Location: Wellington
Top Things to do in Wellington
10 Hiking Trails in Wellington That You Shouldn't Miss
Wellington boasts a compact downtown area that’s easy to explore on foot and a wealth of architectural styles, from 19th-century wooden cottages to Art Deco masterpieces. Discover the city’s Maori roots at the Museum of Wellington City & Sea and the Museum of New Zealand. Sip coffee and people-watch in lively Courtney Place, or survey the city from scenic Mount Victoria. When the sun goes down on Windy Wellington, take a nocturnal tour of Karori Wildlife Sanctuary to meet some colorful inhabitants.
Restaurants in Wellington
1. West Wind Recreation Area
2. Deliverance Cove Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
3. Butcher Track
4. Matiu / Somes Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 249 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Phedder - Invercargill, New Zealand
Excellent day trip from Wellington. It is only a 20 minute trip. Once there it is a nice 75 minute or so walk around the island to see the flora and fauna as well as the history of the island. Well worth a visit.
5. Pencarrow Coastal Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By 184jor
A lovely scenic drive around the coast of wellington took us to Pencarrow Lodge. We were given a delicious morning tea of coffee or tea. Then we had a talk about the farm and their dogs. A demonstration of dogs rounding the sheep up. These dogs are working dogs. One a short haired Border Collie which doesn't bark and a dog that is especially bred to bark and alert others there are sheep in the area. This farm is well worth the visit.
6. Pinnacles Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By familyoffiveonhols - New Zealand, null
The DOC suggest this is as an easy trek, but it is tricky uneven walking which requires some fitness. The ground especially on the stream bed is very uneven and unstable which I suggest wearing sturdy boots to tackle. The trek both up to the top and down in the stream bed are totally worth it. The Pinnacles are incredible to see from both areas.
7. Wellington City Walkways
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By CarolDM1900 - Montpelier, United States
Wellington Walks range far beyond the urban center. Consider Trelissick Park, described in the City Council's brochure as "a unique wilderness close to city center" with a "spectacular expanse of rocky hillsides, valley and stream, including a deep gorge." All of this is true, and you can get to and from here easily on public transportation, taking Metrolink Bus #25 from city center (direction Kandallah) to stop "Kaiwharawara Road/Ngaio Gorge Track) and returning to Wellington Station on the JVL train from Crofton Downs Station, which is mere steps from where you ascend the gorge back to street level. The Kaiwharawhara and Korimako streams run through the bottom of this lush green gorge, filled with native trees, plants, and creatures. Waters are crystal clear, and if you are lucky you will spot some of the immense freshwater longfin eels that thrive here. This endemic species grows big and lives long, 60 years or more, the record being a female thought to be over 100. They're impressive. Bottom line: this is about as a refreshing and restorative a track as you are likely to find in a big urban area like Greater Wellington. It's one of those "hidden gems." Read further for more details on how to get yourself through the gorge, one way, without having to loop back. To traverse the gorge mostly along the streams (with a few uphill sections that briefly veer away from them) you'll be starting on the Ngaio (pronounced Nye-oh) Gorge Track stop of Metrolink Bus #25, near the ruins of a19th c. ammunition storage building. To stay near the water, just continue straight ahead along the banks. You will eventually switch to the Sanctuary-to-Sea Track (also marked with signs for Otari-Wilton's Bush). On that route, you'll see a sign for the Fish Ladder side-trail, a steep down-and-back that will bring you to where the Kaiwharawhara and Korimako streams meet. Pretty sight, with a small, glittery waterfall, so worth the effort. Pretty tricky in places, though, so take care. Continuing on Sanctuary-to-Sea toward Otari-Wilton, you'll begin to ascend from the gorge and will come to the Northern Walkway where you'll see a sign taking you straight ahead on that track (not to the right; note that a nearby sign also marked Northern Walkway will take you on a loop back the way you came). On the last little bit of the track, on the Northern Walkway, you'll ascend to the top of the gorge and see a busy street with a graffiti-covered railroad bridge a very shot distance ahead. Cross under it, and you will find the Crofton Downs RR station on your left. There's a good food truck there if you need something to drink or eat. Trains run every half hour back to central Wellington. Adult fare is NZ$5 (US$3.25), cash only. I mostly run these 3 tracks and, even with stops to enjoy the scenery, it takes me about an hour from beginning to end. I'd say the route is maybe about 4 km/2.5 miles, or at most a bit longer. But it is full of variety, with lush native vegetation including tree ferns, and those qualities attract native birds and butterflies, too. An hour spent here is one of perfect peace and beauty. Highly recommended.
8. Orongorongo Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
9. Rimutaka Rail Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Running from Kaitoke to Summit, the Rimutaka Rail Trail links with the DOC-managed Incline down to Cross Creek in the Wairarapa. A gently graded 18 km walk or mountain bike ride, the Trail features restored railway bridges and historic tunnels (take a torch). Enjoy swimming and fishing in the nearby Pakuratahi River and picnic or camp in the pleasant surrounds of Ladle Bend and Summit.
Reviewed By 391lucindaj
First time that I’ve done the entire trail so much fun the swing bridge at Siberia is fun and the single track at Featherston end is fun goats and all
10. Southern Walkway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By 20carolj - Palmerston North, New Zealand
This is an awesome walk from Oriental Parade along ridgeline town belt down to the southern coast line to Shorland Park Island Bay. Read the maps along the way and follow the pink bollards.Soak up the panoramic views and see across the horizon to South Island. Some sections are steep with steps and seating along the way. This walk takes you to summit of Mt Victoria where there are toilets, but be warned there are no other toilets until Island Bay. Ride the double decker bus back to Oriental Parade- you will need cash or snapper card no eftpos. Parking in Oriental Parade is 2 hours so best to find carpark building cost around $14 for whole day. Or you can choose to begin walk in Island Bay where parking is free. Overall it is 13 km and took us 3 hours with photo stops
