Things to Do in Wellington

Otari-Wilton's Bush is a botanical garden in Wellington dedicated solely to New Zealand native plants. We offer forest tracks, picnic areas, and guided walks, alongside a visitor centre. Our garden is part of the Wellington Gardens network, which also includes the Wellington Botanic Garden and Truby King House and Garden.

We're a hiking area in Wellington.

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is a wildlife refuge in Wellington, home to many of Aotearoa New Zealand's rarest wildlife. Our fully-fenced sanctuary protects birds, reptiles, fish, and insects within a regenerating forest, just minutes from the city. We are open every day except Christmas Day, offering general admission and guided tours. Visitors can find information on tracks, events, activities, and seasonal highlights to plan their visit. We also provide a café and facilities for hosting events in our unique setting. Our team works to restore Aotearoa New Zealand's extraordinary wildlife.

Makara Beach Walkway is a hiking area in Wellington. Our loop walk climbs to vantage points with expansive views, offering glimpses of farmland, the beach, and historic gun emplacements. We provide an advanced tramping track that returns along the beach, starting and ending at Mākara Beach.

Skyline Walkway Trailhead - Makara Saddle is a hiking area in Wellington offering an 18-kilometer dual-use track along Wellington's ridge tops, which can be completed in stages. Our route follows the Outer Green Belt onto Mount Kaukau, the Crow's Nest, Kilmister Tops, and Johnston Hill. We provide clear directional markers, and the track offers views of the Kaikoura ranges, Marlborough Sounds, Wellington city and harbour, and the Tararua and Orongorongo ranges on clear days.

Tawatawa Reserve is a nature reserve in Wellington covering 64 hectares. We feature regenerating native bush, wetlands, walking and biking tracks, a native tree nursery, and an off-leash dog exercise area between Kingston and Ōwhiro Bay.

Roseneath Park & Lookout is a playground in Roseneath. Our park features Wellington's steepest slide, along with swings and other equipment.

We're a park in Wellington.

Red Rocks - Seals is a nature preserve in Wellington that offers an easy coastal walk to red-coloured rock formations, formed 200 million years ago, and a fur seal colony at Sinclair Head. The area holds national significance with fascinating geology and Māori history, including folklore regarding the rocks' red colour. From May to October, the colony is populated by bachelor male New Zealand fur seals. Historic gun emplacements and lookouts from 1900s wars are also found along the walk.

Northern Walkway trailhead - Johnsonville is a hiking area in Wellington. We offer a 14.9-kilometre walk that takes at least four hours to complete and follows the outer Green Belt. The walkway connects to the Town Belt in Te Ahumairangi Hill (Tinakori Hill) and reaches Kelburn. Our walkway highlights include 360-degree views of the city, harbour, mountain ranges, and the sea. You can also explore abandoned tunnels and the city's oldest reserve along the path. The walkway is steep in some places but is not difficult overall.

Princess Beach is an outdoor beach in Roseneath. We offer a stretch of white sand and clear waters.

Scorching Bay Beach is a beach in Wellington. We are a sandy inner-harbour bathing beach with a large grassed area, sheltered from the northerly wind.

Eastern Walkway is an outdoors experience in Wellington extending along the southern end of Miramar Peninsula from Tarakena Bay to the Pass of Branda. Our track is 2.5 km long and includes seats and picnic spots along the route. We also offer an additional walk to Oruaiti (Point Dorset) to explore World War II gun batteries and observation posts. Along the way, we feature Māori historical sites, the Ataturk Memorial, and views of Wellington Harbour.

Breaker Bay is a beach in Wellington. We are located at the western entrance of Wellington Harbour, offering opportunities for walking, picnicking, and watching ships.

We're a nature preserve in Wellington.

Tip Track is an outdoor trail in Wellington within Te Kopahou Reserve. We offer a route with a steep ascent, elevation changes, and exposed ridgelines.

Wrights Hill Reserve is a park in Wellington, offering 360-degree views of Wellington and regenerating native bush. We have extensive WWII fortifications and tracks for walking and mountain biking.

Skyline Walkway trailhead - Old Coach Road is a hiking area in Wellington. Our track is an 18-kilometer dual-use path, running north and south between Erlestoke Crescent in Churton Park and Makara Saddle in Karori, which can be completed in stages. We offer an experience that traverses Wellington's ridge tops, following the Outer Green Belt onto Mount Kaukau, the Crow's Nest, Kilmister Tops, and Johnston Hill. On clear days, our route provides views of the Kaikoura ranges, the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington city and harbor, and the Tararua and Orongorongo ranges. Our walkway is marked with purple directional markers, guiding visitors along the track. Dogs are permitted on leads outside designated exercise areas.

Wellington Marina Berths is a marina in Wellington, offering floating berths for vessels up to 20 meters in length. We provide 185 berths, ranging from 10 to 20 meters, situated on Clyde Quay Wharf. Our marina offers water and power facilities at all berths, along with an onshore sewage pump, car parks, toilets, showers, and washing machines. We also feature well-lit piers with controlled access and night-time security. Located in the heart of the city, our marina provides easy access to cafes, restaurants, bars, museums, and shopping within walking distance of the central business district.

Oku Street Reserve is a nature preserve in Wellington. Our 8-hectare park is situated on a promontory between Island Bay and Ōwhiro Bay.

Hauora Reserve is a hiking area in Wellington. We offer public access to trails and outdoor spaces managed by the Wellington City Council, providing opportunities for active recreation among nature.

Te Ahumairangi Hill is a nature preserve in Wellington. Our hill runs for over 100 hectares through the Town Belt, offering a network of trails for walking and biking, a lookout, and a picnic area.

Wellington Botanic Garden is a botanic garden in Wellington. Our 61-acre garden was planted in 1868, featuring native bush, a tropical greenhouse, and seasonal beds.

Taputeranga Marine Reserve is a nature preserve in Wellington. Our 855-hectare marine reserve, established in 2008, is located just 6 km from Wellington's city center, offering easy access for various water activities. We provide opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and tide pooling, as well as walking along the coastline. Our reserve is home to over 180 recorded fish species, including octopus, rock lobsters, crabs, and starfish.