Zealandia and A guided Windy Wellington Tour

Day 3 And Wellington is Windy and overcast - living up to its windy reputation we are not to be deterred and the tour continues with a trip to Zealandia planned, with a stroll down for cofffe and a bacon and egg wrap it’s onto the courtesy bus and the climb up to Zealandia - This an eco sanctuary park for NZ bird life and is very active in the regeneration of endangered species. Although difficult at times to spot the small birds the walk and environment is very special meandering

through a heavily wooded stream to a distant dam the steep valleys and thick growth are like rainforest country and just a stones throw from Wellington is like being in another world. I get the brief that pre human NZ was one big Bird Sanctuary with no real predators for the birds and since mans arrival with mammals the local bird habitat had been decimated with many species now extinct but with these Sanctuaries the numbers are increasing. We got to see large brown parrots and small Robins feeding and a pleather of unknown birds. The park is beautiful the walk very nice and a step back to how nature should be.
With our morning complete it’s back down to Wellington for some lunch, we split up for lunch Melissa seeking out a vegetarian cafe she has been eying off and for me to my favourite Irish pub for a Murphy Stout and some Irish fare!
The afternoon we team up with our original driver who drove us

from the airport and hire his services for a three hour driving guided tour of Wellington and its coastal surroundings- what a terrific afternoon taking in the the city sights including Parliament House, Old and New St Paul’s Churches, Victoria University, The Cake Tin (home of the rugby team The Hurricanes) Mt Victoria, but the real highlight was the coastal drive around the South taking in the high sheer cliffs which rise from the waters edge on both sides of the Channel and the houses hanging from their lofty perches a view from all angles of this beautiful city and rugged coastline.
With our time in Wellington drawing to a close it’s onto the airport and a quick flight down to Blenhiem on the South Island were we are greeted by our beautiful hosts Joss and Ross at the airport and our holiday continues.