If you're looking for a unique place that's tucked away from the city with unbeatable and breathtaking views, stop reading and book the Tree House! We wish we could have spent an entire week in this amazing little place. Built up on a secluded hillside overlooking York Bay and Days Bay and surrounded by bush filled with New Zealand's beautiful birds, the tree house is equipped with everything you need for a lovely getaway. We particularly enjoyed the little wood fireplace crackling behind us as we watched the sunset over the water each night. We were happy to meet Peter, the owner and builder, just as we arrived and he gave us a great tip that really added to our trip. If you're planning to go into Wellington, drive 5 minutes down the road to the Days Bay Wharf where you can park for free and take the 20-minute East by West Ferry across to the city (times and fares online). It was a beautiful trip across and the drop off is right in the city center - easy to walk around or catch a bus or tour. We're so thankful we decided to do that rather than navigate traffic and parking for the day! Right in Days Bay by the ferry is a small cafe - Days Bay Pavilion - where we got great pizza and ice cream (two nights in a row). They also have coffee and other menu items as well. When we got back from a long day of touring, we took our take-away pizza and sat on the beach, watching local kids jump off the pier into the water. We had a great overall experience here and hope to come back some day!
Some highlights from our time in Wellington - driving or doing some of the walking tracks up Mount Victoria where quite a few scenes from the Lord of the Rings were filmed ("Hobbiton woods"), having coffee outside down by Queens Wharf, and doing a tour of the Weta Cave/workshop.