[shakyle2906]

Hi

We intend to go down to Wellington over the weekend for a day or so.

Can anyone recommend a place to stay (reasonoably priced) and what attractions would you recommend ??

It may be one or two nights, not decided at this stage..........

Any advice would be greatly recommended!

Sharon
x

[shakyle2906]

Hi

We intend to go down to Wellington over the weekend for a day or so.

Can anyone recommend a place to stay (reasonoably priced) and what attractions would you recommend ??

It may be one or two nights, not decided at this stage..........

Any advice would be greatly recommended!

Sharon
x

greatfully recd i meant........
sharon

[IanW99]

You could check out this link for some of the main things to visit in Wellington:- Visit Wellington (http://www.wellington.govt.nz/portals/visit.html)

Recommendations would probably be based on what you would be interested in?

I would always recommend Te Papa museum and the Waterfront, the botanic gardens and the Cable Car high on any list for any age group.

A tour of Parliament is good if you are interested in that sort of thing (or if the weather isn't too good), and a trip to the top of Mount Victoria is always worth a look.

Which route are you planning on taking as there are a few good sights to see on the way also.

Ian

[shakyle2906]

You could check out this link for some of the main things to visit in Wellington:- Visit Wellington (http://www.wellington.govt.nz/portals/visit.html)

Recommendations would probably be based on what you would be interested in?

I would always recommend Te Papa museum and the Waterfront, the botanic gardens and the Cable Car high on any list for any age group.

A tour of Parliament is good if you are interested in that sort of thing (or if the weather isn't too good), and a trip to the top of Mount Victoria is always worth a look.

Which route are you planning on taking as there are a few good sights to see on the way also.

Ian


Thanks Ian

We are coming down from Hastings......... unsure what route hubby intends to take. Heard that Mount Bruce is on the way ?

We thought the zoo, cable car, botanic gardens and perhaps Mount Victoria would be good. There would be the 2 of us plus our 5yr old - so something family orientated would be good.

Do you think accomodation will be ok as its coming up to NY ? We intend travelling down on saturday.

Sharon

[IanW99]

Thanks Ian

We are coming down from Hastings......... unsure what route hubby intends to take. Heard that Mount Bruce is on the way ?

We thought the zoo, cable car, botanic gardens and perhaps Mount Victoria would be good. There would be the 2 of us plus our 5yr old - so something family orientated would be good.

Do you think accomodation will be ok as its coming up to NY ? We intend travelling down on saturday.

Sharon

If you are just coming down to visit Wellington, then it may be a good idea to go via SH1 one way and then SH2 back.

The zoo would be good for kids, but it is small and only takes a couple of hours to do (definitely half day max).

For the cable car, recommend go up it and then walk down to the botanic gardens but if too much walking for a 5 year old then do them separately.

Don't discount Te Papa, it is very child orientated with lot's of things for them to do (not like a stuffy museum at all) and it's right next to the waterfront.

Can't help with the accomodation as never needed it in Wellington? What sort of budget are you looking at?

Ian

[jubjub]

Te Papa should be fine for a 5 year old, my friend just took her 2 yr old on a recent visit, and they found quite a bit to amuse her.

[Sam B]

I've just spent a very enjoyable day in Te Papa with my 7 and 11 year old. I would highly recommend it. We are staying at the YHA which is nearby - room with 4 bunks and an ensuite.

[shakyle2906]

If you are just coming down to visit Wellington, then it may be a good idea to go via SH1 one way and then SH2 back.

The zoo would be good for kids, but it is small and only takes a couple of hours to do (definitely half day max).

For the cable car, recommend go up it and then walk down to the botanic gardens but if too much walking for a 5 year old then do them separately.

Don't discount Te Papa, it is very child orientated with lot's of things for them to do (not like a stuffy museum at all) and it's right next to the waterfront.

Can't help with the accomodation as never needed it in Wellington? What sort of budget are you looking at?


Ian


Hi Ian

Thanks for your suggestions and travelling help.

Unsure of charges for accomodation, prob $150 max, but the cheaper the better.

Sharon

[shakyle2906]

I've just spent a very enjoyable day in Te Papa with my 7 and 11 year old. I would highly recommend it. We are staying at the YHA which is nearby - room with 4 bunks and an ensuite.

Thanks Sam!

Would you mind PMing me how much you paid for accom a nd what its like if you dont want to put on forum. Would appreciate it!

Sharon

[IanW99]

If you don't get any better suggestions re: accomodation then would suggest you try the Novotel in Wellington, it is well placed and up to two children can stay in the room with parents for free. They have availability this weekend for $149 (last minute rates) - never used them though, so can't recommend.

Ian

[shakyle2906]

If you don't get any better suggestions re: accomodation then would suggest you try the Novotel in Wellington, it is well placed and up to two children can stay in the room with parents for free. They have availability this weekend for $149 (last minute rates) - never used them though, so can't recommend.

Ian

Thanks Ian
Much appreciated!

Sharon

[Lupin]

Sharon- Te Papa is a MUST DO with kids ... I've a feeling your wee one will hare around and have a blast as it's very hands on and child friendly :) It's also free :)

I'm sure he'd like a trip on the cable car ... we walked back down through the botanical gardens but you can just ride up then down.

Mount Bruce is fantastic- we took our school kids there recently! I'd probably factor it as a good lunch or morning tea stop rather than a whole day though as he's possibly a little young to get a full day's benefit from it.

Fabulous pool with flume, river run etc all indoors in Masterton (easy to find) on your way down too.

Have fun :)

[shakyle2906]

Sharon- Te Papa is a MUST DO with kids ... I've a feeling your wee one will hare around and have a blast as it's very hands on and child friendly :) It's also free :)

I'm sure he'd like a trip on the cable car ... we walked back down through the botanical gardens but you can just ride up then down.

Mount Bruce is fantastic- we took our school kids there recently! I'd probably factor it as a good lunch or morning tea stop rather than a whole day though as he's possibly a little young to get a full day's benefit from it.

Fabulous pool with flume, river run etc all indoors in Masterton (easy to find) on your way down too.

Have fun :)

Thanks Lupin!
Cant wait now.............
Let you know how it goes

Sharon
x

[vixxann]

Hi Sharon
When we were over there we only had a day in Wellington but crammed loads in and absolutely loved the place. Our kids were 13, 11 and 5 when we went. They loved the Te Papa museum but we just didn't have enought time to do it justice - however that also stopped them getting museum overload !!

We went up the cable car (don't miss the little cable car museum at the top) we then strolled down through the botanic gardens - there's a fab playground half way down. We diverted through an old graveyard which was really "cool" apparently! and found a little wooden chapel just behind the beehive. Went accross to the waterfront which is very nice - plus a nice small playground there. All in all really good day and got a good feel for the city although didn't do much on outskirts etc. Cannot help you out with accomodation as we had motorhome.

Have a fab time :D (wish I was there!)
Vicki

[IanW99]

If you are going to Wellington on the SH2, then just after the Rimutakas you could visit the Kaitoke Regional park, this has public BBQs so that you could do lunch there.

This park is where they filmed some of the LOTR and there is also a really good swingbridge there. Would be a good place to have a break from the journey before heading into the city.

See Rivendell (http://www.gw.govt.nz/section416.cfm) for more details.

If you do go on the SH1 on the way back then a short detour on the Paekakariki hill road is worth the trip, see the photo in the following post Paekakariki lookout (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showpost.php?p=145977&postcount=2) that shows the view.

Ian

[sizzlingbadger]

Have a look at www.wotif.com ,they should have some good deals come up.

Frank Kitts park on the Waterfront is great for kids, they have a really 'cool' lighthouse slide. Also Oriental Bay beach would be great for time out. There's the ferry over to Day's Bay and back which is really nice on a blue sky day.

If you travel over the Rimutakas you could take a short detour out to Martinborough for lunch at one of the wineries, there's Puzzlewood in Greytown and also lots of places to stop and eat :) Haven't visited Mount Bruce but it's on the list of things to do in the holidays :nice1

Have a great time :D

[shakyle2906]

If you are going to Wellington on the SH2, then just after the Rimutakas you could visit the Kaitoke Regional park, this has public BBQs so that you could do lunch there.

This park is where they filmed some of the LOTR and there is also a really good swingbridge there. Would be a good place to have a break from the journey before heading into the city.

See Rivendell (http://www.gw.govt.nz/section416.cfm) for more details.

If you do go on the SH1 on the way back then a short detour on the Paekakariki hill road is worth the trip, see the photo in the following post Paekakariki lookout (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showpost.php?p=145977&postcount=2) that shows the view.

Ian


That definetly looks a must! The view is fantastic.
Thanks so much for all your help

Sharon

[shakyle2906]

Hi Sharon
When we were over there we only had a day in Wellington but crammed loads in and absolutely loved the place. Our kids were 13, 11 and 5 when we went. They loved the Te Papa museum but we just didn't have enought time to do it justice - however that also stopped them getting museum overload !!

We went up the cable car (don't miss the little cable car museum at the top) we then strolled down through the botanic gardens - there's a fab playground half way down. We diverted through an old graveyard which was really "cool" apparently! and found a little wooden chapel just behind the beehive. Went accross to the waterfront which is very nice - plus a nice small playground there. All in all really good day and got a good feel for the city although didn't do much on outskirts etc. Cannot help you out with accomodation as we had motorhome.

Have a fab time :D (wish I was there!)
Vicki


Hi Vicki

Just had a look on the museums site, they had a 2min video of what they have to offer - i will definetly look at going there. The way we are going, we will need a week not a weekend!

Sharon

[shakyle2906]

Thanks all for your suggestions.

I think we need a week there not a few days.........

Will let you know what we got up to when we get back.

Sharon
x

[Leccy-Lee]

Sharon

Can also add my praise for a trup to Te Papa, i been there 2-3 times and still not seen everything, and as entry is free you cant fault it.
Stayed at the YHA too, its got to be the cleanest spacious hostel in town, would recommend it.

Are you going back to HB for NYE? As i am heading the opposite way to you to spend New Years up there with Holland and Co :)

[shakyle2906]

Sharon

Can also add my praise for a trup to Te Papa, i been there 2-3 times and still not seen everything, and as entry is free you cant fault it.
Stayed at the YHA too, its got to be the cleanest spacious hostel in town, would recommend it.

Are you going back to HB for NYE? As i am heading the opposite way to you to spend New Years up there with Holland and Co :)


Hi Lee

Have you got any info on YHA ? I can look into availability then. Hoping to travel down tomorrow.

We will prob be back Monday.

Cant wait to go now!

Sharon

[Leccy-Lee]

http://www.yha.co.nz/NZHostelsandTravel/FindaHostel/EastCoastandLowerNorthIsland/Wellington/

:)

[shakyle2906]

We are exhausted!

We left early Saturday morning and travelled 4.5hrs down to Wellington. It was hard going in the heat.

We spent a few hours around the museum saturday and sunday, which was really interesting, had a trip in the cable car and walked through the botanical gardens on sunday, then had look round the shops. Bought some nice xmas decs from Kirkcaldies too!!

We had a stroll aroung the quay last night which was lovely and saw a ship going out.

It was soooo busy there and little one didnt sleep too well, we decided to travel back sunday afternoon.

We got back 1/2hr ago. We had a great time and would love to go back and spend more time but feel this time of year was bit too busy!

Thanks for all your suggestions. We feel we didnt do the place justice!

Sharon

[marcia]

We've just spent the wekend down there too, with my parents. We were down for the stock car racing on Fri and Sat night, but in between did touristy stuff. Cable car, te papa, which is huge, only saw a small part of it, but he kids loved it, the stuffed Albatros amazed me it was sooooooooooooooo huge, had a wing span of over 8 feet!!!!!!!

The boys had a paddle at the beach in Oriental bay which is lovely, the sea in Wellington is so clear and an amazing blue colour even though its a port!

I was amazed at how all the houses are built on the hillside, and even took a photo of a 'Stana stairlift deluxe' (will post later not uploaded them yet!) It was a little electric track, with a carriage, going up the hillside to different houses to take people (and shopping bags!!!) up!! As we drove around the coast road today, we saw a few more as well.

We made it to the zoo at the request of our youngest who is animal mad at the moment, not a huge zoo, but it was great that the keepers are around all over the place showing the kids (and adults) stuff, and doing talks about the animals, we saw a live kiwi, and Emerson thought the chimps were wonderful.

We drove back to Palmerston the 'baclway, and WOW driving over the Rimutakas, amazing stuff, Kev wanted me to drive so he could look around but no way was I driving on those winding roads!!

So we are all exhausted, it didn't help that our motel was right next to the train line and they run all flippin night!!!!!:no