Wellington, Manawatu and Hawkes Bay

Wellington has a diverse range of activities and attractions due to the beautiful beaches and spectacular mountain scenery that is all easily accessible. You can choose from white water rafting, safe swimming, boating, hunting and hiking, golfing, horse trekking and bush walks. Wellington is also the café capital of the world, with over 400 cafés and restaurants. There are many historic places of interest to visit including Te Papa, Southward Car Museum, Museum of Wellington, Old Government Buildings, Old St Paul's Cathedral, Mount Victoria lookout and Katherine Mansfield's birthplace. Wellington has some spectacular gardens, the Botanic Gardens, the Otari Native Botanic Garden and The Lindale Agriculture Centre. A visit to the Zoological Gardens is also a must.

Manawatu is mainly country with Palmerston North being the major town and university city. It is here that you will see many beautiful country gardens that are open to visit. There are also tours available for these gardens. Also don’t miss the Tokomaru Steam Museum and the Palmerston North City Art Gallery. Then you can wind down and take in the spectacular scenery in one of the central city cafés or restaurants.

Hawkes Bay is best known for its many wineries and vineyards, over 30 of these are open to the public for free wine tasting, they also have cafés or restaurants over looking the scenery of the vineyards. Other great attractions that you must visit while in Hawkes Bay are the Art Deco Walk, Marine Parade, Cape Kidnappers Gannet Sanctuary, Hawke's Bay Museum, Splash Planet fun park, Te Mata Peak and the beautiful Country Gardens.