Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington
Slide Nr 1Wellington is a tiny town that packs a punch, nestled in the hills of the harbour in New Zealand’s North Island. The country’s capital, it boasts a thriving hospitality scene and a film industry that speaks volumes worldwide. Wellington also happens to be situated in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the South Pacific – and yet you can get almost everywhere on foot. It’s a place you’ll visit for just one day, and long to stay forever…
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24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 27am: Walk Along Wellington Waterfront – Wellington is located at the mouth of the Cook Strait, and blessed with some of the most stunning sunrises, just 5 minutes from the heart of the city. While you may find it hard to wipe the sleep from your eyes and get up early, I promise it will be worth it. Walk from your hotel at QT Museum Wellington or the Copthorne (or Airbnb on the cheap) to Oriental Bay, you’ll be struck by some of the most visually arresting scenes to start your day. [Photo: Lucy Revill]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 38am: Coffee By Chaffers Marina – Head around the waterfront towards New Zealand’s national museum Te Papa to find a range of little coffee shops like Mojo Poneke, smack bang in the middle of Chaffers Dock. Million-dollar views and million-dollar coffee await. Wellingtonians are mad about our coffee, much of it roasted right in the capital. Mojo – a popular Wellington-founded chain – have little independent coffee shops all over town, so if you’re seeking Starbucks, you’d better find another city. [Photo: Lucy Revill]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 48:30am: Morning Wellington Markets – Once you’re fully caffeinated, why not check out the Harbourside Market, on every Sunday. Here, Wellington fruit and vegetable grocers, as well as local food trucks and artisanal producers, line up to hawk their goods, competing for customers. Make sure you try the Greek Food Truck’s Souvlaki (featured in our Top Meals Under $20). [Photo: Lucy Revill]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 59:30am: Breakfast at Prefab Eatery – Prefab is so popular with Wellingtonians that punters are often lined up out the door. Filled with the aroma of – you guessed it – more roasting coffee (this time, Acme), Prefab deliver delicious snacks and breakfasts, with eats so good they have people coming from all over the city. Try their potato gratin, bratwurst sausage, bacon, poached egg and Hollandaise. [Photo: Lucy Revill]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 610:30am: Wellington Botanical Gardens – Grab an Uber to check out the Wellington Botanic Gardens, zooming past Parliament (aka The Beehive). Take your time and stroll around, looking at the different gardens and stopping to smell the roses in the Lady Norwich Rose Garden. See if you can find the Henry Moore bronze statue hiding in the gardens. After, make your way back to town to Lambton Quay via the old-fashioned cable car. [Photo: Lucy Revill]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 712:30pm: Cheap And Cheerful Lunch – Mouth-watering food at a good price can’t be passed up. Luckily, Wellington has plenty of cheap and cheerful options, as well as gourmet delights. Head for lunch at Fisherman’s Plate, a burger-joint-cum-Vietnamese-restaurant on Bond Street, just 5 minutes from Lambton Quay. While it may not look like much on the outside, you’ll be treated to some of the most delicious spring rolls and pho outside of Vietnam. [Photo: Lucy Revill]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 81:30pm: Visit Wellington City Gallery – Close by is Wellington City Gallery, in the heart of Civic Square right beside the Wellington City Council. It is New Zealand’s only gallery without a permanent collection, meaning that it’s constantly changing the works on show. If you check on their website, you can time your visit to one of their excellent curator or guest talks. Perfect for art lovers and also those who are simply curious about contemporary New Zealand culture. [Photo: Lucy Revill]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 92:30am: Cuba Street & Te Aro Shopping – Next head to Cuba …Cuba Street, that is! Cuba Street is the heart of Wellington, and is full of quirky locals who’ll make you feel right at home. Dip into the vintage stores, explore alleys and check out the legendary bucket fountain. With people from all walks of life rubbing elbows side by side, you can pass the time by people-watching and getting familiar with the city. Get some shopping done as well: Wellington has plenty of unique boutiques showcasing local New Zealand designer fashion and international brands. Check out Wilson Trollope for ladylike rags, Caughley for super-cool curated brands, Good As Gold for hipster heaven streetwear and Hunters & Collectors for retro everything. [Photo: Lucy Revill]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 103:30pm: Discover Leeds Street – Investigate the ever-popular Eva and Leeds Street in Te Aro for a sweet midday pick-me-up. Home of The Wellington Chocolate Factory, Six Barrel Soda Co., Fix & Fogg Peanut Butter and Leeds Street Bakery, there is something for everyone. [Photo: Lucy Revill]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 115:30am: Have A Local Craft Beer – Take a break and head to Golding’s Free Dive Bar or Fortune Favours for a soothing ale. Wellington has a lively craft beer scene, and brewers take their work seriously; the offerings are varied and full of flavour. Just watch how many you imbibe – these beers often have serious levels of alcohol. Look out for Garage Project, Panhead and Fortune Favours beers. [Photo: Lucy Revill]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 126:00pm: Dinner At Loretta – Finish your day with some shared plates at Loretta. With everything from half a chicken through to wood-fired pizza, Loretta is a feast. Personally, I can’t go without one of their Aperol Spritz cocktails and “wet risotto”. Part San Fran-inspired, part Italian trattoria vibes, Loretta is a place you’ll want to linger all evening. [Photo: Lucy Revill]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 13Bonus! If you have the chance, head to Martinborough; the best times to go are from October to March when it’s warm. The area has excellent conditions for growing grapes, and as a result, wineries have popped up everywhere. A personal favourite has to be Poppies, known for its soft and luscious rosé. An easy way to get out is to grab a hybrid Audi from electric hire car company Mevo. Make sure you allocate an entire day to make the most if it. [Photo: Lucy Revill]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 14Before You Go: Read – Katherine Mansfield’s short stories. A Wellington native, Mansfield’s short stories, poetry, letters, journals and reviews made her a central figure in British modernism. Three story collections were published while she was alive and two posthumously. Pay a visit to her birthplace in the suburb of Thorndon. [Photo: Katherine Mansfield’s House, Wikimedia Commons]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 15Before You Go: Watch – Chronesthesia (called Love And Time Travel for an international audience) is an indie movie set all around Wellington, telling the story of a young man who begins to lose his memory and falls in love. From Mount Victoria to Seatoun, this film is a sweet romantic comedy in the vein of About Time that also manages to capture the spirit of the city. Alternatively, if you can’t find it, just rewatch The Lord of The Rings trilogy, much of which was filmed in and around Wellington. Fun fact: Titanic director James Cameron lives in the Wairarapa region, an hour’s drive away.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 16Before You Go: Listen – Fat Freddy’s Drop Based on a True Story album: Affectionately known as Fat Freddy’s, this 7-piece band’s musical style has been characterised as any combination of dub, reggae, soul, jazz and techno, but there are clear leanings towards Aotearoa roots music (contemporary music inspired by Maori and Pacific Islander culture). Members say their biggest influence is their home country and their peers in Wellington’s “small but solid” music scene. Perfect chilled vibes for a hot summer’s day.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Wellington.
Slide Nr 17Lucy Revill is the founder and author of lifestyle blog The Residents, in which she highlights the fascinating people and places that make Wellington one of the world’s best cities. In 2017, The Residents won an Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian Award and was a finalist in New Zealand Social Media Awards. Lucy loves eating and drinking around her hometown of Wellington, where she lives on Oriental Bay. Check out Lucy on Instagram.
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24 Hours In… Wellington.
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