I did a LOT of riding the Metlink, Wellington's bus network. As the capital city and since it is…read morequite spread out, there are over 100 bus lines, the funicular, some ferries and even a few suburban trains. Some of the buses are diesel and some are electric, most of the buses have bike racks on front. It is the most used public transportation system in the country. As well, the city's hilly network makes a public transport system quite the lifesaver. Metlink converted from paper tickets to a tap in / tap out debit card system though it is still possible to purchase fares from the driver with cash. The card system is called "Snapper" and the cards can be loaded online (if you have an online account) or from kiosks around the city. When you "tap in" the cost for your fare is displayed and how much credit you have remaining. Easy to use and relatively inexpensive. I found the bus frequency to be plenty often - I never waited more than ten minutes. And it was pretty awesome to have up-to-date information displayed on the screen at the bus stop. [Review 494 of 2024 - 143 in New Zealand - 21526 overall]

After spending the day before in the rugged high-country landscape and mountainous scenery of the…read moreHakatere Conservation Park, we sailed to New Zealand's capital city, Wellington, also known as "the coolest little capital." So, we asked what makes this city "cool?" And we set out on a 15-minute shuttle bus ride from the Port of Wellington (Aotea Quay) into the CBD, where we noticed the architectural mix of Victorian structures and adventurous modern designs, beautiful and colorful murals with British historical and Maori influences, high-end international and local designer stores mixed in between fast-food cafes such as McDonald's and shawarma cafes. Before getting off the shuttle bus, our guide mentioned the historic yet updated Wellington Cable Car as a popular attraction and pointed out its tucked-away lower station off Lambton Quay, a shopping street. He cautioned that many residents and University students use it, so we might have to "squeeze in" during peak hours, but assured us that during the ride up, we'd be treated to a cool light show similar to 70s disco flashes. At the top of the hill or Kelburn Lookout, there would be a panoramic view of Wellington CBD, a cute museum and cafe, public washrooms, and a free shuttle to Zealandia Bird Sanctuary, Victoria University, and the suburb of Kelburn. As it turned out, after hearing from our shuttle bus guide, four other fellow passengers and their spouses decided to follow us by browsing on Lambton Quay, riding the Cable Car, and going to the Wellington Botanic Garden. I suddenly felt "stressed" because these eight others put their faith into our navigational skills, even though we told them this was our first time in Wellington. We each purchased a single or one-way ticket ($6.50 NZD), waited a few minutes for the funicular railway car to pull into the lower station, and boarded. Along the short, under 8-minute (we stopped at 3 stations along the way) journey, the "cool experience" traveled through 3 tunnels of blinking colored lights, made stops at 3 intermediate stations along the railway, where most of us either craned our necks or contorted our bodies to catch the picturesque views along the way. After exiting the cable car, I rushed over to the lookout area by the cafe took a photo while the others looked for the restrooms. I told them to meet in the museum then we'd regroup then look for the botanic garden. Meanwhile, I asked the store cashier for a map of the city, and she obliged with a free one, even pointing out access to the Wellington Botanical Garden across the street. I breathed a sigh of relief as I regrouped with my husband and the rest of the gang to "lead the way" to the Wellington Botanic Gardens and more. Riding this cable car was a short, scenic, and fun experience which I'd love to return to.

The Wellington Cable Car is both public transportation and super fun tourist attraction in the…read moreheart of Wellington CBD. You can get the low end right in downtown; it has a handful of stops up the mountain which crosses highways and allows you to avoid a plethora of stairs. It runs constantly so you're never waiting more than a few minutes. The upper end is at the top; you'll find botanical gardens, a cafe/restaurant, the free Cable Car Museum, and free shuttle to Zealandia Eco Sanctuary; all these things are must-visits if you love birds and flowers. Tickets are reasonable, and they have student and monthly passes if you live in town. You can buy one-ways or round-trips depending; if you plan on the Botanical Gardens you only need a one-way as it's all downhill back into the city. At the top station there's also a small display from Weta Workshop, which is a fun addition. It's also a great photo location with panoramic views of the city and bay below. This is a must-visit spot in Wellington.

My son and I stayed for 9 days with hosts Willie and Kathleen in November 2014. It was a perfect…read morestay, with all you would hope for. They welcomed us into their lovely historic home (built in the 1870s) - and were so helpful in figuring out public transport, things to see, and the cultural differences you encounter as a non-resident. (The bus picks up right by the house and goes directly down to CBD. It is less than 10 minutes down to Te Papa.) The rooms were just beautiful - with a considered antique feel. The beds were comfortable, and there was plenty of room to store clothing. In the evenings when it is warm, they have a lovely veranda with table and chairs. And there is also a comfortable common room if that is what you like. The breakfast was always well-prepared and on time - they even happily accommodated some dietary restrictions we had. We will return to see Willie and Kathleen next time we are in Wellington. You should consider this gem of a place if you are visiting Windy Welly!

Holy cow this ferry is huge. Largest one I've been on. But then it is a critical lifeline tying…read moretogether North Island and South Island. It has to accommodate all manner of vehicles. I saw massive trucks with trailers (lorries) coming off, including a gargantuan mail truck. (There was even a dedicated rest area on deck 7 for truck drivers.) While the distance is not great, the ferry goes slowly, even on the open ocean. I imagine this is to protect wildlife. Then, coming to Picton through the Sound is tricky, and must be done with care. The cruise is family- and disability-friendly. Getting on board at Wellington, we had to take two escalators. However, elevators were nearby. Walkways are wide. With a little help at the doorway, you could even get outside at deck 7. There are elevators on the ship. At Picton, disembarking involves a bit of a walk and stairs, so you can request a shuttle ride. Their are kid play spaces on decks 1 and 7. There's also a cinema on deck 1 that plays family-friendly movies, I believe. (You have to buy tickets.) This thing has 10 decks! Decks 3 and 5 were for regular vehicles. Humans were mostly on decks 7 and 8. The cabins were on deck 9. You can rent these even during daytime passages. Deck 10 up top was closed because it was too windy. (Bummer.) The small gift shop on deck 8 was never open. There were several restaurants. I had a breakfast of bacon, scrambled eggs, toast and hash browns. Later I had a roast beef toastie. Prices were reasonable, like you'd find on land. Plenty of drink options (including alcohol) and various snacks. What was annoying was the people who ran to the seats with the views, then promptly fell asleep for the whole ride or looked at their phones, talked, etc. - anything but look at the view. Unless you need to sit there because of sea sickness, please leave these seats for those of us who really want to enjoy the view. The hand dryers in the bathrooms were useless. Be prepared to use your clothing to dry your hands. It was pretty cold during the crossing, but there was no heat (except in one small bathroom which was nice and warm). At times my internet access was spotty or non-existent. I never could get their free wifi to work, so I just had to wait on mine. There are a variety of chairs. There are some premium rooms that have food and don't allow kids that are available at an extra cost. You can also rent these rooms.

Wellington Picton Ferry…read more Well oiled machine... Well, oiled, .... Only for astute Problem Solvers Our month long DIY Tour of New Zealand involved fascinating planning and flexible execution. There are three reasons to visit New Zealand: Nature, Nature, and Nature... There are several options to taking the ferry to the South Island, and we considered and rejected all but ferry. We are not Ferry Newbies, and we enjoy the mystery, delays, delights, and sailings of ferries;we have used Washington State Ferries several times, Alaska Marine Highway System, Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry Cape May-Lewes Ferry, BC Ferries (Vancouver to Victoria,) Golden Gate Ferry (San Francisco to Sausalito,) Northumberland Ferries Limited, (Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island.) To us there is both drama and romance in most ferries Our Picton crossing was schedule for a PM, but a large storm postponed crossing too early resulting in adding a motel and restaurant. Storm had settled in AM, but still lots of rain. Lots of problem solving involved. We boarded about 5:00AM. Is Bluebridge or Interislander better? It is very much a preference thing concerning the ferries and how their timetables fit in with the passenger. The Interislander has larger ferries and the option of upgrading onboard facilities to restricted lounges. The train to/from CHCH also meets the Interislander. The ferry from Wellington to Picton typically sails 6 times daily and up to 46 times weekly. 2 ferry operators provide ferries from Wellington to Picton, Bluebridge & Interislander. Wellington Picton Ferry timetables change seasonally, use our Deal Finder to get tickets, pricing, schedules and availability. The average sailing time of a ferry from Wellington to Picton is approximately 3h 33m The distance between Wellington and Picton is approximately 53.9 miles (86.8km), or 46.9 nautical miles. The city of Wellington is New Zealand's capital city and is located on the south west tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It is the North Island's major population centre and is also the world's most southerly capital city. We had a fantastic sailing. The boarding was well organized, following the storm, and the vessel clean and tidy. I will use again. No worries here. Overall, a Great Adventure, and we are joyous for this experience.

When I was in New Zealand a few years ago, we did all of the Tranz Scenic trips. You get to see so…read moremuch of the country in a comfortable train seat. The back of the carriages has an observation part which is good for taking photos. For what you get and how far you go, the ticket prices are really good. The staff are all really friendly too. If I were to go back, and I would like to, I would book all these journeys again.

The Wellington Railway Station is the terminus of the North Island Main Trunk in New Zealand…read more Passengers wanting to continue their journey to the South Island, would then take a ferry to cross over to Picton. Opened in 1937, it now houses the Wellington office of the National Railroad (KiwiRail). Inside, it has the grand ceilings of a classic railway station, clad in Marseille tiles. It was beautiful and airy inside, and worth a walk around to admire the architecture.

Beautiful old railway station from 1937. There are many tracks, ticket windows, an information…read morebooth, clean restrooms, coffee shops a bar... It connects underground to the parliament & government buildings and the bus station. Here we were able get his maps & tourist information from friendly and helpful staff.

Bought the Train monthly pass for MAY from FIX grand arcade , the month stamp on the pass is so…read morelight , Today I went to FIX grand arcade and spoke directly to the manager . He advised the pass can't be stamped again and I should go back to the train station and get it replaced. Before leaving the FIX grand arcade , I advised the manager to make sure there stamp pad is refilled for next time to avoid this type of inconvenience to their customers . Unfortunately the manager was unhappy with my advise and rudely told me " NEXT TIME YOU GO AND BUY THE MONTHLY PASS AT TRAIN STATION , NOT HERE" :-(

More like Trek Delay…read more We had a booking for 7 people from Wainui (end of the Abel Tasman track) back to Nelson at 1.30pm. The shuttle turned up at 2.10pm and only left at around 2.30pm. Even though we had the 7 of us, it would have been enough for a chartered service, but instead we were provided with a bus shuttle combining to a total of about 30 passengers, many were going to different places (Nelson was the last stop). Our journey that should have been only 2.5 hours took 4 hours long (excluding waiting time). It is also important to note that we were not allowed to eat and drink on the bus, and with the long travel time, it did not make any food stops or toilet stops, not a pleasant experience after a 5 day hike! Trek Express also offers a free luggage storage service, which we saw as a plus when we decided to go with them. However to our horror, our clean bags were returned to us dirty (like people had stepped all over it) and wet. We were not warned about the "free service" and that this should be "expected". My husband's clean clothes were wet as a result. The owner, Rory offered his apologies but was not happy to provide any compensation and simply told us we can choose to go with other shuttle service in the future. His business model seem to run well with one-off foreign customers and so was not worried about customer loyalty. Nelson Lake Shuttle is also run by the same company. I would not recommend Trek Express and Nelson Lake Shuttle.

We are a group of 7 and booked a shuttle with Trekexpress for our Able Tasman hiking track from…read moreNelson to Marahua (start of our track) and return from Wainui to Nelson. Trekexpress also offered a free luggage storage service which we gladly took as some members in our group were travelling elsewhere after the track. The return journey was where the problems started. After 5 days of hiking we were all looking forward to some food and rest. Our shuttle was supposed to pick us up at 1.30pm and by 2.00pm when it still hadn't arrived we were starting to get a bit restless. We called Trekexpress and Rory (the owner) apologised and told us it was a busy day for them and the shuttle should arrive soon. Our transport did arrive about 10 minutes later but to our surprise it was a bus and we could see there was around 20+ other people that were also waiting for the same bus. The whole journey back took over 4 hours with multiple stops (at Marahau, Mapua, Nelson Airport, and once turning back as the driver forgot a passenger). Not only that but when we reached we found that the luggage we left with them which was referred to as a "free luggage storage service" was all dusty and 2 fabric bags with clean clothes got wet along with the clothes inside. In the end a supposedly 2 and a half hour journey took almost 5 hours to complete including the late pick up and along with that, dusty and wet bags we thought would be safely stored for us. Rory was in no mood to compensate us for our time wasted only offering his apologies and saying it was a busy time of the season and if we were not happy to not travel with them again next time. And his explanation for the dusty and wet bags were that it is expected as it was a "free service". The trip back from Trekexpress has left a sour note on what has been an amazing experience for us. I don't know how Rory is able to justify charging $55 a head for the one way trip back for a service that is not chartered and can only be described as worse than any public bus transport. I would advise any other groups that are thinking of travelling with Trekexpress to look elsewhere, you will not be getting a direct service as Rory will try to squeeze as many people in one trip as he can without being transparent as to how many stops there will be and the extra amount of time it will take while still charging a premium price. You will also have to deal with a boss who is not willing to work with his customers to resolve issues brought to his attention and only comes up with silly excuses. He also operates Nelson Lakes Shuttle which for the same price apparently offers a chartered service with the blurb - "You choose where you need to go and when, specific chartered journeys adapted especially for your needs operating to your own schedule, not ours".