Suggested Itineraries - Nationhood and Heritage
Wellington, the seat of New Zealand’s national identity, is also home to its stories of heritage and history.
Day 1
- Begin your journey of discovery at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, which tells New Zealand’s stories using a bold and innovative approach.
- Have lunch at one of Wellington’s favourite cafés.
- Take a free tour of the Parliament.
- Whilst in the area of Thorndon, New Zealand’s oldest suburb, you can visit:
* Old Government Building – the southern hemisphere’s largest wooden building
* The National Library Gallery
* Archives New Zealand – where the original Treaty of Waitangi is kept
* Old St Paul’s Cathedral
* Katherine Mansfield Birthplace
* The Thistle Inn, New Zealand’s oldest hotel - Have dinner at one of Wellington’s trendy restaurants.
- Walk it off with the Sanctuary By Night tour at Karori Sanctuary to experience the native flora and fauna, kiwis and tuataras conserved in this world’s first conservation project.
Day 2
- Head to the Museum of Wellington to hear stories of the capital’s land and sea which complement Te Papa’s stories of the nation.
- Ride the iconic Wellington Cable Car to the very top for a panoramic view of Wellington.
- Whilst in the Cable Car precinct, you may also want to learn more about the cable car at the award-winning Cable Car Museum.
OR
- Visit the Karori Sanctuary, by day, if you think the Sanctuary by Night tour is too dark for you.
- Take a drive to Petone to learn more about the city’s settlement at the Petone Settler’s Museum.
- Whilst there, have lunch at one of the funky cafés along Jackson Street or at La Bella Italia on Nevis Street for their delicious Italian cusine.
If time permits, be sure to visit:
- Colonial Cottage, a look at how Colonial settlers made their lives in New Zealand.
- Otari-Wilton’s Bush, New Zealand’s foremost native plant collection.
- National Cricket Museum at the Basin Reserve.
- Or call in to the Wellington i-SITE Visitor Centre for some heritage walking trail maps.
