Wellington Regional Stadium is venue for seven matches in Rugby World Cup 2011, including two of the quarterfinals. For six weeks in September and October 2011, New Zealand’s premier multi-purpose stadium is all about rugby union, with games involving USA, Fiji, Wales, Tonga, France and Canada, as well as the big three tri-nations teams - South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. When looking for things to do away from the game, visitors are spoilt for choice in the city given special mention when media giant CNN voted New Zealand as the world’s second top destination for 2011.
Wellington, Capital City
As the centre of New Zealand government since 1865, Wellington is home for many institutions of national significance. A popular place with visitors is Parliament Buildings itself, its adjoining ‘Beehive’ and the General Assembly Library. There are scheduled tours of Parliament for those interested in more than just a photograph taken in the well-manicured grounds. Nearby is the Government Buildings, former administrative heart of the nation, built in 1876, still one of the world’s largest wooden buildings and now beautifully restored to its original glory.
Wellington is also the home of the National Library, Archives New Zealand, the National War Memorial and Te Papa Tongarewa, the Museum of New Zealand. Te Papa is the primary showpiece for the cultural and natural history of New Zealand, six floors of collections and exhibits that truly illustrate the uniqueness that is New Zealand. Te Papa can be explored independently, or for a more in-depth appreciation of its collection, one of its regular guided tours may be preferred.
A City Living on the Edge
Built on the narrow foreshore that fringes its beautiful natural harbour, early Wellington suffered the effects of New Zealand’s biggest earthquake in recorded history when the Wairarapa Fault ruptured in 1855. For all the damage it caused the small settlement at the time, the earthquake gave Wellington new land on which to build. With later reclamations, the city’s waterfront is now some distance from the cliffs that once plunged onto it, and has become a public space for all to enjoy. For an appreciation of the city’s colonial past and its connection with things maritime, visit the Museum of Wellington City and Sea on the waterfront.
To experience first hand the striking local topography, take a ride on Wellington’s iconic cable car. Constructed in 1901/02 to provide residents of the new hill suburbs with access to the commercial centre, the cable car and it associated museum remain a top tourist drawcard. After the uphill journey from Lambton Quay, explore the Cable Car Museum and enjoy the view of the harbour and its famous Matiu/Somes Island before the return trip. Or perhaps walk back to town through the Botanical Gardens, stopping off at the Carter Observatory or the Lady Norwood Rose Garden on the way.
Visiting the Greater Wellington Region
North of Wellington the Hutt Valley provides precious flat land that has allowed the region’s population to expand. It was in fact on the northern shores of the harbour that the first immigrants came ashore. Just beyond Petone Beach and the quaint cottages that identify Wellington’s first settlement, called initially Britannia, lies the heritage precinct of Jackson Street, lined with renovated buildings of a former time accommodating some of the region’s best bars and restaurants.
There are only two options for departing Wellington by road. SH1 takes the visitor northward through the adjoining city of Porirua, to the Kapiti Coast and its expansive beaches. Beyond the Hutt Valley on SH2 and across the Rimutaka Ranges lies rural Wairarapa, with a climate that sets it apart from Wellington, and where fine wines are now produced on land once exclusively used for pastoral farming. To the south lies Cook Strait, across which the inter-island ferries ply the route of one of the world’s great short sea crossings.
Walking tracks abound in the Wellington region. There is a walk for everyone’s level of fitness and experience, from pleasant strolls down designated trails through city streets to riverbank walks to invigorating treks along the rugged south coast to mountain hikes with overnight facilities.
Whether pursuing culture, history and the arts, seeking international quality wining, dining or entertainment, or wishing to sample the great Kiwi outdoors, Wellington has something to offer everyone visiting New Zealand for RWC 2011. Not only that, but its central location makes Wellington the ideal base for travelling to other parts of the country.
Other New Zealand RWC 2011 Host Cities
Brian Cross - Brian is a feelance writer specialising in content for the corporate sector, based in Wellington, New Zealand.
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