This route takes you along the highlights and through the immediate vicinity of the capital of New Zealand. It is often thought that Auckland is the capital, but that is the business center and largest city in the country. Wellington has a lot to offer in terms of nature and culture. You can easily enjoy yourself there for a few days if you would like to see and visit everything. But if you only have 1 day, this route is more than suitable for seeing the city and its surroundings.

The route starts at the National Museum Te Papa where the route also ends. You follow the road along the harbor to the east, Evans Bay Parade. After 3 km, turn sharp right and go up the hill between the buildings. The road twists and turns with a number of hairpin bends up to the Mount Victoria Lookout. At this vantage point you have a 360 degree view of Wellington, the bays, the airport and the suburbs built in the hills. It is certainly worthwhile to stop here and enjoy the view extensively. Then you continue the route through the park landscaped on the hill. At the end you descend again to the coastal road and drive past the airport to the peninsula. Just after passing the airport you will drive past Windy Wellington Sign, the large letters that you also see in the photo above this story. Wellington's nickname is Windy Wellington. We know from our own experience that this nickname is very well chosen, because the wind almost always blows here and sometimes very hard. Behind the museum Te Papa is also a bronze statue called Solace in the Wind, a man leaning against the wind.

You have now arrived on the Wellington peninsula. The route continues north around the peninsula. At the northernmost point at the lighthouse is a parking lot from which you have a nice view of the bay and Wellington. Here you can also see the ferries from the South Island frequently passing by. If you are lucky you can also see dolphins swimming here. From the most northerly point the route continues south on the coast road. There are options for a coffee stop at several places. In the route there is one marked on the peninsula where we ourselves had a wonderful time with a view of the bay. The remains of a fort and WWII bunkers can still be seen on the south coast at Breaker Bay. At Moa Point there is another viewpoint and you can also take a short walk towards Hue Te Taka Peninsula. The route continues past the airport and along Lyall Bay to Te Raekaihua. Here's another lookout that requires you to walk up the hill from the parking lot.

A little further you drive at the roundabout past a propeller of a former WWII ship. The ship itself has sunk and serves as a base for a coral reef and as a diving location. At Island Bay you will pass an education center and sea aquarium.
Then you keep following the coast road until Owhiro Bay Car Park. Here it is certainly worthwhile to park and take a walk along the coast. Whales and even Killer Whales are regularly spotted here. The walking path itself is nice and rough and offers beautiful views. The route then goes back into the city. Wellington is built on a number of hills and you notice that only too well on this road. You drive through the residential areas to Zealandia.

Zealandia is a so-called eco sanctuary, a fully protected and enclosed nature reserve. The high fence has been specially developed to keep other animals such as rats, cats and other predators out of the area. As a result, they have succeeded in reintroducing 18 animal species that used to belong to New Zealand but are now almost extinct. This was brought by (predatory) animals from England and other emigration countries that killed the native animal species such as various bird species. They are now working all over New Zealand to exterminate the exotic animal species with traps and poison. This has already been carried out successfully on various islands and it is seen that various bird species return and expand in numbers after they have been released. In Zeelandia you can walk around, with or without a guide, and with a little luck you can see special animal and bird species. A round can easily take an hour and you can also enjoy a great lunch here.

From Zealandia you drive through the hills towards the west coast to the town of Makara Beach where you have a beautiful view of the ocean. The route continues through the Wellington hills north to Porirua Harbor, an inland sea with an inlet just a few hundred meters wide. The inland sea includes 2 arms, each about 3 kilometers long. The unique Pauatahanui wetlands can also be found at the northern arm. Continuing east you will pass the Hutt River and the Silver Stream Railway Museum where you can view several old trains. The last part of the route takes you back to the center of Wellington, but first you pass the Botanic Garden. If you find this interesting, you can also walk through it and see a lot of special trees and plants. The route continues to the harbor and then back to the Te Papa museum, the end point of this route.

This museum is New Zealand's national museum and houses the history of the country. Much is about Maori culture, but immigration from Europe is also portrayed. There is also some modern art to see. If you still have time to enjoy the harbor area, this is the vibrant heart of the city with many bars and restaurants. There is a lot to do, especially during the weekend, during the week it is quieter, because New Zealanders also have to work. If you want to eat out in the evening, you can also do so in the harbor, but also in the city center there are a number of streets with almost only restaurants and clubs. There are various hotels in every price range to stay overnight. We ourselves spent the night in Ohtel, a fine and modern hotel with beautiful rooms.