Exploring Wellington on a budget

Now the super summer heat is fading, having a pool or sandy beach on your holiday doorstep isn’t as much of a necessity for a weekend away. Instead, city breaks are back in fashion. One place that merges the two is the beautiful hilly region of Wellington, at the bottom of the North Island. We’ve put together a great guide to explore Wellington for cheap. First of all, book yourself a budget rental vehicle to get around and head to one of these spots.

Drive-up Mount Victoria Lookout:

The first stop of your visit to windy Welly just has to be Mount Vic. It offers the best 360 views you could imagine, showcasing the CBD, the harbour and the Cook Straight. On the way there, make sure you toot as you drive through the Mount Victoria Tunnel. This old tradition is said to pay tribute to a teenager who was buried alive in the foundations while the tunnel was being built in 1931.

Te Papa:

Aotearoa’s national museum is one of the best free pound-for-pound day trips you can do in New Zealand. With a mix of knowledge, fun, interactive exhibitions and, of course, the display of the biggest colossal squid ever caught, Te Papa is a must-see attraction for everyone, from 5 to 95 year olds. The main focuses of the museum are; a mixture of long term exhibitions, cultural spaces and touring exhibitions based on New Zealand history, Māori culture and New Zealand’s natural world.

Botanical Gardens:

Colour your day with 25 hectares of specialised plant collections, colourful botanical displays, unique landscape, protected native forest and city views. What other attractions can give you such a sense of calm and happiness than this? Fields of rainbow colours, sweet scents and a quiet stroll through the gardens. Botanical gardens always provide a peaceful recluse whilst in the clutches of a big city. The Wellington gardens are particularly sweet.

Drive to Martinborough:

A beautiful drive takes you over the Rimutaka Ranges on the road to Martinborough, a town in the South Wairarapa District, 65 kilometres east of Wellington. It’s definitely worth the ride as you’re greeted by kilometres of vineyards stretching far and wide. The little village has a number of classy eateries and the place is known for a festival/event or two.

So what’s stopping you? Get your vehicle sorted today and head out for a long and cheap weekend of joy.