Wellington

Wellington is New Zealand's windy capital city. It has a much more chill vibe than Auckland, because it's much smaller, has less people, and a notable lack of high-rise buildings.

Wellington is only about an hour flight from Auckland, but a 12 hour train ride! It's the gateway to the South Island, located on the southern end of the North island, you can catch a 3-hour ferry to the South island.

Wellington is also basically Middle-earth, for Lord of the Rings fans, and the reason I was inspired to visit. Check out Gandalf in the airport! Yes!

On my way to the hotel, I could see big event tents set up along the waterfront.

After checking-in, I made my way to the Te Papa Museum, passing by all the hub-bub going on, but not yet knowing what it was all for.

Te Papa is the largest museum in the country, and is naturally dedicated to all things New Zealand. It has the original Treaty of Waitangi, the country's founding document between England and the Māori. They have extensive information about Māori culture.

You can find out what it's like to live in an area prone to earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanos through various exhibits like the earthquake simulator, where you can experience what it's like to be in a house that's hit by a 6.0 earthquake. I live in Hawaii, and have lived in California, so I didn't need to wait in line to experience this. I already know!

Te Papa is the only museum in the world where you can see an actual giant squid. Enjoy!

I spent about 2 hours here. Your ticket is good for 2 days.

Te Papa

On my way back to the hotel, there were so many people out on the waterfront. They were waiting for Dragonboat racing. That was exciting.

I found out that the tents were set up for all the athletes. There was a lot!

Welly Rings Tour

On my second day, I took a full day Lord of the Rings tour that went to multiple filming sites all around Wellington. I went with Welly Rings Tours. I'm not affiliated with them.

Our tour guide Dixie, was very enthusiastic. It's fun to be on a tour led by someone that is as big a fan as you! She will be working on the new Gollum movie.

The tour included a stop at Wētā Workshop. I will never tire of Wētā, I went 3 times. Visiting the Wellington location was the whole reason I came here. Visiting the outer shire, Rivendell, and Isengard was an added bonus.

Zealandia

On my third day, I took a ride on the cable car. Once you get to the top, you have several options as to what to explore. I thought I would do the botanical gardens and then hop on the free shuttle to Zealandia.

However, the gardens are massive! There are so many paths to explore, and their routes descended all the way down the hill that I had just taken a cable car to climb up, so that means I'd have to climb back to the top of the hill, and I was not in the mood. I was too fatigued at this point of the trip, so I skipped it and went straight to Zealandia.

Fortunately, I got to see the grand finale of the botanical gardens, Lady Norwood Rose Garden, which holds over 300 types of roses, the next day, when my tour van drove by it! It's at street level. Take an Uber there.

Zealandia is a fenced in ecosanctuary, free of pests, and full of rare wildlife. It felt a bit like I was stepping into Jurassic Park!

There are several different trails of various lengths and fitness abilities. I took the easiest one and enjoyed my time outside listening to the birds and cicadas.

Your admission ticket is good for 2 days. They also have night tours.

Seal Safari

On my fourth day, I took a half day organized tour called, Seal Coast Safari - Exclusive access to Wellington's secret coast. This was through the same company as the Lord of the Rings tour. It was quite the jaunt, but I did actually see seals! So yay. We also did a short bush walk through Otari-Wilton's Bush.

The company has access to a privately owned road that goes up and over a mountain covered in windmills. If you try to visit this beach on your own you'd have to go around the coast and it would take about 3 hours!

The rose garden from the van!

On my last day in Wellington, I went back to Wētā for another tour. The tour that I went on with Welly tours was completely different than the tour I booked straight through Wētā. I'm glad I went back! See my full report here.

I took an Uber from Wētā to Cuba street, to find the famed Bucket Fountain.

There are lots of shops and restaurants. I had lunch at an Irish Pub.

From here I walked back towards my hotel and down to the waterfront and came across a different kind of fountain a memorial dedicated to a beloved dog, Paddy the Wanderer. Legend has it he wandered the wharf and beyond, riding on ships throughout the country and to Australia. He was even said to have flown in a small two-seater airplane!

Paddy became well-known by the locals as he wandered the city on his own, and was so popular that taxi drivers would drive him around and tram drivers would pick him up. When he died in 1939, hundreds of people came out to mourn him. In 1945, money was raised for his memorial: a water fountain for humans and dogs alike.