Page 40 of New Zealand Island Discoveries Shore Tours by P&O Cruises

wellington picton off the historic beaten track approximate duration 4 hours pcn-h steeped in early maori european history the port underwood area was among the first south island areas settled by the british one of its earliest residents was reverend samuel ironside who established the second mission station in the south island at ngakuta bay whaling and fishing were the area s first main industries but today it is forestry fishing and mussel farming the capital at the southern tip of the north island is a cosmopolitan centre of government and commerce it is known for its winds its winding streets its homes clinging to the hillsides but above all its harbour wellington has one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and rejoices in the motto suprema a situ supreme by site the original site was the flat delta shaped land at petone the town was then called britannia interestingly making new zealand s major cities all starting with the letters a b c and d auckland britannia christchurch and dunedin seeking a more central location wellington became the capital in 1865 when the seat of government was transferred from auckland until the earthquake of 1855 most of the land now lying between lambton quay and the waterfront did not exist amazingly the hutt motorway and the railway now run along an uplifted part of the seabed the port of wellington serves other new zealand ports provides links with other parts of the world and is the north island terminal for the cook strait ferry service there are many places of interest and many buildings to visit including parliament with its dynamic-shaped annex known as the beehive others include the victoria university and national museum the national art gallery and one of the world s largest wooden buildings the old government buildings and magnificent old st paul s cathedral good views of the city are obtained from mount victoria and also by taking the cable car to kelburn oriental bay is an attractive inner city beach and is just a few minutes walk from the central business district notes to make your day as enjoyable as possible please ensure that you wear comfortable flat-soled shoes clothing suited to the weather conditions a hat and jacket and bring along some sunscreen and bottled water what you visit karaka point once a prominent maori pa village site your driver/guide will provide commentary on the historic significance of the site the panoramic views across queen charlotte sound from the pa site are a visual delight refreshments a delightful morning tea or afternoon tea will be served at a local homestead in oyster bay photo opportunities port underwood summit be treated to a magnificent birds-eye view down to port underwood and across to the island of horahora-kakahu where british sovereignty over the south island was formally proclaimed on the 17th june 1840 what you see along the way departing the wharf you ll pass through the bustling township of picton and along the winding coastal road to waikawa bay passing through kakapo bay ocean bay robin hood bay whites bay rarangi and tuamarina all of fascinating historic interest things to see and do in and around wellington from the top of mt victoria new zealand s capital lies at your feet it is a stunning vista of forested peninsulas a bustling waterfront dramatic cliff-side homes and fine victorian buildings wonderful windy wellington so named for the bracing winds funnelling through cook strait boasts museums gardens winding streets and even a cable car no wonder many travellers compare it to san francisco lady norwood rose garden located near the heart of wellington the garden boasts over 1,200 varieties of roses as well as begonias ferns bougainvillea hibiscus frangipani and gardenias parliament buildings wellington s parliament buildings crown a knoll near lambton quay the 1922 edwardian parliament house and the 1897 neo-gothic general assembly library contrast with the executive wing opened by queen elizabeth in 1977 time is allowed for a guided tour of the buildings te papa museum of new zealand known as te papa or our place in maori the museum is three football fields in length and is divided into sections to represent the past the present and the future the collections include artefacts a maori meeting house and ornate carvings pencarrow lodge perhaps the best views in the region wander out onto the lawn for breathtaking panoramic views of the storm coast and over to pencarrow s romantic honeymooner s cottage maybe you won t want to leave karori bird wildlife sanctuary extensive efforts were made to reclaim this sanctuary for many of the country s endangered and rare small species a five mile long predator fence was erected to safeguard the reserve after which rare native birds could be released the sanctuary also features an historic dam and a 19th-century gold mining site complete with an old valve house and boat shed otari wilton bush a canopied walk on a stable footbridge sends you soaring above the forest floor on this treetop walk new zealand s only botanical garden dedicated solely to native plants and animals was once a maori hunting site ­ otari means place of snares featherston s fell engine museum gateway to the wairarapa featherston is home to the restored fell locomotive h199 the last remaining example of its type the engine used four-grip wheels on a centre rail to climb 869 feet up the three-mile long rimutaka incline kaitoke regional park fans of the lord of the rings trilogy know this pristine rainforest as the location of the magical rivendel picton southward museum founded by sir leonard southward the museum offers an amazing collection of vintage household items automobiles and motorcycles camp russell the site marks the world war ii encampments of the u.s first and second marine divisions 76 77 wellington

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