An insider’s guide to Wellington, New Zealand

EAT

Thunderbird Cafe is my go-to for a cuppa and delicious breakfast as it serves the best flat white coffee with coconut milk. Capital Markets, which consists of over 30 stalls selling great Asian street food, carries my favourite lemongrass and chilli chicken on rice from Vietnamese stall Where’s Charlie. Charley Noble Eatery & Bar is also a must-try – its fi re-grilled cauliflower steak covered in currant salsa with almond cream and a side of potatoes cooked in duck fat goes down extremely well with a glass of FROMM Rosé from Marlborough.

DRINK

Dirty Little Secret is a small rooftop bar that’s perfect for a great night with a scenic view of the Wellington cityscape. However, my favourite has got to be Bangalore Polo Club. My fix is The Deadeye which comes with a coconut popsicle in it. You can choose to sip on cocktails in the sunny indoor garden or dine in a more private VIP-style booth at the back of the restaurant.

EXPLORE

For an interactive history lesson, head over to Wellington Museum, which is housed in a gorgeous 1892 heritage building. If you are an outdoors person, I recommend taking a ferry from Wellington Harbour to Matiu/Somes Island. It’s rich in both Maori and European history and has plenty of native birds and plants. Alternatively, head to Days Bay, where you will find restaurants, shops, art galleries and a stunner of a beach. Those with families should also cruise out to Lower Hutt for a fun day at Avalon Park. There’s a water play area and a small train that takes you around the park, plus plenty of space to enjoy a picnic lunch.

Tips

Wellington’s CBD is rather compact, so walking up and down the slopes is an option. Otherwise, taking buses or booking a ride through the Uber app works for getting around. If you are venturing outside of the CBD, I suggest taking one of the Metlink trains.