My Comprehensive Guide to Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand (B)

Wellington is a beautiful capital city with museums, walks, outdoor cafes and more. While NZ can quickly become expensive, there are plenty of budget-friendly outings to enjoy, considering the easy layout, accessible beaches, and nature within the city. From the free exhibits at Te Papa Museum to a steep but doable hike up Mt. Victoria, here's my guide to navigating Wellington.

If you're a fan of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, check out Weta Workshop. They create all kinds of movie magic and are located in the eastern Miramar neighborhood.

(If you're interested in visiting the actual Hobbit houses, I've written a post about that, too!) You can take a tour bus there, which is a decent deal, or the #2 Bus can get you there a bit cheaper. 

At the Weta Cave, there's a free film, fun gift shop, and a you can check-in for a slightly over-priced tour of the props room. It's 45 minutes of being able to ask questions, see and handle weapons and set pieces, along with insights into the complexities involved in the special effects. While I found it interesting, the price seemed a bit high to me, and you may find that the other free offers are enough. Book ahead online, and get there on time. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).