Cuba Street Quarter

New Zealand's capital lies tightly squeezed between hills and the natural harbor Te Whanganui-a-Tara at the southern tip of the North Island. The center is compact and you can reach most destinations on foot: Te Papa on the waterfront promenade, the cafés and bars around Cuba Street, Parliament in Thorndon and the Cable Car up to the Botanic Garden.

Mount Victoria rises about 196 meters above the city center. From the lookout, you'll see the city, harbor, airport and, when clear, across the Cook Strait. Forest trails lead up from Oriental Bay.

The waterfront promenade stretches from Queens Wharf at the station end to Oriental Bay. Along the way, you'll find Te Papa, the Wellington Museum, sculptures, and wharves where you can sit in the sun with locals on a fine day.

The region at the southern tip of the North Island stretches from the capital through the Hutt Valley and the Kāpiti Coast to the Wairarapa with its wineries. For most travellers, Wellington is the hub between the North and South Islands.

The Marlborough Sounds are a network of sunken river valleys at the northern tip of the South Island. Forested hills descend into tranquil sea arms, the largest being Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru, and Pelorus Sound. Many coves are only accessible by boat.Picton and Havelock are the starting points. From there, water taxis, mail boats, and kayak tours depart, while the Queen Charlotte Track runs along the ridge lines between the Sounds.