Wellington & Martinborough

Explore the quaint wine village of Martinborough and immerse yourself in the unique culture of funky Wellington.

Wellington weather is always a talking point but this compact city has a powerful mix of culture, history, nature and cuisine that will soon have you distracted. Surrounded by nature and charged with creative energy, you can fuel your visit with strong coffee and world-class craft beer – Wellingtonians are masters of casual dining, with plenty of great restaurants, night markets and food trucks.

You will need to bring your appetite to Martinborough, where Pinot Noir and excellent restaurants promise to ease you into a very happy state of mind. Packed with colonial charm, Martinborough features over 20 wineries, most within cycling and walking distance of the quaint village square. Some of New Zealand’s best pinot noir comes from the town’s predominately family-owned vineyards.


Relax at Oriental Bay, Wellington’s golden-sand inner-city beach and delve into the many museums, art galleries and theatre shows that make up the city’s pulsing cultural scene. If you’re into the outdoors, Wellington has action-packed adventure activities like mountain biking and sea-water kayaking, as well as beautiful walks around the harbour and surrounding hills. Try the visually stunning Makara Peak track, as well as the City to Sea walk where you can experience the best of Wellington’s waterfront. Ride the cable car up the hill to Kelburn for amazing views over the city and enjoy an ice cream at the top.

On the waterfront itself you’ll find Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, New Zealand’s national museum. Te Papa, as it’s colloquially known, means ‘our place’ and is one of the best interactive museums in the world. Bracing for the windy Wellington weather as you stroll along the waterfront with a flat white in hand just may be one of the most authentically kiwi experiences you could have.

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