The capital of New Zealand is a city famed for its natural beauty as well as cultural centers, museums, art galleries and monuments. Wellington lies between a natural harbor and green, gently inclining hills, so reminiscent of Peter Jackson's recent Lord of the Rings trilogy. Wellington Harbor, originally called Te Upo ko o te Ika a Maui, was discovered by a Polynesian seaman in the 10th century. The lay of the land is such that a visitor to Wellington is no more than 3 kilometers away from the sea, no matter where he is. So it is obvious that Wellington is an ideal holiday destination for nature lovers.
The places one must visit in this culture capital of the Southern Hemisphere are the Te Papa National Museum, the Tinakori Street brimming over with art galleries and boutiques, and the home of Katherine Mansfield. The Te Papa depicts the culture and lifestyle of the indigenous Maori population. The Hill Street is home to St. Paul's Cathedral and an Anglican basilica.
Central Wellington houses New Zealand's Parliament, close to the Lambton Quay. The streets around the Quay are dotted with elegant shops and art galleries. The old department stores of Kircadie and Stains are located in this area. For those looking for a more Bohemian ambience, the Cuba Street and Courtney Place are the places to be, since the best nightclubs and open-air cafes of Wellington are situated in this area.
The large natural waterfronts and harbors of Wellington are always buzzing with fishermen and other locals who earn their living from the sea. The Wellington Harbor and the Mount Victoria form a splendid backdrop to Wellington. The Te Kapohou Reserve lies just outside the city precincts. The rocks of Red Rock Reserve inside the Te Kapohou are held sacred by the Maori. The Red Rocks are also ecologically important, since they are the breeding grounds for thousands of New Zealand's fur seals.
New Zealand has wide walkways running across the city to accommodate people who wish to go on a walking tour of the city.
