Wellington, 28/29/30/31/01/12

After an easy flight across we got to our hotel in no time at all. We dropped our luggage and were off for a walk around the city centre. It was lunch time for us 1:45pm (2pm Melb time = 4pm Welly time) and we wanted a light meal. We were turned away from 3 places (“we close at 4 on Saturdays”) before we finally found somewhere to eat.

I had done my research and that night we went to Matterhorn. We were super happy with our night out. The restaurant was at the end of a grungy laneway/arcade we possibly would not have entered if we hadn’t known there was a restaurant there. It opened up to a contemporary fitout and the staff were friendly from the moment we walked in and were shown to our table. Food and wine delicious... my crab and fish terrine divine, chard/mushroom & cheese cannelloni with parmesan foam was close to the best I have ever had, and like no other... dessert was ‘pineapple lump’ which was essentially a gooey centred choc pudding with licorice smudged on the plate, and what looked like dirt but was dried licorice/ choc and pineapple pieces. Bloody good!

We caught the cable car up from the city centre to the Botanic Gardens. It was a great view of the city from the top. It was an easy downhill walk back to the city and our hotel.

Sunday we spent wandering around the city.

There was a farmers market on the docks. This boat was selling their fish right off the back. (Simon I will send you more photos too). Once selected your order was prepared by the 2 guys at the back of the boat. It doesn't get any fresher!

We headed to the tourist info centre and in the piazza there were about 10 of these little gardens. Very clever idea, and would be the perfect portable garden for anyone who only has a courtyard garden. (hint hint Emmeline)

Wellington is a great city of old and new buildings. I have been particularly impressed with the harbour area with many houses on the hills surrounding the bay. It feels like a physical mix of many places we have been.
Most homes are weatherboard and very well maintained. With its very steep hills its San Francisco, Positano and Melbourne all in one. The only sizeable flat land is either the city or the airport.



We have enjoyed ourselves and really started to relax. We have even hit the gym and the pool to counteract the effects of the food intake!!!
We decided to hire a car on Monday (our anniversary day) and headed north from Wellington to take a look at the wine region of Martinborough, travelling through amazing mountainous region with clean fast flowing rivers alongside the road. We had lunch at Murdoch James. (It was actually the only winery we visited, spending more of our time checking out the little towns on the way through.)

Is it obvious I have food envy at this stage? Marks salad with his pork belly was absolutely delicious which we will try to replicate one day.

That night was another exceptional meal at Logan Brown. It is in an old bank building, so fabulous and different setting.

Our last day in Wellington saw us go up to the top of Mt Victoria.


It was cool with a VERY strong northerly wind...even the locals said it was windy.


Mark at Maranui Surf Club Cafe. VERY popular in an otherwise quiet area.

In all - a great city, clean, nice people, four days, good food, wonderful scenery.
We have found great coffee, some amazing restaurants.