Sarah WallockWellington is an upbeat, young and hip city. After spending time in Auckland, which was more globally-minded and posh, Wellington was a breath of fresh air. From diverse food and street art to sweeping city views and terraced landscaping, Wellington had character. On our way down, we stopped at Lake Taupo for coffee and saw one of the many rainbows we’ve seen in NZ. We saw the entire rainbow end to end spread across Lake Taupo. We hopped back in the car in the pouring rain and drove 4 hours to Wellington.
Wellington CBD 
View from the Cable Car
Nick and I checked into a campervan pitch at Camp Wellington. It was a perfect spot, 20 minutes from the city center and had a comfortable-feel. Simon, the owner/manager, showed us around the property. We parked our car into a designated spot and had free use of the kitchen, bathrooms, showers, and common space that had Wifi and heating. Having a warm shower after camping for the previous two days was a luxury! Simon rents rooms to long-term tenants, and rents cabins and pitches to travelers, so there were plenty of people around. This was our second night sleeping in the Green Machine and we were close to mastering converting the car into a bedroom at night. Camp Wellington overlooks Shelly Bay and the city center. It was a great view to fall asleep and wake up to.
Our first night in Wellington, we checked out Simon’s curated map of his recommended spots. I especially liked this map because I would much rather take his advice than a general guidebook of the area. This is for two reasons. First, because generally places listed on tourist guides have too many tourists or are just overcrowded. Second, because his map caters to his tastes. After having spent most of his life there, I trust he would know the best local spots and some hidden gems. When visitors come to my hometown, my recommendations don’t match travel guidebooks’. As travel is becoming more popular and places are becoming more touristy, tourists continue to seek off-the-beaten-path experiences and restaurants. I know that I want to have that feeling of discovery while traveling, rather than going where everyone else is. I think visiting a balance of well-known spots and less-popular places is key.
Ultimately, Simon’s map claimed Rasa was the best food in the city, so we were instantly sold. Our meal at Rasa, a Malaysian restaurant on Cuba Street, was (and still is) the best meal we’ve had in New Zealand. We had dosas, Sambar, and seafood curry. I am going to remember this meal for a very long time. The dosas were perfect, the atmosphere was comfortable and the dishes were incredible. I must’ve thanked the waitress 4 times. TripAdvisor doesn’t even list Rasa on it’s 10 Best Restaurants in Wellington or even the 30 best. I have already told my parents that they have to eat there when they visit Wellington.
After a memorable meal at Rasa, we got drinks at Midnight Espresso, a late-night eatery/coffee house on Cuba Street. This is a place I could happily see myself posting-up on a weekend night for a coffee, people-watching or catching up with friends. Along Cuba street, there were plenty of coffee shops and bars with nightlife, even on a Monday in the pouring rain.
The next day, we headed up the Cable Cars and walked back down to the city. The area was easily navigable and we enjoyed a morning of good weather. We headed down to Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. This was hands-down my favorite museum in New Zealand. It was interactive and based in both cultural and natural histories. I especially liked the contemporary art installations on the top floor (shown below). Some were based on sensory experiences like smell and touch.
Overall, Wellington had a nice feel to it. People compare it to LA and San Francisco, but the energy seemed unique. I could see aspects of the urban sprawl of LA and the terraced houses, windy walkways and green spaces like San Francisco. There seemed to be a nice balance between work and leisure among the Wellingtonians. In Auckland, the Kiwis seemed a bit more stressed and work-driven. Next time we’re in Wellington, I hope to make it up to Mount Victoria and eat at more of the hip places on Cuba street.
