Wellington

At the foot of the North Island lies Wellington – a picturesque harbour city framed by forested hills.

New Zealand’s capital city is best known for its arts scene and café culture, and Wellingtonians will proudly tell you that the coffee here is the best in the country. Wellington has also become a mecca for beer lovers, with many of the city’s bars serving hoppy creations concocted in local micro-breweries.

Wellington’s central city occupies a flat strip of land between the hills and the harbour, making it compact and easy to get around. Among the star attractions are the national museum Te Papa Tongarewa, home to many of New Zealand’s treasures; and Zealandia, a vast eco-sanctuary housing some of the country’s rarest birds, reptiles and insects.

With so much going for it, it’s no surprise that Lonely Planet dubbed Wellington “the coolest little capital in the world”.