| Wellington - the Harbour Capital is an eclectic environment. With narrow streets, houses built on steep hillsides, heavily populated valleys, areas of dense bush, exposed rocky coasts, modern office and apartment blocks all within a few kilometers of each other and the equally diverse waterfronts of the inner harbour, beaches and bays. One can easily walk between the buzzing Wellington nightlife, including the numerous bars and cafes in Wellington central, and theatre district of Courtenay Place, bohemian Cuba Street and Mall, the shopping Mecca of the Lambton Quay area, the national Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa, the Michael Fowler Events Centre and city library, and along the revitalized waterfront park. Visitors should make time at least once to have a breakfast coffee at a pavement table, take a guided tour of Parliament Buildings, admire the wooden Gothic architecture of old St Paul’s, visit author Katherine Mansfield’s birthplace or view the Treaty of Waitangi at National Archives, and perhaps see a move at the Majestic or a show at the Opera House. The city has a busy airport linking to all cities and provincial towns, and there are regular daily services by ferry to Picton in the South Island. Wellington is a city best explored on foot and by excellent public transport – the city fathers had the foresight to retain the train and bus network with extends to the Hutt Valley and Kapiti Coast, Masterton and Palmerston North. Out and about exploring could include the Kapiti Coast, a harbour cruise to Soames Island or ferry to Eastbourne, the seal colony at Red Rocks, the Karori Wildlife sanctuary, riding the iconic Cable Car to the Botanic Gardens and walking down to the Lady Norwood Rose Gardens and Begonia House. Art is well represented in the many dealer galleries in the city and suburbs showcasing the huge local talent resident in the capital. |