Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wellington on a Plate
(
www.wellingtononaplate.com
)
Lip-smacking program of gastronomic events, and bargains
aplenty at restaurants around the city. Held in August.
FOOD
World of WearableArt
(
www.worldofwearableart.com
)
A two-week run in September of the spectacular nightly extra-
vaganza of amazing garments. Tickets are hot property.
FASHION
Toast Martinborough
(
www.toastmartinborough.co.nz
)
A day of hedonism around the Martinborough vineyards. Tickets
= hot cakes. Held in November.
FOOD & DRINK
DON'T MISS
TREASURES OF TE PAPA
Te Papa
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.tepapa.govt.nz
;
55 Cable St;
10am-6pm Fri-Wed, to 9pm Thu)
MAP
is the city's 'must-see' attraction, and for reasons well beyond the fact that it's NZ's national mu-
seum. It's highly interactive, fun and full of surprises.
Aptly, 'Te Papa Tongarewa' loosely translates as 'treasure box'. The riches inside include an amazing collec-
tion of Maori artefacts and the museum's own colourful
marae
(meeting house); natural history and environment
exhibitions; Pacific and NZ history galleries; Nga Toi/Arts Te Papa (the national art collection, see
www.arts.tepapa.govt.nz
)
, and hands-on 'discovery centres' for children. Expect impressive gallery spaces and
plenty of high-tech twists. Big-name, temporary exhibitions incur an admission fee, although general admission is
free.
You could spend a day exploring Te Papa's six floors but still not see it all. To cut to the chase, head to the in-
formation desk on level two and collect a map. For exhibition highlights and to get your bearings, the one-hour
'Introducing Te Papa' tour ($14) is a good idea; tours leave from the info desk at 10.15am, noon and 2pm daily in
winter, more frequently in summer. Two cafes and two gift shops complete the Te Papa experience, one which
could well take a couple of visits.
Sleeping
Wellington accommodation is generally more expensive than in regional areas. Standards
are reasonably high, and there are plenty of options right in or within easy walking dis-
tance of the city centre. One hassle is the lack of parking, so it will pay to ask in advance
about options if you have your own wheels.
Wellington's budget accommodation largely takes the form of multistorey hostel mega-
liths. There's no 'motel alley' in Wellington, but motels are scattered around the city
