Wellington Cruises

Zealandia Sanctuary
Wonderful Wellington Garden and Museum
In the Footsteps of the Lord of the Rings

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Wellington

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The port of Wellington, on North Island’s southernmost point, is New Zealand’s vibrant capital city. This MSC World Cruise destination boasts a cosmopolitan centre with a spirited atmosphere and a unique cultural history. Overlooking glorious Cook Strait, Wellington is known for its beautiful beaches, colourful wooden houses, and scenic waterfront promenade. It also acts as the perfect launch pad for an adventurous day out thanks to nearby attractions and landmarks.
  
MSC Cruises excursions offer plenty of exciting things to see including:
 
• Zealandia Sanctuary
• Wonderful Wellington Garden and Museum
• In the Footsteps of the Lord of the Rings

Zealandia Sanctuary is the world’s first fully-fenced urban eco-sanctuary, dedicated to the conservation and protection of New Zealand’s diverse flora and fauna. On an MSC Cruises excursion, you’ll discover this vast natural reserve where vulnerable native species are protected and reintroduced into the wild. Enjoy a guided tour to learn more about the region’s unique plants and wildlife, including frogs, ferns, birds, invertebrates, and reptiles.
 
Fall in love with the beautiful 150-year-old Wellington Botanic Garden, which boasts 25 hectares of plant species from all over the world. A relaxing MSC Cruises excursion will see you strolling along the park’s attractive path network, surrounded by conifers, seasonal displays, and protected native forests. Next, sample New Zealand’s colourful culture at the fascinating Wellington Museum. Here, you’ll learn about the capital’s maritime past and its Māori and European history. 
 
So incredible are the landscapes of New Zealand that renowned film directors have chosen them as locations for their movies. On an MSC Cruises excursion, you’ll visit sets featured in the Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings film trilogy, helmed by cinematic master Peter Jackson. Next, stop by Wellington’s Weta Workshop, a special effects and props company that has worked on the Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Afterwards, enjoy a guide’s fascinating stories about filmmaking as you travel to ‘Wellywood’ located in Miramar, New Zealand.

Must see places in Wellington

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    New Zealand

    Kiwi spotting in a land of pioneers and adventurers
    Kiwi spotting in a land of pioneers and adventurers

    New Zealand lies in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, in Oceania.

    It is made up of two main islands: North Island and South Island, as well as numerous smaller islands such as the Chatham Islands. It is a sparsely populated country, full of surprises, rich in natural beauty and vast landscapes. 
     
    A visit to the capital Wellington is a must; a lively and fun city with street musicians and colourful markets. However, New Zealand’s largest city is actually Auckland. Known as the “City of Sails” because of its strong links with the sea and all the activities connected to it, the city enjoys a privileged location between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea. 
     
    A visit to the Sky Tower is a must: from a height of 328 metres you can enjoy a wonderful view that extends for 80 kilometres. Half an hour from the city there are the forests of the Waitakere Ranges, where you can see thousand year old Kauri trees which have trunks with a diameter of several meters, and Piha, which will enchant you with its black volcanic sand beach, a popular destination for surfers from all over the world.