Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and the perfect base spot to explore the rest of the country. Located at the base of the North Island, perhaps spend a few days in the city itself, before heading on an epic road trip to Rotorua, Taupo, and beyond. Or, head on the three-hour ferry journey across to the South Island, where Christchurch, Kaikoura, Queenstown, and more await. You certainly have the best of both worlds.
So, whether you’re in town for a few days or a while, the best way to get around is by rental car. Simply head to the Hertz Wellington Downtown to pick up your keys before enjoying your city break.
History, Culture, and More with Hertz
One of the best spots in Wellington is the Te Papa museum. Its full name is Te Papa Tongarewa, which roughly translates to ‘a container of treasures’; the perfect name for such a special and informative museum. Te Papa attracts millions of visitors each year because of its diverse collection of exhibitions, and it has actually been named as one of Lonely Planet’s top 500 places on earth.
Standing at six-storeys high, you’ll easily spend a day exploring everything this museum has to offer. It’s the perfect spot for a rainy day in the city, and the hours will fly by as you get lost in the many collections here. Perhaps head to the Mana Whenua exhibition where you can learn about Māori culture and history, and discover why modern-day New Zealand came to be. Or, head to the ‘Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War’ exhibition, and discover the full impact of New Zealand's efforts in World War I. With each sculpture here being 2.4 times larger than the average human size, it’s an impactful experience that’ll stay in your memory long after you leave.
The Gallipoli exhibition is designed by the Weta Workshop, who are the same masterminds behind many of the props of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ franchise. You can drive to the Weta Workshop itself and enjoy a tour of the workshop, see props and costumes from the movies, and learn about the design process here. Movie fans can also spend time discovering the locations that helped create the popular movie franchise. Perhaps drive to Mount Victoria, which is the Hobbiton Woods, or drive across to the Kaitoke Regional Park, which is the alter-ego to the dreamy Rivendell.
Road Trip with your Rental Car
No visit to a new city is complete without a road trip!
Wellington is in a prime location to either explore the rest of the North Island, or head across to the South Island. For epic mountainous scenes, glacier lakes, and rugged coastline, we recommend braving the three-hour ferry journey across to the South Island, where natural beauty is in abundance.
Of course, the North Island is equally beautiful. Take a drive to Tararua Forest National Park, which is home to some beautiful bushland and epic sights. You can spend the day hiking here before returning to Wellington for a bite to eat and a good night’s sleep.
There is always something going on in Wellington too, so make sure to check the city event calendar before holidaying here. With plenty of activities, sights, and culture to enjoy, you’ll always have a good time visiting the capital of New Zealand. Make sure to drop into Hertz Wellington Downtown when you first arrive to pick up your rental car so that you can make the most of your time here.
