Wellington

Take a one-hour guided tour of the Parliament Buildings to see New Zealand politics at work and to explore the Beehive — one of the most famous buildings in Wellington.

Wellington’s main contemporary art gallery hosts an ever-changing collection of international touring art exhibitions and contemporary local works. There is always something interesting to see, and it's a great place for a rainy day.

The zoo, founded in 1906, is now home to over 500 animals in modern enclosures. Learn more about the animals from the daily zookeeper talks and get up close to pandas and cheetahs with the zoo’s ‘close encounters’ experience.

Hop aboard the cable car for a stunning panorama of Wellington and the Hutt Valley. This charming funicular railway transports visitors between Lambton Quay, the city's bustling shopping hub, and Kelburn — a hilltop suburb with breathtaking views over the city centre. Climbing 120 m (394 ft) across a distance of 612 m (2007 ft), it's quite the ride. The upper terminal not only offers access to the verdant Botanic Gardens but also houses a free museum that delves into the century-long history of the Wellington Cable Car.

Join a full or half day tour by Xplor Tours and visit the locations used during filming of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. On this tour you get the chance to explore locations such as Rivendell, where Frodo recovers from his knife attack, the Anduin River, and the Gardens of Isengard, to name a few. The cherry on top is the tour of Weta workshop, where you can see how props and weaponry is made, as well as sets from Thunderbirds. This is a must for any "Lord of the Rings" fan.

Old St Paul's is an attractive old wooden church and is a fine example of 19th century Gothic Revival architecture. The interior is enhanced by splendid stained glass windows and is one of New Zealand's most important historic places. You can also join a guided tour and listen to interesting stories of the church.

Stroll around and admire beautiful plants and flowers at Wellington Botanic Garden. It has a huge range of plant species from all around the world and the Begonia House covers tropical and seasonal displays of orchids, tuberous begonias, cyclamen, ornamentals and others. If you are hungry or thirsty, head over to the Rose Garden Café where you can have lunch.

Whether you take a walk by the sea or go for a swim, either way this place offers beautiful views and is a lovely place to enjoy your holiday. There are plenty of ice cream parlours nearby if you would like to eat something sweet. It is close to bars, restaurants and too.