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The most southerly capital in the world, Wellington is an engaging metropolis of splendour.

Before turning your attention to the stunning landscapes which surround the city, cast your gaze to the city’s leisurely pleasures. Wellington stuffs a whole load of cafes, innovative eateries and buzzing nightclubs into a compact area. With its cool cultural appeal and divine natural setting, it's clear why the city has attracted big name filmmakers.

For the adventurer, an exquisite natural playground is just a short drive from the city. Glacial mountains, dense forests and tranquil lakes are unmissable sights on your Wellington road trip.

Wedged around the eponymous Harbour and Franklin Bay, Wellington is a compact city, located on the southernmost section of New Zealand's North Island. It serves as the country's capital city as well as its cultural hub. Book your car rental in Wellington with easyCar and afford yourself an experience that will take you from beach to verdant hillsides and on to charming urban developments in a flash.

Things to do

Cuba Street is Wellington's bohemian nucleus, abundant in quirky cafés, bars and restaurants, and as a point of convergence for New Zealand's creatives, the area exudes a coolness that you'd have to see to believe. Wellington waterfront is popular with cyclists, skaters,  paddle boaters and kayakers. Other activities include taking a heritage walk or an upmarket meal at one of the waterside restaurants. Wellington's Beehive, site of Parliament, is iconic for its unique aesthetics. It was designed by British architect Sir Basil Spence between 1964 and 1979, and is surrounded by some beautiful gardens that definitely warrant a visit.

Wellington Cable Car is a wonderfully scenic mode of arriving at the Kelburn Lookout. As you chug up the hill from the waterfront, your eyes will be filled with delightful views, and once you arrive at the top, there are expansive panoramas over Wellington and the surrounding area that cannot be matched. There's a small museum and shop at the summit too. The Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa) is also located in Wellington, which provides an interactive retrospective into the area's natural history, and is great for kids.

Zealandia, an urban eco-sanctuary, is where you'll find many of New Zealand's endemic birds, such as the Kiwi and the Tui. Alternatively, Wellington Zoo, the first of its kind in New Zealand, houses over 100 species of critters from both New Zealand and the rest of the world on a 13-hectare estate. Take your rental car 15 minutes from downtown Wellington to Princess Bay. The sandy cove is blessed with crystalline waters, and affords views of South Island on a good day. It's the perfect spot for swimming or a beachside picnic.

Explore

An hour's drive by car, the Wairarapa is famed for its vineyards and wine all ready for the tasting. An excellent  choice for a day excursion, Martinborough is renowned for Pinot Noir; the town itself has a quaint vibe, with lots of independent B&Bs and cafés.

About an hour's drive north, the Kapiti Coast is an abundance of sweeping coastlines and beaches and azure waters. Nature lovers can ferry on down to Kapiti Island which masses of endangered birds, such as the Little Spotted Kiwi, call home. Other attractions include the Wellington Tramway Museum, The Southward Car Museum, one of the most prolific in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Paraparaumu Golf Course.