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The Capital of New
Zealand, Wellington, is also a cultural centre, home to Te Papa, the
ground-breaking
interactive Museum of New Zealand, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
and national treasures such as the
original Treaty of Waitangi and Katherine Mansfield’s Birthplace. The
city is compact and interesting, nestled
between a dramatic harbour and bush clad hills. Great views can be found
at the top of Mount Victoria, or by
catching the cable car up to the Botanic Gardens. Downtown Wellington is
ideally explored on foot. Made up
of four quarters each with their own distinct mix of shopping, cafes,
transport, accommodation, Wellington's
intense urban experience is unrivalled in the country.
The central city area
of Wellington is the place to see performing arts, particularly ballet,
theatre
and musical performances. Local cuisine is sophisticated and inventive -
an abundance of excellent cafes
and restaurants are within walking distance of all the major hotels. The
waterfront has been transformed
into a graceful promenade with shops, restaurants, activities and
elegant landscaping making it a real
draw for visitors and locals alike. The new state of the art sports and
entertainment Stadium is just a
short walk from downtown.
A different side of
Wellington can be found along the western Kapiti Coast. The route
follows
the rugged
coastline, providing spectacular views. Off the coast is the world
famous bird sanctuary on Kapiti
Island. The warm climate and relaxed lifestyle of this area have given
birth to a luxurious style of
country life - there are olive groves, feature gardens and unique Bed
and Breakfasts. Just north of
Wellington city is the Hutt Valley, an area that offers a multitude of
outdoor and adventure experiences
including bush and coastal walks, 4WD (four-wheel drive) tours, golf,
mountain biking and fishing.
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