Top Reasons to Go to Wellington and the Wairarapa

Arts and Culture: The national symphony, ballet, and opera are headquartered here. And the biennial New Zealand International Arts Festival celebrates an extensive program of drama, music, dance, and other arts events.

A Wealth of Wineries: Spend a day or two (or three) wine tasting your way through the Wairarapa, home to more than 30 vineyards.

Eclectic Cuisine: The great variety of Wellington's restaurants allows you to sample foods from dozens of cuisines, while also serving plenty of down-to-earth Kiwi fare.

The Waterfront: Wandering along the Wellington waterfront is one of the most pleasurable ways to spend a day. You can visit (for free!) Te Papa Tongarewa, one of the country's best museums, and the Museum of City and Sea. Or you can walk to Oriental Bay, where you can join the local residents jogging, swimming, riding a bike, or people-watching.