The capital, Wellington, stands on hills at the south end of the North Island. Its harbour is the sunken crater of an ancient volcano.  The city is the seat of Government.  About 200,000 people live in the city proper, and about 126,000 live in nearby suburbs. (population: 326,000)

Due to the steep hillssurrounding the city, the central city is focused around our waterfront and harbour – which means that everything is close by.

On a fine day, city and harbour offer spectacular views which make the city one of the most beautiful in New Zealand. However, unfortunately, the city is better known around New Zealand for its cold  blustery days during the wintertime even though these are a rarity.

Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand . 
It is also the
cultural, administrative and political center of the country. Two aspects of the city that will immediately strike any visitor are the sprawling harbour and the dramatic, hilly terrain. Everywhere you go, the sounds and smell of the ocean hang in the air, and green hills and valleys wrap
you in a bear-hug embrace. At night, Wellington offers up a spectacular, shimmering cityscape that is unlike almost anywhere else in the world. Even after seeing it for the hundredth time, it takes one's
breath away.

As the capital city, Wellington is the location of New Zealand's Parliament Buildings. The building on the left is called the
"Beehive". The recently refurbished Old Parliament Buildings are on the right.
 
 
 
 

Wellington is a vibrant, scenic, windy, cosmopolitan, diverse, eccentric, maddening and hilarious place. It has the some of the best museums, art galleries, restaurants, microbreweries, and coffee houses in the country. It is the storehouse for the nation's historic, cultural and artistic treasures. Being the first place European settlers arrived, it also boasts  lots of historic streets and buildings.

Night View of Oriental Parade

                 This scene shows Oriental Parade, on the water's edge, on a warm summers evening.
 

Wellington is the worlds most southern capital city and is the Cafe and Restaurant capital of
New Zealand as it is possible to eat at a different place every day with every type of cuisine  immaginable. Wellington is also known as the Art capital of New Zealand as there are many  fine Art Galleries. There are also many Festivals held each year such as the International Festival of the Arts, The Wine and Food Festival and the Dragon Boating Festival.
Wellington is also home to the International Nissan Mobil 500 Street Race.

Overall Wellington is a great place to visit as it is a vibrant city located on one of the most
spectacular harbours in the world. There are plenty of things to do in the city and in the surrounding area.
 

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North Island Tour	Te Puke - Gisborne	Napier - Rotorua	Wairakei -Taupo	Wellington
South Island Tour	Wanaka-West coast	Westcoast	Christchurch	Picton

New Zealands History and Culture page