Three weeks in New Zealand - 4/12 - 5/4/2024

Day 9-Wellington-4/19/2024

Today we are driving from Turangi to Wellington, located at the southern tip of the North Island of New Zealand.  The drive is about 200 miles and took us about 4 hours.

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand

We took State Highway 1 and in the distance is Tongariro National park.

We get some stunning views of three iconic volcanic mountains that dominate the Central Plateau of New Zealand's North Island.

The iconic volcanic Mountains ahead of us.

Really beautiful drive.

After passing through Tongariro National Park and the Desert Road, the landscape changes dramatically.

Passing through the volcanic plateau toward Wellington.

Once you leave the rugged volcanic terrain of the Central Plateau, you enter a broad expanse of flatter land and rolling countryside.

Desert Road is barren, volcanic, and tussock-covered plains.

 Located just south of the Desert Road, this area is known for its pastoral farmland, with rolling hills, rivers, and green fields.

It is winter and you can see that the trees are getting bare,

As we approach Wellington, the terrain becomes hillier again

Eventually, we drove through valleys and coastal hills into Wellington, which is surrounded by steep hills and harbors.

We are now entering the harbor in Wellington.

We are staying in Downtown Wellington.  We checked in our hotel and we are now exploring the city.

A historic building in Te Aro, an inner city suburb of Wellington.

Wellington waterfront

View from the other side of the Marina

Stacks of Shipping containers on the port of Wellington

Chaffers Marina

The yachts along the pier are part of Chaffers Marina, a premier floating marina situated in the heart of Wellington's waterfront. Located adjacent to Te Papa Tongarewa (the Museum of New Zealand) and near Waitangi Park.

Established in 1993, Chaffers Marina provides 185 berths accommodating vessels up to 65 ft. in length.

You can see part of the Wellington sign on the left (red/green/Blue sign).

The sign is a large, sculptural installation designed to be a fun and shareable photo opportunity. It stands about 7.2 ft. high and 29 ft. wide . Commissioned by WellingtonNZ, it was created to foster a sense of belonging and to showcase the capital city to the world through social media.

The iconic “Solace in the Wind” sculpture, often affectionately called “The Naked Man”, created by British-born artist Max Patté. It stands on Wellington’s waterfront, near the WELLINGTON sign and Te Papa museum, and has become one of the city’s most photographed public artworks.

Overview of the Marina

View of the Marina

The marina is attached to Clyde Quay Wharf, formerly known as the Overseas Passenger Terminal, and is protected by a floating breakwater.

Clyde Quay Wharf is central location makes it a popular choice for a stroll, offering easy access to cafes, restaurants, bars, museums, art galleries, banking, and shopping.

The houses perched on the hillside next to Chaffers Marina are located on Mount Victoria, a prominent residential area in Wellington. This neighborhood is renowned for its charming, often colorful homes that ascend the slopes, offering panoramic views of the harbor and cityscape.

NEXT... Dinner at Charley Noble