SOUTHERN PART OF NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

WELLINGTON

The capital city of New Zealand.

Renowned for its winds, largely due to its geographical situation in the Roaring Forties, combined with the steep-to topography on Cook Strait.

The Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa. Apparently NZ's most visited institution, entry is free, though most special exhibitions come with an admission fee. Open 10am to 5pm daily.

There is a very good boutique brewery adjacent to Te Papa and there are a number of good hotels within a short walk.

A short walk from Te Papa around the waterfront (on Queens Wharf) is the Museum of Wellington (MoW), formerly the Wellington Maritime Museum. For maritime history buffs this museum is now something of a disappointment as the bulk of its maritime collection is in storage; however the maritime element is still there and the audio-visual of the WAHINE disaster (1968) is particularly evocative.

There is a good small art gallery adjacent to MoW.

On Queens Wharf, under the care of MoW, is the preservation display of the INCONSTANT, or PLIMMERS ARK. Details. More remains of the vessel can be seen under the old Bank of New Zealand building on Lambton Quay.

The cable car is a popular attraction and there is a small museum at the top of the run. The planetarium is also close by and is worth a visit.

The seat of Parliament, the Beehive, is often open to visitors.

WAIRARAPA
The principal town in the Wairarapa is Masterton, with Greytown and Carterton as major settlements.     

When visiting the Wairarapa, a trip to the Martinborough wine producing area is a must for those who enjoy NZ wine. Our favourite vineyard is the Alana Estate. They have even provided their wines to Fortnum and Mason's we understand! This makes an excellent lunch stop and is especially pleasant on a summers day. Indulge yourself! Close to the Alana Estate is Hauiti Lavender, a small boutique lavender farm where hand-made lavender products can be purchased.

There are a surprising number of small museums in the region and train enthusiasts should certainly visit the Fell engine museum at Featherston.

more information about the Wairarapa

NEW PLYMOUTH (TARANAKI)

The district around New Plymouth offers a number of attractions, not forgetting the mountain (Mt Egmont or Mt Taranaki) itself.

Mt Egmont National Park offers walks and tramps of various kinds and levels, and skiing in season.

In New Plymouth itself, a walk along the promenade is enjoyable. This boardwalk leads to/starts from the museum PUKE ARIKI, a modern museum.

Rhododendron fanciers will enjoy the gardens just outside New Plymouth when the flowers are in bloom and a festival is held each year. WOMAD (World of Music and Dance) is an annual music festival.

INGLEWOOD, a town a short distance from New PLymouth, see the Fun-Ho National Toy museum. These small cast-metal toys were popular in NZ and the museum demonstrates the wide range available and also the manufacturing techniques. Inglewood railway station is New Zealand's oldest.

STRATFORD's main claim to fame is the glockenspeil although there are a number of small attractions. The glockenspeil plays at set times; it is worth watching if you happen to be passing at a show time, but probably not worth making a special visit for!

TAWHITI Museum, in an old dairy factory just outside HAWERA, is a must if you want to find out something of the local history, especially the Maori history of the district. One man's enthusiasm and skills are largely behind this museum which has an international reputation. The Tawhiti Bush Railway runs at the museum on the first Sunday of each month, every Sunday during school holidays, and on most public holidays.

South of New Plymouth, on the coastal highway towards Wellington, a signposted road leads to Cape Egmont lighthouse. The light is close to the road, though one cannot enter the lighthouse itself.

More information about the Taranaki Region

Te Papa

Mount Taranaki

Cape Egmont Light