Beautiful Wellington (Sponsored)
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Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa – www.tepapa.govt.nz
– Currently hosting two short term exhibitions, Warhol: Immortal and Colour & Light: Impressionism from France & America
– Australasia’s most visited museum
– Home to a Colossal Squid (about 6 feet long and weights just under 500kg)
– Admission is free (charges apply for short term exhibitions)
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Mount Victoria Lookout
– Stunning 360 degree views of the city and the harbour
– Great spot to get your bearings
– Lord of the Rings locations can also be found on Mt Vic
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Zealandia: The Karori Wildlife Sanctuary – www.visitzealandia.com
– Two parts – The Valley and The Exhibition
– See native NZ birds (Kiwi, Takahe) and Tuatara, Giant Weta
– Zealandia By Night Tours for kiwi spotting
– Just 15 minutes from downtown
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Film Tours
– Wellington Rover Tours – www.wellingtonrover.co.nz
– Wellington Movie Tours – www.movietours.co.nz
– Half Day and Full Day tours available
– Visit The Lord of the Rings filming locations across the city and the wider Wellington region
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Weta Cave – www.wetanz.com/cave
– The shop front of the world famour Oscar-winning Weta Workshop.
– Selection of props, collectibles and souvenirs
– Behind-the-scenes film in mini-theaterette
– New tour, Window Into Workshop, takes your into their exhibition space and allows you a glimpse into Weta Workshop
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Restaurants and bars
– Said to have more restaurants and bars per capita than New York
– Great coffee, craft beer and regional wine: http://www.wellingtonnz.com/
– Culinary Capital: http://www.wellingtonnz.com/
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Carter Observatory – www.carterobservatory.org
– New Zealand’s place for space
– Regular planetarium shows throughout the day
– Late night telescope viewings on Tuesday and Saturday
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Cuba Street
– Enjoy a slice of bohemia, boutique shopping and some of the best coffee in town
– Home to some top restaurants too – Logan Brown, Matterhorn – and newbie, Ombra
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Wellington Zoo – www.wellingtonzoo.com
– Feed a lion, play with a meerkat or red panda, or stroke a Cheetah on a Close Encounter
– See animals being cared for in The Nest: Te Kōhanga
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See a show
– The city and suburbs are home to a string of boutique theatres and well-supported film festivals
– Live performance at Downstage Theatre, Circa Theatre and BATS
– St James Theatre is the home of the Royal New Zealand Ballet
– Michael Fowler Centre is home to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
– Arthouse cinemas can be found in many suburbs – i.e. Roxy Cinema in Miramar, Penthouse Cinema in Brooklyn