counter snacks, Wellington will serve you well. The cuisine is a melting pot reflecting Wellington’s cultural diversity.

Day 1

• Wellington is a very walkable city. The best way to explore Wellington is by foot with Walk Wellington.

OR

• Explore the city and beyond with Wellington Rover Tours, which has a hop on and off pass to most of Wellington’s attractions.
• Have lunch at one of Wellington’s favourite cafes such as Floriditas on Cuba Street. Be sure to leave room for dessert!
• Then spend the rest of the day shopping!  
  
  * Take time to check out the diverse shopping along Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Cuba Street and Courtenay Place, and discover the flavour of each quarter.
  
  * Fashionistas after Wellington specific designers should check out Starfish, Voon, Andrea Moore at the Old Bank Arcade, Robyn Mathieson, Mandatory, and Deborah Sweeney who is stocked in unitycollection and Artikel.
  
  * If you prefer a more traditional shopping experience, try Kirkcaldie and Stains.
  
  * You can also pick up The Fashion Map from the Wellington i-SITE Visitor Centre for a more comprehensive exploration of Wellington’s shopping. 
• Remember to stop for a coffee and cake break at one of the many boutique cafés or coffee carts such as Fuel.
• Have dinner at local institution and Cuisine's Restaurant of the Year, Matterhorn. For a more indulgent experience, try The Ambeli on Majoribanks Street or Wellington's fine dining icon, Logan Brown.
• You may want to check out the following establishments for their recent wins at the NZ Bartender Magazine Bar Awards:  
  
  * Matterhorn, for winning Bar of the Year, for the third year in a row
  
  * Mighty Mighty, for Best Music Offering
  
  * Motel, for Cocktail Bar of the Year 
• Wellington also boasts a full calendar of events, so be sure to check what’s on when you’re in town.

Day 2

• Visit the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, which tells New Zealand’s stories with a bold and innovative approach.
• Karori Sanctuary, a world’s first conservation attraction and home to some of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered wildlife.

AND

• Spend some time with Zest Food Tours exploring Wellington through good food, chocolates and coffee, or Wild About Wellington through a boutique beer tasting tour. 

If you have more time, be sure to:

• A Wellington City Sights Tour with Hammonds Sightseeing Tours.

OR

• If you have a big group, you may want to hire a unimog from CAT Tours and experience Wellington through this specialised vehicle.
• Spend some time along the waterfront doing what the locals do –swimming in the beach or at Freyberg Pool, running along the beautiful waterfront or simply walking and enjoying the stunning cityscape whilst having a mouth-watering gelato. 
• Pick up a Wellington Writers Walk guide from the Wellington i-SITE and read poems cast in stone, set against the stunning harbour backdrop. 
• Check out Good As Gold and Popup Gallery – an interesting fusion of fashion and art. 
• For New Zealand souvenirs, you will want to visit Kura and Te Papa Store.