Nestled between the harbour and forest clad hills, Wellington has national treasures, galleries, museums, boutique shopping and a thriving café and restaurant culture. Wellington also has wildlife and other natural attractions on its doorstep. Its compact size makes the city an easy place to walk around, yet its cosmopolitan flavour gives the sophistication of a big city. If you are interested in culture there are some fantastic touring options which include demonstrations of Maori Arts and Crafts and an extraordinary insight into the history, geography, arts and culture of New Zealand at the Te Papa museum. Wellington also has a wild side to discover. The city is also home to a world-renowned conservation shelter where New Zealand's endangered wildlife is regenerating, while south of the city is the ‘seal coast.’ We can arrange a 4WD tour starting at the city waterfront and heading out to the sea to visit these spectacular creatures as well as an invigorating bush walk in New Zealand's botanic garden, dedicated solely to native plants and a haven for native birds. If food is your thing, you could book a half-day walking tour that showcases the almost European café culture and specialist food stores, with a sampling of the best of produce at an award-winning restaurant included. Being home to film director Peter Jackson, Wellington and its surrounds are also home to many Lord of the Rings film locations. We can arrange a half or full day tour to see locations such as Rivendell, Auduin River, the gardens of Isengard, Hobbiton Woods and Lothlorien to name a few.  

If you have time on your journey south or north we highly recommend a stop for lunch or overnight in Martinborough, a picturesque village built around a classic village square and hemmed by some two dozen vineyards, most within walking distance of your accommodation. We can arrange a local wine tour which will include tasting some of New Zealand’s leading wines from award winning boutique wineries such as Murdoch James, Tirohana, Palliser and Te Kairange (this tour can be taken from Martinborough or from Wellington). 

For details of Wellington accommodation or Martinborough accommodation, or for details of our tour suggestions, click on the links on the right. Our experienced consultants can easily build any of these experiences into a tailor-made New Zealand holiday quote for you.