Things to do in Wellington
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum of the
country. It opened its doors in 1998 following the merger of the National
Art Gallery and the National Museum. Arts, Pacific Cultures, History,
Taonga Maori and Natural History are the five major collections. They
include dresses from the 16th century, over 20,000 stamps and
related articles and approximately 13,000 contemporary and historic objects
from the Pacific Islands.
Wellington Botanic Garden
The Wellington Botanic Garden is located between Kelburn and Thorndon and
covers 25 hectares of lush green area. The area is a protected native
forest and includes an extensive Rose Garden and Carter Observatory in
addition to the Begonia House which is a huge Victorian Style Glasshouse.
The site also includes the Wellington Cable Car which runs between the top
of the Botanic Garden and Lambton Quay. The Cable Car offers panoramic
views of Wellington and has an on-site museum.
Cuba Street
Cuba Street is among the most popular streets in Wellington. It has a
distinct hip vibe and is lined with chic bistros, boutique stores, cafes,
music outlets, exhibition spaces and art galleries. It is the center of the
Cuba Quarter in the downtown area. Visitors can shop at the pedestrian mall
and plethora of retail outlets here. The CubaDupa, a free street arts
festival, takes place in the Cuba Street with several musical and
theatrical performances in addition to a street food festival.