[shakyle2906]

Hi

As i mentioned in previous post, my sister and brother in law come over in 6 weeks.

We are only able to take a week and a bit off which leaves them with a week on their own, which they dont mind.

I have suggested they take a trip down to Wellington, as we cant see us getting down there in our time off, and colleagues in work suggested the Naked Bus (!!) which after looking, they can get a return journey for just $24 if i book pretty soon for them.

I know a few of you have stayed in a Backpackers down there - can you recommend one that is fairly central, I do recall one by the Museum when we were down there Christmas time ??????????

Also, can you recommend some sights for them to see, they will be on foot or have to rely on a bus

We had a great time at the Museum, Cable Cars, Botanical Gardens - anything else you suggest that they could access easily ??

Again, thanks for your suggestions.

Sharon
x

[britchik]

The Cambridge Hotel has a Backpackers
me and Partner always stay there when we go to Welly.
Is right on top of Courtenay Place so they will be right in the middle of town.
In our opinion is the best Backpackers you will find, always clean and tidy with helpful staff.
Its about $20 per night per person I think ?

Might pay to look up their website .

[Sam B]

We usually stay at the YHA, which is near the museum, and very good.

[DMcG]

Wellington is a fairly compact city and you can see a lot of it on foot.

I'd definately recommend Te Papa - it's NZs showcase museum.

Dougie

[IanW99]

Viewing the city from the Top of Mount Victoria is always good and a nice walk up from Oriental Bay if you are reasonably fit.

As others have said Te Papa is a must, also check out a tour of Parliament.

Ian

[Wonderbob]

I know a few of you have stayed in a Backpackers down there - can you recommend one that is fairly central, I do recall one by the Museum when we were down there Christmas time ??????????

Also, can you recommend some sights for them to see, they will be on foot or have to rely on a bus




Wellywood Backpackers on Tory St is excellent as well, and also central. The local toursim site is a good one to browse for ideas. There is heaps to do in Welly................http://www.wellingtonnz.com/

cheers, Bob

[ellenmelon]

the YHA in the middle of town recently won an award. its pretty good. ive not stayed there but my partner and my aunties also stayed there.

getting the ferry over to eastbourne (from queens wharf) is my newly discovered thing (though ive only ever driven round 'cause its worked out that way). eastbourne is really nice.

[JayBee]

We've also stayed at the YHA - book ahead and have a double with ensuite. It was on a par with a Travelodge room.
The kitchen areas do get a bit busy but it's all part of the fun!!!
We walked all over Wellington from there.

[Potato]

Apparently there's not many good BBH's in Wellington City. I always stayed outside- in Plimmerton and Paekakariki but these are not convenient for the city.
One that was recommended to me many times was World Wide Backpackers.

[Flo jo]

Depending on what they like to do there is the following:

Visit Ferks kayaks who have an indoor climbing wall & you can hire Kayaks to go round the harbour - lots of fun. If you look on their website because they also do trips out by kayak with a guide.
If they like walking you can do the city to sea walkway (12km takes approx 4 hours). maps can be picked up at the i-site but its well-signposted. You walk one way & get the No1 bus back. Lots to see.
The zoo -always a good day out & now the giraffe enclosure is open & you can feed the giraffes up close on a veranda with no fence separating you. Good for all ages. I went with my 3 year old but all the adults were having a whale of a time.
If they like mountain biking you can get the bus to Karori & hire mountain bikes from Mud Cycles & go to Makara cycling park. Very popular with the healthy people around here
They could hire the Enormous crocodile at CLyde Quay Wharf - a way to view Wellington if you don't want to walk
Depending on weather take the Days bay ferry over & visit Eastbourne or Petone & Matui-Somes Island
And of course there is also the shopping (tell them to bring an empty credit card as its a bit pricey)
As for food if they want to push the boat out & like seafood then head to Shed 5 for lunch or dinner (lovely sea views)
Make lots of detours to all the coffee shops en route. Revive on Woodward Street is fab & if they want to taste Wellintons best brownies then head to Pandoro Panetteria on the same street
Chows do a great lunchtime special of a long plate & miso soup & rice for $12 Mon-Fri, plus on Wednesdays you can get 2 cocktails for the price of 1. Yummy!!
Make sure they visit cuba mall just for the experience (en route to Te Papa) & there is a nice place to eat up there called Scopa with big screen tv & nice Italian food in a relaxed environment.

Hope that helps & if there is anything they like doing in particular then I can always name other things to do.

[b&k]

The YHA (http://www.yha.co.nz/NZHostelsandTravel/FindaHostel/EastCoastandLowerNorthIsland/Wellington/) is the best hostel in NZ and I cannot rate it highly enough - even my MIL liked it.

The best other two in the centre are Base (http://www.basebackpackers.com/wellington.htm) and Wellywood Backpackers (http://wellywoodbackpackers.co.nz/) (formerly known as wildlife house, hence the zebra paint job but don't let that put you off).