Wellington, New Zealand: Sauron's Mordor

Day 4: Today we explored the harbor town of Wellington at a very relaxed pace. Foremost on our agenda was the famous Te Papa Museum. What surprised us greatly was that this fantastic museum is free, except for special exhibits. Aside from the fact that this was the first world venue for The Lord of the Rings exhibition, Te Papa offers a stimulating glance into the culture and stories of New Zealand. Add to that its unique architecture and stunning waterfront location, this is a museum you don't want to skip.

If you are a Lord of the Rings movie buff, then you'll be thrilled to know that Wellington was the main filming and production location for movie trilogy during October 1999 to December 2000. Although conservation and legal requirements make sure that no film sets from the movie remain, several tour companies will show you a glimpse of the former Middle Earth. Or if you're like us, try this self-guided tour.


The Cable Car is one of Wellington's oldest and most popular tourist attractions. It journeys up under the motorway, through the three tunnels, past Kelburn Park and Victoria University and on to the top entrance of the city's Botanic Garden where various walks begin. After spending most of the day strolling around the main shopping district and exploring the waterfront museums, we took a tour of the parliament. The most interesting part of which was a demonstration of the earthquake protection base isolators that separate the buildings from their foundation, thus minimizing extensive damage during a quake.

At night we strolled around Cuba street, the hub of bohemian vibe, thriving cafe culture, and offbeat punk stores. While here, check out Matterhorn, the local institution that was often booked out by the Lord of the Rings cast.