The hilly city of Wellington enjoys all the benefits of being New Zealand's capital city. Set next to a beautiful harbor, Wellington offers an outstanding cultural scene. You'll find the newly-opened National Museum and the National Art Gallery, as well as New Zealand's national companies of symphony orchestra and ballet.
Several theatres call Wellington home as well.
The lovely bay serves as a focal point to the bustling waterfront. Wellington's many pubs offer great venues for local music, and loads of ethnic restaurants make for exotic eating. You can head north to Lake Taupo or Rotorua, where you'll find mud pools, geysers and hot springs. Or take a three-hour ferry ride across Cook Strait, between the North and South Islands. At the top of the South Island are some amazing vineyards, as well as the Abel Tasman National Park.