Wellington and the Wairarapa Travel Guide
- Overview
- Places to Explore
- Sights
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Entertainment
- Shopping
- Travel Tips
- Features
- Fodor's Choice
- Deals
Guidebooks
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Fodor's New Zealand
Trade Paperback
Photo: Ian Trafford/Tourism New Zealand
People are finding their way to Wellington, and not merely because it's the sailing point for ferries heading south. From the windswept green heights overlooking New Zealand's capital, a crystal-clear winter morning reveals stunning views over the deceptively quiet waters of Cook Strait stretching to the snowcapped mountains of the South Island; and it's sheer heaven on a mild summer night when a silver medallion of moon tops mysterious misty hillsides.
Wellington and the Wairarapa Hotels
Accommodations in Wellington range from no-frills backpacker hostels and motel units, to classic bed-and-breakfasts in colonial-era villas, to sleek central...read more
Wellington and the Wairarapa Restaurants
In Wellington, restaurants, cafés, and sports bars have been springing up overnight like mushrooms. Although we'll never be without the classic meal...read more
Things To Do in Wellington and the Wairarapa
Explore the best sights, entertainment, and shopping with our top choices and insider tips.
Travel Deals in Wellington and the Wairarapa
- $1120* & up -- New Zealand in 'Fall' from West Coast, R/T Air New Zealand
- $3099 & up -- Australia & New Zealand 4-City, 12-Night Trip Qantas Vacations
- $1029 & up -- 12-Nt. Australia & New Zealand on Celebrity American Express Travel
- $2099 & up -- 8-Night New Zealand & Australia Escape w/Tours — $2,099 Qantas Vacations
- $3099 & up -- Australia, New Zealand & Cook Islands Getaway — $3,099 Travelscene
Wellington and the Wairarapa Experiences
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Arts and Culture: The national symphony, ballet, and opera are headquartered here. And the biennial New Zealand International Arts Festival celebrates... Read more
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A drive up the West Coast from Wellington is not to be missed. State Highway 1 takes you north, and about a half hour out of the city you hit... Read more
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Winding through the steep bush-clad hills north of Wellington, the narrow road to the Akatarawa Valley (in the Maori language, Akatarawa means... Read more
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A wonderful place to spend a day walking and exploring, the Matiu Island Scientific and Historic Reserve lies in Wellington Harbour approximately... Read more
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Pick up a map of the area vineyards at Martinborough's visitor center, then hit the road to sample some of the country's best up-and-coming vineyards... Read more
News & Features
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Trip Ideas, Outdoors
Whether as an ending to a South American tour or as a trip of solely outdoor adventures, Patagonia calls... Read more
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Arts & Culture, Events
The Swiss city of Basel is getting ready to host to the who's who of the art world yet again, with the... Read more
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Trip Ideas
Do you suffer from Vacation Deprivation?... Read more
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54° F Scattered Clouds 72% Humidity May 23, 2013 at 8:00AMCheck historic weather for your trip dates
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· Forums Trip Reports
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We have just returned from two weeks in the land of the long white cloud although we only saw cloud on two days and rain on one!
We spent a week in the Bay of Islands with the highlight being sailing i Read more -
Hi, all -- since I find other people's trip reports so helpful I've decided to post one of mine. Read more
·New Zealand Forum
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Hi we are a family of four with two older teenage children and planning a New Zealand trip in December 2013 for about 3 weeks. Read more
