Click HERE for a map of Wellington and
surrounding areas
Wellington, named after the Duke of
Wellington, is New Zealand's capital city, and after Auckland
and Christchurch, it is third largest urban area with a population
close to 400,000. It is located at
the south-western tip of the North Island, on the shores
of Cook Strait. The Wellington urban area is a
conurbation of 4 separate cities; Wellington City, Porirua City,
Lower Hutt City and Upper Hutt City. The Hutts are mainly
surburban areas to the northeast of the the harbour area, around
the Hutt River. Porirua City is to the north and has
predominently Maori and Pacific Islanders communities.
Wellington City is on the peninsula between the Cook Strait
and the harbour, where almost half of Wellington's population
reside, and the central business district is located.
The European settlement was
founded by employees of the New Zealand Company, in the period
between September 20th 1839 and January 22nd 1840, who
arrived by boat from Auckland. The city was made the
nations capital in 1865 replacing the then capital city
of Auckland. This was because it was felt
that its central location would making the citizens of the
South Island feel closer to the seat of Government and more in
touch with those who govern them. It was hoped this would
stave off any attempt by the South Island to become a seperate
commonwealth domain, and take with it the tax revenue being
generated from the newly discovered gold mines.
If your visit to New Zealand will
be based on a fly-drive experience, and you intend to visit both
Islands, then a visit to Wellington will be a must, as the
ferry boat service across the Cook Strait operates from
and to Wellington.
Wellington has direct air
service to all the country's main cities and many of the
smaller town too. Internationally, there are year round
flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and a seasonal limited
service to Nadi, Fiji
Over the years Wellington has
become a very cosmopolitan city with a large number of quality
restaurants offering a wide choice of cuisine, to suit every
palate and budget!
In both Wellington and the
surrounding areas there are huge number of hotels, guest
houses and B & B's, covering all budgets for you to choose from
- the hardest part might be choosing which ones to visit!
The city has over 500 sqkm of
regional gardens, parks and forests, and there is a
well-maintained networks of 'bushwalks' and walking trails to
explore. Other activites include walking and 'tramping', quad
biking, mountain biking, fishing, rock climbing. horse trekking,
golf and numerous water sports and activities. Up and down
the coast from the main city, there are a number of quiet,
secluded beaches, with captivating scenery of white sand, rocky
coves and warm, clear waters for safe swimming.
ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION DETAILS
AND PRICES ARE CURRENTLY BEING CREATED, IF YOU NEED DETAILS
AND PRICES AT THIS TIME PLEASE CALL OUR RESERVATIONS
TEAM.