Looking for a fantastic range of creative, active and gourmet experiences on your next break; then take the short flight over the ditch and land in a culture, cuisine and adventure wonderland.
Wellington, at the bottom of the North Island of New Zealand, is known as the creative and culinary capital of the country. This vibrant and compact city features over 750 cafes, bars and restaurants scattered among galleries, museums, views, movie sets, walking trails and Crocodile Bikes.
Wellington (credit: Julian Apse)
What’s a Crocodile Bike – it’s a two or four-seater bike for hire and one of the many awesome ways you can explore this city and its stunning waterfront area full of parks, sculptures and the best ice cream you’ve ever had.
Australasia’s most visited museum – Te Papa is unmissable. A recognised world leader in interactive and visitor-focused museum experiences and recently voted into the Lonely Planet’s top 500 places to visit. Here, where the admission is free, you can enjoy exciting displays of New Zealand’s diverse culture and art, plus free entertainment and performances.
Mount Victoria, Wellington (credit: Julian Apse)
Take a ride on the Cable Car to Kelburn Lookout for equally stunning views along with access to the Botanic Gardens, Space Place and Zealandia – an eco-sanctuary full of rare native birds, animals and plant life.
Film Director Sir Peter Jackson’s hometown, often referred to as Wellywood is also full of filmmakers, movie production and special effects facilities. Take a tour of Weta Studios to immerse in the film making industry. Explore the Weta Cave featuring behind-the-scenes footage from movies like Avatar and Lord of the Rings, movie props, miniatures, weapons and vehicles.
Foodies and wine lovers can relish in the fact that a short ride from Wellington to the South Island on one of the most scenic ferry trips in the world, will deposit them in the heart of the picturesque Marlborough region – the home of Sauvignon Blanc, fresh seafood and spectacular scenery.
The renowned Queen Charlotte Track begins near the ferry town of Picton, and this impressive journey along mountain ridges and historic bays providing unrivalled views of the Marlborough Sounds can easily be done on foot or mountain bike.
Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough Sounds (credit: Chris McLennan)
Tasting your way around this mouth-watering region in a relaxed self-guided manner by car or bicycle is recommended, to provide your palate with the chance to experience the unique and exciting delicacies on offer. There’s over 150 wineries, 37 cellar doors and numerous micro-breweries to sample.
The townships of Blenheim and Renwick, surrounded by neat rows of vines as far as the eye can see, provide the perfect base to explore from. Indulgent days filled with tastings of Sav Blanc, distinctive for its purity, vibrancy and intensity, alongside local fresh caught salmon, blue cod and green-lipped muscles, boutique hotels and quaint homestay accommodations will guarantee you will never want to leave.
Blenheim, Marlborough (credit: Kieran Scott)
You can book 5 nights from $955* per person twin share, for selected travel dates 7–11 Oct, 14 Oct–30 Nov 2018. Check out all the offers on the customisable flyer available at qhv.com.au.
- READ: New Zealand’s Wellington is #1, again!
- READ: 48 hours in Wellington on a budget
- READ: New Zealand’s North Island needs a bucket list all to itself
What is the first thing you would do in Wellington and Marlborough?
Written by Kim Culyer, KARRYON contributor
This article was brought to you by:
