With its compact size, creative spirit, world-class coffee and progressive craft beer scene, it’s easy to see why Lonely Planet named Wellington the “coolest little capital in the world.” These local characters are as cool as the city they call home, so you know their insider tips are worth noting.
Peter Lowry from Hawthorn Lounge
Originally from Belfast, Peter is well-known in his adopted home as the brains behind the bar at
Hawthorn, one of Wellington’s top nightspots. Manager for the last five years, Peter says his team has really made its mark in the town, achieving a balance of critical praise and happy regulars.
Insider Tips
Wellington on a Plate, held each August, is the most exciting, inventive and accessible food festival around. It’s definitely a must-do. The whole city gets involved, with bars and restaurants across Wellington putting on special menus, events and deals for two weeks.
In a city that has extraordinarily high standards for food,
Ortega Fish Shack remains my favourite place for dinner. If the tables are all booked, sit at the bar with Rory because he’ll make you a great drink and bring the food to you. On the way to your accommodation, stop by
C.G.R. Merchants for a quick gin or rum infusion.
Anna Guenther from PledgeMe
Anna is CEO – or “Chief Bubble Blower” – of the crowdfunding website
PledgeMe, which she founded while completing her masters study. With over 8 million NZD raised over the last three years, Anna is a firm believer that crowdfunding will change the world.
Insider Tips
Slam poetry! Head along to Poetry in Motion (on the first Wednesday of every month) at
Meow on Edward Street to hear up-and-coming Wellington poets. One member of the PledgeMe team, Jessie, just won the regional championships – and even our chairman is into the scene now.
Edward Street, an alley behind a row of central Wellington shops, is home to quirky bars Meow and
Little Beer Quarter. Nearby,
Good as Gold is a New Zealand streetwear fashion mainstay.
Nic Rapp from Flight Coffee
Nic is a national champion coffee brewer based at
Flight Coffee – one of Wellington’s 18 coffee roasting houses.
Insider Tips
Leeds Street, an alleyway off Dixon Street, is one of my favourite spots in the city. It has a whole lot going on – great beers and coffee, a fantastic bakery, the best pizza in town (
Pizza Pomodoro) and the famous
Wellington Chocolate Factory.
If it’s sunny, head to the Rogue and Vagabond on Garrett Street. They roll out beanbags on the grass outside the bar, making it the perfect spot for local craft beers and burgers in the sun.
[url=http://rogueandvagabond.co.nz/]http://rogueandvagabond.co.nz/[/url]
During the five-minute walk from
Leeds Street Bakery to Flight Coffee Hangar on Dixon Street, you’ll pass a collection of Wellington’s coolest small businesses. In addition to the bakery, down Leeds Street and the connecting Hannah’s Factory Laneway, you’ll find
Red Rabbit Coffee Co.,
Wellington Chocolate Factory, peanut butter makers
Fix and Fogg, and
Six Barrel Soda Co. Talk about spoiled for choice.
Daisy Hall from Weta Workshop
Daisy is a special effects technician and tour guide at
Weta Workshop, Wellington’s world-renowned special effects company. As well as working in the costume department, Daisy also has experience bossing Orcs around, as the Orc Army coordinator on the set of The Hobbit.
Insider Tips
My fiancé and I love a little Japanese place called
Arashi on Courtenay Place. The best thing on the menu is the Arashi Roll, which we order with a little hot sake. If you’re feeling extravagant afterwards, head around the corner to Strawberry Fare for the best desserts in town.
Every visitor needs to visit the two exhibitions marking the 100th anniversary of World War I: The Scale of Our War, at
Te Papa (New Zealand’s national museum), and The Great War, at the Dominion Museum. The
exhibitions capture the lives of New Zealanders who fought in World War I, in heart-breaking detail. The craftsmanship and attention to detail that has gone into the exhibitions is incredible. They are a must-see.
Cuba Street is at the heart of Wellington’s alternative and edgy coolness. It’s just as popular with families playing at the bucket fountain as with students hunting for a cheap and tasty meal. Lined with top restaurants, boutique shops, inexpensive eats and alleyways,
Cuba Street has something cool in store for everyone.
The Concierge – Jason Eade from InterContinental Wellington
Jason Eade, InterContinental Wellington’s Chief Concierge, was recently named the joint top concierge across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific at the 2015 Hotel Management Awards. It’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about exploring
Wellington.
Insider Tips
For golfers, head to one of the 20-odd courses within an hour’s drive of central
Wellington. We’re blessed with many great courses – from links to beautiful, tree-lined fairways. Most clubs welcome visitors at very reasonable rates, so I highly recommend checking them out.
Wellington is known as the walking city, much to the delight of our international visitors. I tell them to load up with an excellent Wellington coffee and take a short walk to the
Cable Car, stopping at the top of the
Botanic Garden to look out over the city and harbour. From there, it’s a quick trot to
Lady Norwood Rose Garden, the Beehive and
Wellington’s waterfront.
For more information on New Zealand or to create your unique adventure, please visit:
www.NewZealand.com and check out the “Wishlist” handy vacation planner.
