Visiting Wellington this summer

[Beanb41]

A message for Cruisers visiting Wellington this summer season. If you are looking for a low key easy day in Wellington then a visit to our National museuem Te Papa is the way to spend your day. It is walking distance around the waterfront and gives one a springboard to the Cable car and other Wellington attractions. First up at Te Papa is the "Gallipoli: The scale of our war" exhibition. This exhibition built by Weta workshops (of Hobbit and Lord of the RIngs fame) takes one through the horror of World War 1. Lifelike models two and a half times lifesize dominate the displays. This exhibition opened in 2015 and runs through to 2018. It is free and queues acn be be expected. The second exhibition which open Sat December 10th and runs through until April 17 is "Bug Lab". This is another display made by the Weta workshops. Such was the didication in getting things right the modellers actually shaved a dead bee to get get quality 3D pictures for the model making. This will also prove to be a popular display and queues alongside the Gallipoli exhibition can be expected so get there early. There is a charge for this exhibition $NZ15 per adult and $5 for children Concession and family packages are available.

[MicCanberra]

Thanks, always good things to do and see in Wellington. If the weather is good, the Botanical gardens are wonderful. Cable car up and walk down.

[Lanwood]

Thanks for the info Beanb41.

We are in Wellington this summer (Emerald Princess) and were researching something different to do this time.

[erewhon]

We disembarked from Maasdam last week.

In Wellington, due to earthquake damage, cruise ship passengers were not permitted to walk out of the port area, a shuttle bus was provided, from ship side to Brandon Street.

[aussielozzie18]

We got the ships shuttle to Wellington CBD. The second drop off point was across the road from the famed cable car. Caught the cable car to the top for stunning views. Then had a lovely walk down through the gardens. At the bottom of the gardens, a volunteer pointed us in the direction of the local bus. The bus driver was very friendly and announced the stop we needed to get off for the Museum. The Museum was excellent and you could spend a couple of hours there. We enjoyed our visit to Wellington and I would love to go back.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

We disembarked from Maasdam last week.

In Wellington, due to earthquake damage, cruise ship passengers were not permitted to walk out of the port area, a shuttle bus was provided, from ship side to Brandon Street.

 

Thanks for the update. We have friends there today on the Golden.

[Beanb41]

This shuttle can be termed a benefit of the earthquakes as it is free due to upheaval on the wharf. Before the earthquake it would have cost $15 for the return trip

[Aus Traveller]

We also recommend a visit to Parliament House - free. The tour is interesting, particularly where they show a video on how the whole massive building was literally lifted up and reinforced rubber blocks inserted between the building and the foundations to make it earth-quake proof. This is a process invented by a NZ engineer. The tour goes down into the basement of the building where visits see the actual rubber blocks. We found it fascinating.

 

Parliament House is roughly half way back to the ship from the middle of town and around two blocks inland from the harbour. On cruiseship days they put on extra tours.

[Beanb41]

One can also see the isolators at Te Papa if a tour of Parliament is not your thing. Access is just outside the main door of Te Papa

Edited December 11, 2016 by Beanb41

[MicCanberra]

Thanks for the information on the shuttle.:D

[TLCOhio]

A message for Cruisers visiting Wellington this summer season. If you are looking for a low key easy day in Wellington then a visit to our National museuem Te Papa is the way to spend your day. It is walking distance around the waterfront and gives one a springboard to the Cable car and other Wellington attractions.

 

Appreciate this focus on Wellington and the great tips for visiting there. Below are a few of my favorites from this city with its great character, sights, options, charm, etc. More on my full live/blog that is connected below. Hope thing are recovering well in and around scenic Wellington.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 162,746 views for this posting.

 

 

We started out our day in Wellington by hooking up with an excellent cab driver for a mini-tour and introduction to this city. This included first going up to Mount Victoria for a great overview of the city and seeing many sights around town. Here is an overview for this city from this great location on a wonderful weather day. We could also the residential structures that climb up the hills all around this great, scenic harbor. And, we had a view of the Wellington airport where the top movie/computer operations for Peter Jackson and James Cameron are working their magic for future film releases. Wellington is now the center for this type of film production in the world. There was also a closer view of the Te Papa museum shown below from this vantage point.:

 

 

 

This is the main government center for New Zealand, including on the left with its round, Beehive building. The Beehive was built in stages between 1969 and 1979. It is extensively decorated with New Zealand art. The top floor is occupied by the Cabinet room, with the Prime Minister's offices on the ninth floor. The Parliament is located next door in the middle building shown.:

 

 

 

This is the inside of Old St. Paul's church in Wellington. It is the former cathedral in the Diocese of Wellington for the Anglican Church. As an example of 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture, they adapted to colonial conditions and materials. It is at 34 Mulgrave Street, close to the New Zealand Parliament. Its construction was completed in June 1866. In 1964, the Diocese of Wellington moved to the new St Paul's Cathedral nearby. After a significant battle to prevent its demolition, Old St. Paul's was purchased by the New Zealand Government in 1967 and restored. Although not a parish church, it remains consecrated and is a popular for weddings, funerals and other services. It is constructed from native NZ timbers. The interior has been likened to the upturned hull of an Elizabethan galleon. As this picture shows, it has exposed curving trusses and roof sacking. The flags displayed in the nave include the Royal Navy, NZ Merchant Navy and US Marine Corps. Many of our Marines were stationed in Wellington during World War II. My wife is in yellow walking down the center aisle as she absorb the building details. This was a very important and "moving" site to experience.:

 

 

 

Starting with its contemporary design, this Te Papa Museum is not a boring and/or average facility. And, the admission is FREE!! Such a deal! Well worth it, too. The second picture below reflect some of its native Maori collection and emphasis.:

 

 

 

 

 

Below is a view for a small portion of the Wellington downtown reflecting the architecture and art variety, style, interest, beauty, etc. Nice mix and options here for shopping, dining, sampling. Their waterfront is nicely developed with many options there for things to do and see.:

 

[Beanb41]

Terry's photo of Te Papa (photo 4)

 

The isolators which are huge rubber mounts can be found to the right of the lady wearing the yellow hi viz vest. There are a few steps down to see then and for those with mobility problems a small mobility lift to take you down and back up again.

Edited December 11, 2016 by Beanb41

[MicCanberra]

Thanks Terry for the wonderful photos. And Bean for explaining where the isolators would be.:D