What better way to de-stress than to become one with nature? The Wellington Botanic Gardens gives you 25 hectares of greenery and vibrant flora for you to do just that. One of the oldest botanic gardens in the country to date, this garden is a combination of ancient woods and beautiful blossoms. When visiting in spring, you can gawk at the stunning display of tulips, or frantically snap photos of the Rose garden in all its glory during the summer. Walk past some of the oldest exotic trees in all of New Zealand, or if you want to get to places with the wind whipping past you, hop onto a bicycle and traverse the park.

Let your children run about at the playground and meander along the well-paved paths, admiring the well-conserved shrubbery. Here, you can also find a Victorian-style glasshouse, and if you’re lucky enough to be around at night, the uncountable glow worms who light up the area with their neon yellow. Keep an eye out for the man-made wonders in the form of sculptures and carving by various artists like Henry Moore and Chris Booth. When you need a break from the hubbub of the city, this is definitely the place to be!