New Zealand is rated as the second safest country in the world (after Japan) and, as such, makes a fantastic family holiday destination, with a range of family-friendly activities available in all the major cities, from museums, art galleries, national parks, fantastic restaurants and interesting architecture filling the cities. Wellington is no different, located in the heart of New Zealand at the bottom of the North Island.
Start off your trip to Wellington with the world-class Wellington Zoo, located close to the bay below Newtown and just west of Wellington International Airport. It is home to a diverse range of both native and exotic animals, from cheetahs, chimpanzees, giraffes, tigers, and many more other animals - you can see over 100 different species and 500 individual animals. See keeper talks, engage in close animal encounters and the unique opportunity for a zoo sleepover. The sleepover offers a behind the scenes look at the zoo after everyone else has gone home. See the zoo as it opens up for the day the next morning. All you need to bring is a sleeping bag and warm clothes with a sleeping roll provided, but you can bring your own blow-up mattress if you prefer.
Famous for its special and practical effects in the film industry, in particular the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Weta Workshop is where the movie magic happens—located just north of Wellington Airport on Camperdown Road by the bay. Weta Workshop is where the practical effects are crafted for movies, from armour to costumes, masks, and much more. It is an Academy Award-winning workshop and has worked on other films such as Blade Runner 2049, Avatar, Ghost in the Shell, Alita: Battle Angel, and Mad Max Fury Road. Book a tour ranging from a 45-minute run through to a full day experience. See the artists at work, famous props, the retail store on-site, as well as larger than life statues of some famous figures.
