34 November 2014, Travel DigesT

The next year is set to attract an influx

of visitors to Wellington with exciting

developments on the drawing board.

Extending Wellington Airport’s runway

is expected to deliver up to $1.75 billion in

direct economic benefits to New Zealand’s

economy by 2060 and slash international

travelling time by up to a third. Jetstar will

also fly there three times a week from the

Gold Coast starting mid-December, which is

another positive development. To top it off,

the All Blacks visit Wellington in February as

part of the 2015 Sevens World Series, where

fans will see all the on-field action.

At Wellington Zoo I find this is a

destination for the whole family to enjoy and

an opportunity to get up close and personal

to native treasures and endangered exotic

animals. Located near the city centre and

known as the best little zoo in the world, it

has around 500 animals, comprising over

100 species. Their Close Encounters allow

you to get up close to cheetahs, red pandas,

lions, meerkats and giraffes.

When I go behind the scenes with the lion

keeper to learn about big cats, which

surprisingly act much like domestic cats, we

get the rare opportunity to help the keeper

train and feed the lions with raw meat, which

we hold up against the cage. It is an amazing

experience feeling their rough tongues. The

keeper shows us how they train the lions to

stand upright holding food high up as a

reward. It’s quite overwhelming seeing a

creature of this size and strength tower over us

through the cage – unforgettable!

Only an hour by car or train is one of New

Zealand’s top food and wine destinations, the

Wairarapa. A day trip here is the perfect

complement to your stay in the capital and

what better way to experience it than A Day

Out with local guide Jim. Having grown up in

the Wairarapa for 50 years and now living in

Wellington, his local knowledge is extensive.

We drive over the spectacular Rimutaka

mountain range and stop at the summit’s

lookout to capture panoramic photos of the

surrounding hills. We pass through the site of

an historic prisoner of WWII camp for

captured Japanese soldiers in Featherston

and arrive into the historic Greytown, known

for its restored Victorian buildings, antique

and boutique shopping and great cafes. A

visit to Schoc Chocolates is a must for those

with a sweet tooth.

At New Zealand’s version of Stonehenge

near Carterton we discover how stones, posts

and shadows were used to unlock mysteries

of the earth and sky. Further south at Lake

Ferry Hotel we stop for a classic fish and chip

lunch overlooking the Cook Strait – with

views all the way to the South Island. After

lunch we enjoy a relaxing drive to Cape

Palliser where we visit a colony of fur seals

including pups. To end the day, we climb the

250 steps to a beautiful lighthouse offering

windswept views of the rugged coastline.

Capital Personalised Tours offer small

group personalised tours showcasing the

attractions of the Greater Wellington region

and Wairarapa in an upmarket 4WD. Our tour

guide John loves nature and takes us out for

a day trip to Kapiti which boasts 40km of

unspoilt beaches and a rolling coastal

landscape sheltered by Kapiti Island. We

head north stopping at Pukerua Bay lookout

to get our first glimpse of Kapiti Island and

the coastline. Following the coast, we stop at

Paraparaumu Beach for some delicious home

baked morning tea.

Then we visit world-renowned Southward

Car Museum, which houses the southern

hemisphere’s largest private car collection.

We’re given a tour of the museum, which is

With its airport runway extending, new direct

flights from the Gold Coast and the upcoming 2015

Sevens World Series, Wellington is living up to its reputation as the coolest little capital in the world.

saraH WeeKs tours the Wellington region.

welcomes the world

The Cape Palliser Lighthouse sits at the southern-most point of the Wellington Region.

35Travel DigesT, November 2014

WELLINGTON

home to over 400 automobiles. After a

fascinating journey through automobile

history, we work up an appetite for lunch at

The Red House Cafe in Te Horo. After lunch

we continue to the Lindale Tourist Centre,

which offers a unique experience of

specialty shops selling Kapiti cheese,

ice-cream, candies, art, honey products,

wine and much more. We cruise back to

Wellington and John leaves us with a

farewell gift to remember our day by as he

drops us back at our hotel.

WHere TO sTaYJames Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor is

conveniently located in the heart of

Wellington just minutes from the Cable Car

and Lambton Quay’s shopping district and

near Te Papa and Westpac Stadium.

Corporate guests will appreciate being

connected to high-speed internet throughout

the hotel and exclusive use of the Club

Lounge which includes complimentary full

buffet breakfasts at Whitby’s Restaurant &

Bar, evening bar service and a business

centre with spectacular harbour views.

Tourists staying for leisure will also enjoy

sophisticated amenities including two highly

acclaimed restaurants and bars and the

newly-opened luxury spa Ella Baché, the

first ever exclusive Ella Baché Skin Care

Salon in New Zealand offering a

complimentary in house skin diagnosis.

Their Terrace Rooms are perfect for families

with two double beds. This spacious

accommodation provides all the comforts

one would expect in a 4.5-star hotel,

including an executive desk and well-

stocked mini-bar .

Wellington’s only international five-star

hotel, InterContinental Wellington, has

nearly completed 18 months remodelling

work. Finishing touches are being made

to its multi-million dollar refresh with the

third phase of The Lobby Lounge,

Chameleon Restaurant and reception now

open for guests. The extensive upgrade

creates a luxurious feeling for guests and

the redesigned reception and Lobby Lounge

is a stylish and elegant space to enjoy

cocktails. Chameleon, the hotel’s signature

restaurant, now features fresh decor and a

new menu incorporating sustainable

products and the newly-created concierge

area is sleek and relaxing. The meeting

rooms refurbishment will be completed in

January 2015.

The Deluxe Guest Rooms and Club Guest

Rooms are totally recreated bringing a new

level of luxury to the hotel with a

sophisticated design and state-of-the-art

electronic enhancements. These include

curtains operated by the touch of a button

while still in bed, digital lighting, air

conditioning / heating and frosting of the

glass in the shower windows. New king-sized

beds are plush and comfortable while the

reconfigured bathrooms feature luxurious

walk-in shower.

WHere TO eaTLocated on the ground floor of the

InterContinental Wellington, Arizona is

famous for its hearty Mexican, Cajun and

American Southwest-style cuisine. Arizona

is perfect for a relaxed weekend brunch,

superb lunch, casual evening meals or a

hearty breakfast.

Logan Brown is an award-winning fine

dining restaurant offering the best in food in

a stylish yet relaxed atmosphere housed in a

1920s revamped bank on Wellington’s Cuba

St. Using only the best organic and

fair-trade seasonal ingredients possible from

local producers, their style of food is

modern but based on classic cooking

techniques. The level of service meets high

expectations and their team are

knowledgeable about each ingredient.

Located in the heart of the Courtenay

Place entertainment district, Chow Tory is a

great, modern and casual restaurant offering

fresh, balanced and healthy fresh Asian

cuisine in a relaxed modern environment.

Hidden away upstairs in the heart of

Courtenay Place sits The Library serving

creative cocktails, exquisite and obscure

wines, delicious desserts, exceptional

cheese and scrumptious savoury snacks.

Playing live music every Tuesday and Friday

evening, this bar is the perfect place to

meet for catch up drinks or indulge in a

sweet treat for dessert after dinner.

Hidden down the quiet Forresters Lane

alleyway just off Tory Street is Motel Bar –

just follow the tropical street art and bright

pink neon lights. Just like a motel, ring the

doorbell and wait for the buzz before you’re

taken upstairs to an island paradise where

you’ll feel like you’re on holiday. Open until

the wee hours of the morning, you’ll enjoy

classic Hawaiian-themed cocktails served

in colourful tiki mugs, which you can buy as

a keepsake.

Little Beer Quarter is Wellington’s beer

geek heaven, tucked away in the Edward

Street Precinct. With 14 rotating taps, two

hand pulls and over 100 beers in the fridge,

this bar pours New Zealand’s best craft

beer, cider and wine. ✈

Travelling in a dedicated luxury 4WD for your group, we offer a range of personalised tours to help you get

the most out of your visit to Wellington

Lord of the Rings and Hobbit Tours (Incl. Weta Cave and Film Locations)

Wellington City Tours(Incl. Cable Car, Beehive and Mt Victoria)

Wine & Food Tours (We Visit the Wairarapa Wine Region)

Kapiti Coast Tours (Incl. Southwards Car Museum)

Wairarapa Tours (Historic Townships and Rugged Southern Coast)

Sports & Recreation Tours (Incl. Golf and Cycling Tours)

Showcasing Wellington and beyond with the personal touch.

For Pricing, more Information and to book please visit us at www.captours.co.nz

P +64 21 280 2406 E john@captours.co.nz