Wellington Car Hire

Guide to Wellington

Geography

Wellington lies on the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and Remutaka Range. Interestingly, the city is situated on a fault line and has survived many earthquakes. Also, its proximity to the mouth of the narrow Cook Strait leaves it prone to strong gales, which has earned it the nickname, ‘Windy Wellington’.

Climate

Wellington has a temperate maritime climate. While planning your itinerary, keep in mind that New Zealand’s seasons are reversed due to being situated in the southern hemisphere. The autumn months (March to May) are considered the best time to visit the city. It’s when pleasant weather and fall foliage come together to give the city a spectacular ambience. Autumn is also when some of the best festivals take place, such as Summer City and NZ Fringe.

Culture in Wellington

Labelled as the ‘Coolest Little Capital in the World’ by Lonely Planet, Wellington has grown from a Maori settlement to a colonial outpost and from that to a global city.

In 1965, the capital was transferred from Auckland to Wellington.

Today, it has a thriving cosmopolitan culture and is home to some of the largest and oldest histo-cultural institutions in the country. It also boasts geological gems and a youthful art and culture scene.

Things To Do in Wellington

Spend a day at the best museum in town

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is a six-storeyed atheneum that came into being after the National Museum and the National Art Gallery merged together in 1998. The phrase ‘Te Papa Togarewa’ literally translates to ‘Container of Treasures’ and is aptly justified by the blend of indigenous and contemporary interactive exhibitions hosted here. Start at the Mana Whenua exhibition, which celebrates Maori culture with state-of-the-art multimedia displays, and then go on to explore the national art collection in the Toi Art section. From there, head to Te Taio Nature, which depicts how magnificent native flora and fauna have evolved along the seismic belt that Wellington is built on.

Take a cable car to Kelburn Lookout

Wellington’s bright red cable car is a popular tourist attraction. It starts its journey at Lambton Quay and trudges its way up to the Kelburn Lookout. The 5-minute scenic journey takes you through 3 tunnels and over 3 bridges, up to a height of 120 metres. This engineering marvel was originally steam-powered and is presently the nation’s only remaining funicular railway. Keep a lookout for incredible artwork at Lambton Quay, like the Rainbow Mural by Gina Kiel. Apart from the panoramic views of the city, Kelburn terminal also features an interesting Cable Car Museum.

Immerse yourself in fantasy worlds

Cinephiles would love the fantastic behind-the-scenes tour at the Academy Award-winning Weta Cave Workshop. Here, you can take a sneak peek into the artistry and innovation that created the props, costumes and special effects for iconic films like Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar and Spider Man 2. The guided tour lasts about 45 minutes and there’s a souvenir shop selling curios of your favourite fantastical characters at the end.

Eating Out in Wellington

New Zealand’s cuisine is a blessed fusion of Maori, British, American and Asian cultures, among others. Some of the must-try items while you’re in Auckland include: Hāngi, Whitebait Fritters, Crayfish, Meat Pie, Fish and Chips, Lolly Cake, Pavlova, Rewana Bread, and Hokey Pokey Ice cream.

The capital is noted for its gastronomic wonders and has something for everyone, be it quick-n-dirty but delicious street eats or sophisticated fine-dining experiences. Here are some of our favourites:

Dig into perfectly cooked paua and octopus served with salt and vinegar chips or some steamed tofu custard at Shepherd, which is a part of the famous Hannahs Laneway precinct. Logan Brown on the corner of Cuba Street has been delighting its patrons with sophisticated yet simple dishes like the basil and lime beurre blanc and crayfish dumplings with bone broth and tamarind. Hiakai, located in the suburbs in Mt Cook, innovates with Maori and Polynesian ingredients to create modern and unique items. Savour dishes like titi bird, red matipo and mamaku, all of which are part of their degustation menu. Experience yum cha which translates as ‘drink tea’ at family-run Dragons on Courtenay Precinct. It brings authentic Cantonese food to Wellington with its delicious har gao, siu mai and fung chau.

Wellington Transport

Airport

Located about 5 kilometres from the city centre, Wellington International Airport (WLG) is the third-busiest airport in New Zealand and a hub for Air New Zealand.

Getting around

Getting around in Wellington is quite easy as it has a great public transport system consisting of buses, trains, cable cars and even ferries operated by Metlink. Pay the fares by purchasing the Snapper smartcards.

Most visitors travelling through New Zealand typically hire a car as it offers comfort, flexibility, and convenience. New Zealand not only has a great network of well-laid roads but the landscapes on the way are also incredibly picturesque. If you’re travelling in a large group, consider hiring a 7 seater or a 9 seater van. You can also do a one-way hire, which means that you can pick up your vehicle in one city – say Wellington – and drop it off in another – like Wellington – before flying out. This would save you the hassle of having to drive it back.