Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
T&KonTour
Wednesday 30 March, Wellington Te Papa Museum
We have two full days in Wellington to get to know the city, so like good tourists we make our way to the city's Visitor Information Centre. They are horrified at the "ancient and out of date" city map we were given by Quest Apartments, bin them and replace them with nice new ones. They also indicate where the main night life and restaurant district is, around the Cuba Street pedestrian precinct. First up though, we walk through the cultural precinct, across the "arty" bridge, otherwise known as the "City to Sea Bridge" and along the wharf with pop up boutiques and restaurants (think Darling Harbour). Here we find the National Museum of NZ, otherwise called the Te Papa Museum.
We split up as each couple has different interests. Tony & Kathy head for a coffee and then explore the 3 main levels that summarise the history of this island nation, its land and people. Lunch is at a pub on the wharf and then we explore the restaurant district before walking back to base. Colin & Sue walk a fair way to visit The Great War Exhibition that was created by Sir Peter Jackson. We chill out for the rest of the afternoon and Kathy pops next door for a hair cut. Dinner is Turkish at a restaurant in Cuba Street.
Thursday 31 March, Cable Car, Botanic Gardens and "There And Back Again"
As luck would have it we are only an eight floor lift ride, and 200m walk along Lambton Quay, one of the main shopping streets, to the lower terminus of the Wellington Cable Car. This 5 minute ride takes you close to the top of Kelburn Hill with a great view of the city from a height of 119m. It is also the start of a meandering downhill walk through the Botanic gardens. If you want some serious exercise we recommend doing it in reverse, up the steep hill, but we enjoy looking at the gardens and end up at the rose garden, begonia house, café and of course, shop. Continuing down the walk we come to the Beehive, which as most people know is the Parliament House of NZ. You can do tours but there doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm from our group. A quick "kodak moment" and we check out places for lunch and/or dinner along The Terrace, which just happens to be where our apartment is located.
The "There And Back Again" is a reference to the Hobbit movie, but is also the name of a 2 1/2 hour bus tour to the Miramar district which is the centre of the NZ movie industry. Most of the tour was around the Weta Workshop which is responsible for creating the designs, creatures, prosthetics, costumes and props for some 115 movies including District 9, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Hell Boy, Elysium etc. etc. Very over-priced souvenirs in the shop but interesting to see how they create everything, plus costumes and props from the movies.
We visit "The Old Bailey" pub which is around the corner from the Beehive. A jug of good beer for the boys (Montkeiths Original Ale) and modestly-priced meals in a character pub was a nice way to end our time in Wellington.
We have two full days in Wellington to get to know the city, so like good tourists we make our way to the city's Visitor Information Centre. They are horrified at the "ancient and out of date" city map we were given by Quest Apartments, bin them and replace them with nice new ones. They also indicate where the main night life and restaurant district is, around the Cuba Street pedestrian precinct. First up though, we walk through the cultural precinct, across the "arty" bridge, otherwise known as the "City to Sea Bridge" and along the wharf with pop up boutiques and restaurants (think Darling Harbour). Here we find the National Museum of NZ, otherwise called the Te Papa Museum.
We split up as each couple has different interests. Tony & Kathy head for a coffee and then explore the 3 main levels that summarise the history of this island nation, its land and people. Lunch is at a pub on the wharf and then we explore the restaurant district before walking back to base. Colin & Sue walk a fair way to visit The Great War Exhibition that was created by Sir Peter Jackson. We chill out for the rest of the afternoon and Kathy pops next door for a hair cut. Dinner is Turkish at a restaurant in Cuba Street.
Thursday 31 March, Cable Car, Botanic Gardens and "There And Back Again"
As luck would have it we are only an eight floor lift ride, and 200m walk along Lambton Quay, one of the main shopping streets, to the lower terminus of the Wellington Cable Car. This 5 minute ride takes you close to the top of Kelburn Hill with a great view of the city from a height of 119m. It is also the start of a meandering downhill walk through the Botanic gardens. If you want some serious exercise we recommend doing it in reverse, up the steep hill, but we enjoy looking at the gardens and end up at the rose garden, begonia house, café and of course, shop. Continuing down the walk we come to the Beehive, which as most people know is the Parliament House of NZ. You can do tours but there doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm from our group. A quick "kodak moment" and we check out places for lunch and/or dinner along The Terrace, which just happens to be where our apartment is located.
The "There And Back Again" is a reference to the Hobbit movie, but is also the name of a 2 1/2 hour bus tour to the Miramar district which is the centre of the NZ movie industry. Most of the tour was around the Weta Workshop which is responsible for creating the designs, creatures, prosthetics, costumes and props for some 115 movies including District 9, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Hell Boy, Elysium etc. etc. Very over-priced souvenirs in the shop but interesting to see how they create everything, plus costumes and props from the movies.
We visit "The Old Bailey" pub which is around the corner from the Beehive. A jug of good beer for the boys (Montkeiths Original Ale) and modestly-priced meals in a character pub was a nice way to end our time in Wellington.
- comments