Worth getting out of bed for...

Viewpoint

The bright red Wellington Cable Car – although technically a tram – travels from the heart of the city up to the top of the Botanic Gardens in just five minutes, offering striking views, for NZ$5 adult return (+64 (0)4 472 2199; www.wellingtoncablecar.co.nz). There’s also a free museum at the top, which has original trams that are more than 100-years old.

Arts and culture

For an insight into Maori culture and New Zealand history, Te Papa Tongarewa, or the Museum of New Zealand, has more than 130,000 objects such as ancestral carvings and clothing, as well as a number of interactive exhibits (www.tepapa.govt.nz). City Gallery Wellington is also strong on the visual arts, although it’s currently undergoing an NZ$6.3 million revamp, and is expected to reopen late 2009 (www.citygallery.org.nz).

Something for nothing

The Wellington Botanic Garden is free to visit, encompassing 25 hectares of protected native forest, specialised plant collections and flowers, including the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, the Begonia House, a cafe, playground and garden shop. It's at 101 Glenmore Street, but the main entrance is on Tinakori Road ( +64 (0)4 499 1400).

Shopping

The main shopping area is delightfully compact – it will take about 20 minutes to walk from one end to the other. The Cuba and Lambton quarters are the best bet for high-end and boutique stores; see the tourist board’s fashion map for a full guide (www.wellingtonnz.com/shopping/fashion_map). Modern Love stocks labels from both New Zealand and Australia, and vintage clothing (112 Cuba Street); New Zealand designer Kate Sylvester also has a store at 32 Cuba Street. In the Courtenay quarter, Soup is a treasure trove of second-hand designer labels, including Armani and acclaimed New Zealand fashion talent Karen Walker (8 Blair Street). In Lambton, try another native designer, Annah Stretton (101 Willis Street).

Daytripper

Porirua, a 15-minute drive north of Wellington, is a breathtakingly beautiful rugged coastal spot perfect for windsurfing and diving. For food and wine indulgence, head to Wairarapa, a wine region 90 minutes from the city, including more than 30 wineries at Martinborough, most within walking distance of the village.

Best beach

Head for the nearby Kapiti Coast, and hub town Paraparaumu, which boasts a beautiful beach. From here you can boat out to Kapiti Island, an offshore bird and marine sanctuary. Just a 45-minute drive north-west of Wellington on route SH1, it's where the city's residences take to the waters. Buses (www.intercitycoach.co.nz) and trains (www.tranzmetro.co.nz) also head beachwards.

Perfect picnic

The grounds of the Parliament Buildings are the perfect spot to lay down a rug and take in the grandeur of the Edwardian Parliament House, the Victorian Gothic Library and the iconic 1970s Beehive building.

Walks

Given its size, Wellington is easily accessible by foot – in fact it’s encouraged as the best way to get around. There are a number of self-guided tours that cover the waterfront and historical areas – see www.wellingtonnz.com for routes. Try the City to Sea Walkway, a 12-kilometre stretch from the middle of the city out to the south coast in Island Bay, which includes views of the Cook Strait and Kaikoura Peninsula. It can be done in six hours, but also tackled in smaller stages with bus stops along the route.

Children

Wellington Zoo, which tags itself as the 'best little zoo in the world', at 200 Daniell Street, has about 500 animals including big cats, giraffes and many native animals. It’s most famous resident is possibly Tahi, the one-legged kiwi who was rescued from a trap in 2005, and who appears in the Wild Theatre at 1.15pm (+64 (0)4 381 6755; www.wellingtonzoo.com).

Activities

As in most of New Zealand, wildlife encounters abound in Wellington. Karori Sanctuary, recently renamed Zealandia, is just five minutes from downtown. This wildlife haven simulates life before humans arrived 700 years ago, and features many revitalised native species (+64(0)4 920 9200; www.sanctuary.org.nz).For futher natural pursuits, try a seal coast safari, travelling by 4WD to a fur seal colony (0800 732 5277; www.sealcoast.com).

And

Flat Earth New Zealand offers guided tours including Lord of the Rings movie locations and the Weta Cave, the tourist access point to director Peter Jackson’s movie special-effects company (+64(0)4 977 5805; www.flatearth.co.nz).