Wellington’s central district has a range of good accommodation that places you easily within walking distance of its heritage, cultural and entertainment attractions.

The convenience of being close to all the action makes it worthwhile to book well in advance and secure a bed in the downtown area.

A number of comfortable mid-range hotels are well placed around the CBD, most within a short walk of the popular waterfront esplanade that runs from Queens Wharf to the Te Papa museum. The Novatel Wellington is one of the best. Others close to the city’s heart are the Quality Hotel, Abel Tasman, Hotel Ibis, Mercure Hotel, Intercontinental and the Museum Hotel de Wheels. Nightly tariffs range from $90 to $250 (for two people). The Courtenay Quarter also offers the choice of luxury apartments at a similar price range with the advantage of close proximity to Te Papa and Oriental Bay.

There are a few motels in good locations in the city centre, providing the option of being self-contained and preparing your own meals. Advance bookings are essential in the busy summer months (December to February).

Guesthouses and homestays are quite plentiful and provide a great way to get in touch with Kiwis and the New Zealand lifestyle. They are often grouped under Bed and Breakfast establishments in accommodation handbooks. The best selection can be found in areas like Mt Victoria and Thorndon, often set amongst charming and historic Victorian residences. Some examples are the Mermaid in Epuni Street, Talavera on Talavera Terrace and Tinakori Lodge on Tinakori Road.

Hostels are very conveniently situated in downtown areas and offer cheap accommodation in dormitories (around $20) or double and single rooms ($40-70). Some of the popular hostels are; Downtown Backpackers in Bunny Street, Wildlife House in Tory Street, World Wide on The Terrace, Lodge in the City in Taranaki Street and Cambridge Hotel in Cambridge Terrace.

Wellington has only one camping ground within the city limits, which is located at Rowena’s Lodge in Broughan Street, otherwise the other camping grounds and cabins are at Hutt Park in Lower Hutt. Other camping sites are located in Upper Hutt, and at Paekakariki and Parparaumu on the Kapiti Coast.