Framed by emerald forests, this diamond-like city captivates with its many facets. The capital of New Zealand and the country’s second most populous city, Wellington was named after Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, a distinguished British commander, victor at Waterloo, and Prime Minister of Great Britain.
This green and attractive city is renowned for its fascinating 19th- and 20th-century architecture, numerous bridges, squares, and landmarks. Its favorable location on the southern part of the North Island, in the heart of the country, makes it an ideal starting point for travels throughout New Zealand.
Entertainment and Attractions
Wellington is renowned for its beautiful landscapes, combining historic wooden architecture, early 20th-century buildings in a variety of styles, and a wilderness largely untouched since its founding.
Among the city’s architectural landmarks, notable are the Old Government House on Lambton Quay, one of the largest wooden buildings in the world; the 1858 Colonial House Museum on Nareen Street, designed by British émigré William Wallis; and the modern Parliament House, shaped like a beehive on Molesworth Street.
The city also boasts several cathedrals and churches, including the wooden Gothic Revival Old St. Paul’s; the Church of St. Mary of the Angels, the world’s first Gothic Revival church to use reinforced concrete; and St. Peter’s Church, with its magnificent stained glass windows and London bells, on Willis Street in Te Aro.
Wellington is home to many of the country’s most important museums. The City Gallery features exhibitions of New Zealand and international artists, while the Dawes Museum of Art displays contemporary masterpieces of glass and clay, paintings, textiles, and jewelry. There are also specialized sites, such as the New Zealand Cricket Museum, which explores the history of the game and its development, and the Cable Car Museum, which highlights the history of the cable car and its sister lifts across the country.
Wellington’s natural beauty is another highlight. The Wind Gardens create a favorable microclimate for trees, allowing them to bloom almost year-round. A vast park on the slopes of Mount Victoria offers stunning views of the city and Cook Strait, and the city is also home to several zoos.
