Val’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Situated in the middle of Wellington's stunning harbour, you can wander amidst native plant and birdlife while tracing the island's extraordinary history - formerly an enemy alien internment camp and quarantine station, the island was also once home to Maori and has two Pa site.
The views from all over the easy walking tracks on the island are unsurpassed - allow 2-3 hours exploring.
There are no catering outlets so take food and water.
Facilities include bathrooms and a visitor centre.
The island can be accessed on The Dominion Post ferry which runs daily.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Matiu / Somes Island
Situated in the middle of Wellington's stunning harbour, you can wander amidst native plant and birdlife while tracing the island's extraordinary history - formerly an enemy alien internment camp and quarantine station, the island was also once home to Maori and has two Pa site.
The views from all over the easy walking tracks on the island are unsurpassed - allow 2-3 hours exploring.
There are no catering outlets so take food and water.
Facilities include bathrooms and a visitor centre.
The island can be accessed on The Dominion Post ferry which runs daily.
Pencarrow Lighthouse
Historic settlers track with fantastic views. This easy bike ride was originally an important route for first settlers to access the neighbouring Wairarapa region. Discover New Zealand's first lighthouse, shipwrecks and the beautiful Kohangapiripiri and Kohangatera Lakes.
Scenic ride with views of the stunning south coast and South Island. Ride past a New Zealand fur seal colony.
Distance: 16 km.
Ride: 1.5 hours return.
Walk: 4 hours return.
Parangarahu Lakes - Carry on past the lighthouses to wetlands and ride or walk the lake loops.
Distance: 22km
Ride: 2 hours return
Walk: 5 hours
Catch the number 83 bus to the Eastbourne bus terminus, then walk for 5 minutes to Burdans Gate.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pencarrow Lighthouse
Pencarrow Lighthouse
Historic settlers track with fantastic views. This easy bike ride was originally an important route for first settlers to access the neighbouring Wairarapa region. Discover New Zealand's first lighthouse, shipwrecks and the beautiful Kohangapiripiri and Kohangatera Lakes.
Scenic ride with views of the stunning south coast and South Island. Ride past a New Zealand fur seal colony.
Distance: 16 km.
Ride: 1.5 hours return.
Walk: 4 hours return.
Parangarahu Lakes - Carry on past the lighthouses to wetlands and ride or walk the lake loops.
Distance: 22km
Ride: 2 hours return
Walk: 5 hours
Catch the number 83 bus to the Eastbourne bus terminus, then walk for 5 minutes to Burdans Gate.
Days Bay is a residential area in Lower Hutt in the Wellington Region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is walled on three sides by steep bush-clad slopes.
A very popular beach for swimming.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Days Bay
Days Bay is a residential area in Lower Hutt in the Wellington Region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is walled on three sides by steep bush-clad slopes.
A very popular beach for swimming.
Situated on the shores of Wellington harbour, the Petone Settlers Museum Te Whare Whakaaro occupies one of New Zealand’s most significant memorial buildings, the Wellington Provincial Memorial.
Brand new interactive exhibitions and activities have been created for visitors to enjoy. ‘Haere Mai’ explores past and present arrivals, ‘Borough of Petone’ offers a more contemporary look at local life and industry, and returning by popular demand, a replica of a ship’s steerage has been built so visitors can experience the conditions that European settlers endured in 1840.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Petone Settlers Museum
160 The EsplanadeSituated on the shores of Wellington harbour, the Petone Settlers Museum Te Whare Whakaaro occupies one of New Zealand’s most significant memorial buildings, the Wellington Provincial Memorial.
Brand new interactive exhibitions and activities have been created for visitors to enjoy. ‘Haere Mai’ explores past and present arrivals, ‘Borough of Petone’ offers a more contemporary look at local life and industry, and returning by popular demand, a replica of a ship’s steerage has been built so visitors can experience the conditions that European settlers endured in 1840.
Staglands Wildlife Reserve offers a unique experience for people of all ages to feed and freely interact with a wide range of native and exotic birds and animals
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Reserva de Vida Silvestre y Cafetería Staglands
2362 Akatarawa RdStaglands Wildlife Reserve offers a unique experience for people of all ages to feed and freely interact with a wide range of native and exotic birds and animals
Running alongside the Hutt River from Hikoikoi Reserve, Petone to Birchville, Upper Hutt, the 29km Hutt River Trail is an easy scenic walk and cycle path.
It also allows access to the river for swimming, fishing and kayaking. Predominantly flat, the Hutt River Trail offers very easy tracks and pathways suitable for biking, walking, and pushchairs.
Hutt River Trail (Taita)
Taita DriveRunning alongside the Hutt River from Hikoikoi Reserve, Petone to Birchville, Upper Hutt, the 29km Hutt River Trail is an easy scenic walk and cycle path.
It also allows access to the river for swimming, fishing and kayaking. Predominantly flat, the Hutt River Trail offers very easy tracks and pathways suitable for biking, walking, and pushchairs.
This is a beautiful area to explore if you are visiting in Wellington. Stunning little spot close to the main road. Lots of small walks up the hills from here. I highly recommend the waterfall track, takes about 10 minutes to get to the very picturesque cascade waterfall.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Percy Scenic Reserve
5 Dowse DrThis is a beautiful area to explore if you are visiting in Wellington. Stunning little spot close to the main road. Lots of small walks up the hills from here. I highly recommend the waterfall track, takes about 10 minutes to get to the very picturesque cascade waterfall.
This is not for the weak or unfit, you have been warned. Takes about 30 minutes to get to the top and the view is spectacular, quite a reward.
You need to be very careful coming back down due to it being so steep, combined with loose rock.
If you love a workout and a challenge this is a must do.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Te Whiti Riser
Riverside DriveThis is not for the weak or unfit, you have been warned. Takes about 30 minutes to get to the top and the view is spectacular, quite a reward.
You need to be very careful coming back down due to it being so steep, combined with loose rock.
If you love a workout and a challenge this is a must do.
Food scene
Zany Zeus is a boutique cheese making operation which specialises in handcrafted cheeses utilising traditional open vat techniques.
They also make premium ice cream using fresh organic milk and organic cream. There's a unique range of flavours to try including cookies and cream, monkey poo, Greek yoghurt lemon curd, feijoa, chocolate rough, Ghana chocolate and many more.
Try the chocolate cake Scarlet Johansson made famous by saying, "It was the best piece of chocolate cake I've had in my entire life".
Zany Zeus also stock a delicious selection of sandwiches and bread.
The store is open from 8am to 5pm, Wednesday to Saturday, and Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zany Zeus Ltd
149 Randwick RdZany Zeus is a boutique cheese making operation which specialises in handcrafted cheeses utilising traditional open vat techniques.
They also make premium ice cream using fresh organic milk and organic cream. There's a unique range of flavours to try including cookies and cream, monkey poo, Greek yoghurt lemon curd, feijoa, chocolate rough, Ghana chocolate and many more.
Try the chocolate cake Scarlet Johansson made famous by saying, "It was the best piece of chocolate cake I've had in my entire life".
Zany Zeus also stock a delicious selection of sandwiches and bread.
The store is open from 8am to 5pm, Wednesday to Saturday, and Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
A great little casual Chinese restaurant that's one of the best in the area with a varied menu including dumplings, Peking duck & cumin lamb. Well priced and good size portions. Fully licensed or BYO.
Be sure to book as it can be rather busy Ph 04 568 9308 or go to their website https://jis.kitchen and book on-line.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mr Ji's Kitchen
88 Jackson StA great little casual Chinese restaurant that's one of the best in the area with a varied menu including dumplings, Peking duck & cumin lamb. Well priced and good size portions. Fully licensed or BYO.
Be sure to book as it can be rather busy Ph 04 568 9308 or go to their website https://jis.kitchen and book on-line.
Amazing cafe on Petone foreshore for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Living wage employer serving fine food and the best organic and Fairtrade Good Fortune coffee! A true feast for the eyes and tastebuds!
You can sit outside and look out over Wellington Harbour.
32 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Seashore Cabaret
160 The EsplanadeAmazing cafe on Petone foreshore for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Living wage employer serving fine food and the best organic and Fairtrade Good Fortune coffee! A true feast for the eyes and tastebuds!
You can sit outside and look out over Wellington Harbour.
Attached to the Dowse Art Museum, Bellbird Eatery offers crafted foods from local and organic produce. Good coffee and house made baking in the morning, sit outside for lunch and savour gourmet pizzas and light flavoursome bites, or go in the evening to dine on their seasonal menu over a cold craft beer, or wine.
Bellbird Eatery
Attached to the Dowse Art Museum, Bellbird Eatery offers crafted foods from local and organic produce. Good coffee and house made baking in the morning, sit outside for lunch and savour gourmet pizzas and light flavoursome bites, or go in the evening to dine on their seasonal menu over a cold craft beer, or wine.
Located in the heart of Petone, The Speight’s Ale House brings the strong traditions of legendary Southern Hospitality to the Hutt Valley.
They offer a friendly and warm atmosphere, and are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
There is plenty of space for lunch groups and children are always welcome.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Speight's Ale House, Petone
81 Jackson StLocated in the heart of Petone, The Speight’s Ale House brings the strong traditions of legendary Southern Hospitality to the Hutt Valley.
They offer a friendly and warm atmosphere, and are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
There is plenty of space for lunch groups and children are always welcome.
Locally owned and operated with authentic Italian Cuisine. A place where you can meet, eat and shop.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Bella Italia
10 Nevis StLocally owned and operated with authentic Italian Cuisine. A place where you can meet, eat and shop.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Honest Vietnamese cuisine served in a fabulous enviroment.
Great food, great service.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Restaurant 88
88 Tory StHonest Vietnamese cuisine served in a fabulous enviroment.
Great food, great service.
Going to the Sunday market is a must if you are visiting Wellington. The array of food trucks and the sea of fresh vegetables , fruit and flowers is wonderful. Several buskers add to the lovely vibe the market has. Great place just to people and dog watch.
Wonderful to watch the interactions between all the different food truck owners and those sampling their cuisine....there is something for everyone.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Harbourside Market Wellington
Cable StreetGoing to the Sunday market is a must if you are visiting Wellington. The array of food trucks and the sea of fresh vegetables , fruit and flowers is wonderful. Several buskers add to the lovely vibe the market has. Great place just to people and dog watch.
Wonderful to watch the interactions between all the different food truck owners and those sampling their cuisine....there is something for everyone.
Art & Culture
Located in central Lower Hutt the The Dowse Art Museum has an international reputation for providing visitors with free entry to ever changing contemporary exhibition programmes and offering a fine world-class experience into contemporary national and international art and culture.
It has a beautiful children's area upstairs providing colouring supplies, a puppet show and books, this is a gallery for the whole family.
On-site licensed café
Free Wi-Fi
Open Monday to Sunday 10am-5pm
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Dowse Art Museum and Dowse Square
45 Laings RdLocated in central Lower Hutt the The Dowse Art Museum has an international reputation for providing visitors with free entry to ever changing contemporary exhibition programmes and offering a fine world-class experience into contemporary national and international art and culture.
It has a beautiful children's area upstairs providing colouring supplies, a puppet show and books, this is a gallery for the whole family.
On-site licensed café
Free Wi-Fi
Open Monday to Sunday 10am-5pm
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand's national museum, located in Wellington. Known as Te Papa, or 'Our Place', it opened in 1998 after the merging of the National Museum and the National Art Gallery. More than 1.5 million people visit every year.
This is a fantastic place to visit with ever changing exhibitions, a must see.
142 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
55 Cable StThe Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand's national museum, located in Wellington. Known as Te Papa, or 'Our Place', it opened in 1998 after the merging of the National Museum and the National Art Gallery. More than 1.5 million people visit every year.
This is a fantastic place to visit with ever changing exhibitions, a must see.
Light House Cinema is an independent, locally run, Wellington business. Starting from small beginnings, they have steadily grown to become one of the capital’s favourite film going locations.
They show a diverse range of applauded independent films and some brilliant blockbusters too. Always looking for quality of genre, they take the guess work out of film choice.
Unwind in their comfortable foyers with great coffee, fresh food, boutique beers and fine wines. Then sit back and relax in the cosy cinemas as they show you the world.
Light House Cinema. Escape from the Everyday.
https://www.lighthousecinema.co.nz
35 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Light House Petone
52 Beach StLight House Cinema is an independent, locally run, Wellington business. Starting from small beginnings, they have steadily grown to become one of the capital’s favourite film going locations.
They show a diverse range of applauded independent films and some brilliant blockbusters too. Always looking for quality of genre, they take the guess work out of film choice.
Unwind in their comfortable foyers with great coffee, fresh food, boutique beers and fine wines. Then sit back and relax in the cosy cinemas as they show you the world.
Light House Cinema. Escape from the Everyday.
https://www.lighthousecinema.co.nz
Join the original Weta Cave Workshop Tour and get a unique behind-the-scenes look at how Weta Workshop helps to craft physical effects and create movie-making magic for some of the world’s biggest films! We can’t take you inside the Workshop itself, but you can be sure we’ll get you as close as possible to where all the magic happens.
57 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Weta Workshop
21 Camperdown RdJoin the original Weta Cave Workshop Tour and get a unique behind-the-scenes look at how Weta Workshop helps to craft physical effects and create movie-making magic for some of the world’s biggest films! We can’t take you inside the Workshop itself, but you can be sure we’ll get you as close as possible to where all the magic happens.
The hub for art-life in New Zealand’s capital, City Gallery Wellington is a contemporary art gallery with a dynamic programme of exhibitions and events, and an international reputation.
The exhibitions are both challenging and inspiring, making this a gallery very worth a visit. Be sure to check out the famous Nikau Gallery Café located in the gallery building too.
72 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
City Gallery Wellington
The hub for art-life in New Zealand’s capital, City Gallery Wellington is a contemporary art gallery with a dynamic programme of exhibitions and events, and an international reputation.
The exhibitions are both challenging and inspiring, making this a gallery very worth a visit. Be sure to check out the famous Nikau Gallery Café located in the gallery building too.
Shopping
Queensgate Shopping Centre is a medium sized shopping centre in central Lower Hutt. The centre first opened in 1986, and underwent a large scale redevelopment that was completed in August 2006. The centre features over 130 speciality stores.
57 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Queensgate Shopping Centre
Bunny StreetQueensgate Shopping Centre is a medium sized shopping centre in central Lower Hutt. The centre first opened in 1986, and underwent a large scale redevelopment that was completed in August 2006. The centre features over 130 speciality stores.
Happy to lend itself to somewhat of a bohemian feel, you’ll find vintage shops galore on Cuba, alongside the abundance of world class cafés, restaurants and bars.
On any given day you’ll see buskers playing instruments, flash mobs dancing to Spanish music and small children engrossed in the bucket fountain water feature that marks the city’s innermost playground.
A neighbourhood for any time, you’d be forgiven for eating, sleeping, drinking and dancing all in the perimeter of Cuba Street and not feeling like you’re missing anything at all.
170 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cuba Street
151 Cuba StHappy to lend itself to somewhat of a bohemian feel, you’ll find vintage shops galore on Cuba, alongside the abundance of world class cafés, restaurants and bars.
On any given day you’ll see buskers playing instruments, flash mobs dancing to Spanish music and small children engrossed in the bucket fountain water feature that marks the city’s innermost playground.
A neighbourhood for any time, you’d be forgiven for eating, sleeping, drinking and dancing all in the perimeter of Cuba Street and not feeling like you’re missing anything at all.
Travel
All trains stop at Waterloo Train Station.
A lot of free parking.
For more information, you can go to https://www.metlink.org.nz/
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Waterloo Station
All trains stop at Waterloo Train Station.
A lot of free parking.
For more information, you can go to https://www.metlink.org.nz/