Wellington

Beautiful Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, hemmed by hillsides and a magnificent glittering harbour. Wellington is the trend capital (although it is in constant battle with Auckland for this title) and given the relatively small population, there is an astounding number of world-class restaurants, cafes, bars and beautiful shops and boutiques for you to explore. The picturesque town is lain with Victorian terrace houses that steep up from the waterfront San Francisco style.

Wellington is the home of New Zealand's dynamic film industry and has earned itself the name "Wellywood". You know when a crew has just hit town because the mood lifts and all of a sudden there's a little extra something adding to the charms of this town.

Attractions: Wellington Botanic Gardens are easily visited with a cable car ride and is home beautiful large gardens including the Lady Norwood Rose Garden with over 300 varieties of roses. There are three different rock gardens to explore as well as a fragrant garden and a duck pond.

The Cable Car is one of Wellington's prime attractions and chugs sweetly up the hill from Lambton Quay to Kelburn. The view from the top is amazing and its photo opp galore with magnificent views of the Botanic Gardens, Carter Observatory and the Cable Car Museum.

If you're a Lord of the Rings fan, why not go on Wellington's exclusive Lord of the Rings tour? Follow in the footsteps of Hobbits, Dwarfs, Elves and Men for a unique full day experience that visits different movie locations such as Helms Deep and the Gardens of Isengard.

Transport around City: Buses, ferries and trains are available around the city. Taxis and car rental are also popular methods of travel.

Recommended Restaurants: Dockside Restaurant and Bar (Wellington CBD), Ichiban Teppanyaki (Lower Hutt), Boulcott Street Bistro (Wellington CBD), Burger Liquor (Te Aro), Charley Noble Eatery and Bar (Wellington CBD).

Recommended Bars: Concrete Bar (Lambton Quay), Choice Bros (Te Aro), The Ascot (Te Aro), The Library (Te Aro), Puffin Wine Bar (Te Aro).

Recommended Hotels: Bolton Hotel (Wellington CBD), CityLife Wellington (Wellington CBD), InterContinental Wellington (Wellington CBD), Mercure Wellington (Te Aro).

Culture: Wellywood is an artsy city that always has something happening like book readings, theatre pieces and art showings.