Top Things to do in Greater Wellington
Top 10 Points of Interest & Landmarks in Greater Wellington, North Island
Discover the best top things to do in Greater Wellington, New Zealand including Odell Reserve, Woman of Words, Bells Track Walk, Oriental Terrace Zig Zag, Samuel Oates Gum Tree 1856, Pencarrow Lighthouse, Wright's Hill, Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, Cape Palliser Lighthouse, US Marine Memorial in New Zealand.
Restaurants in Greater Wellington
1. Odell Reserve
2. Woman of Words
3. Bells Track Walk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Charlotteparkerrr
It was a steep walk, but the view at the top was amazing. You could see over to Ohariu Valley, all the way to the South Island, or over into Wellington Harbour. Make sure you pick a day with good weather, as it can get quite windy at the top. I would recommend wearing comfy shoes, athletic wear, and a warm hoodie overtop.
4. Oriental Terrace Zig Zag
5. Samuel Oates Gum Tree 1856
6. Pencarrow Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
At the storm-lashed entrance to Wellington Harbour, New Zealand’s first lighthouse tells stories of early settlement, shipwreck, and one very strong woman. The pilgrimage to Pencarrow Lighthouse makes a memorable day trip from Wellington city or the Hutt Valley. Starting from pretty Eastbourne, it’s a return walk of around four hours, or 1.5 hours on a bicycle (bike hire is available at the gate during summer). The rugged stretch of coastline leading to Pencarrow Head offers spectacular scenery complete with whirling birds and rocky beaches strewn with flotsam. On a blowy day, it’s easy to imagine the danger facing ships passing through the treacherous heads. Interpretation panels illuminate tales of trials and tragedy. The lighthouse has its own captivating story to tell, for not only was it the country’s first permanent lighthouse, it was also home to its first and only female lighthouse keeper – Mrs Mary Jane Bennett.
Reviewed By CarolDM1900 - Montpelier, United States
JUST TO NOTE: reviewer Julie P's posted photos appear to be of the red-striped Cape Palliser Lighthouse, further up the coast, and not the Pencarrow Lighthouse, which is white and located on a cliff overlooking the entrance to Wellington Harbor. That said, views from the high promontories all along this coastline, colorfully and aptly dubbed "The Storm Coast" for the bus tours run by P & O Cruises, are pretty breathtaking. So either way, Cape Palliser or Pencarrow Head, you can't go wrong. There are actually two lighthouses at the harbor entrance: an upper one, built of cast iron in England and shipped in sections for installation atop the cliff east of the harbor entrance in 1859; and a lower one, a secondary lighthouse dating from 1906 on the beach below. The upper one is properly thought of as the main one -- or, if you will, as THE Pencarrow Lighthouse. The footpath leading up to the main light from the coastal road is dotted with interpretive signs giving interesting information on its building, its operation, its light-keepers, and its historical significance. There's a little side track that will take you to the spot where the two-year old daughter of George and Mary Jane Bennett, keepers of an earlier lighthouse on that spot, was buried in 1852. George himself drowned in the harbor in 1855, leaving his widow as the keeper until 1865, when she left for England with her remaining children. The views of Cook Strait, the high mountain ranges of the South Island 50 or 60 miles distant, and the south coast of greater Wellington between Baring Head and Devil's Gate are impressive. If you're lucky, you may also see schools of dolphins leaping in the strait, or even the occasional whale. Because there is a vast lakes area (the Parangarahu Lakes, comprising Lake Kohangapiripiri and Lake Kohangatera) in the interior, connected to the lighthouse trail by well-signed hiking tracks, you can walk quite far inland to get stunning pictures of Pencarrow Light from afar, delightfully showing its prominence in a large, natural context. You can also use those tracks to re-connect with the coastal road further up Cook Strait, then walk back around the promontory from the other side for some splendid views pictures of the two lighthouses in a ruggedly beautiful setting. If you are interested in experiencing and/or photographing those larger views, you may wish to read my recent review of East Harbour Regional Park, under the title "Heading to Old Pencarrow Lighthouse? Explore Vast Lakes District Right Nearby." There are considerable distances involved here, and no real shelter, so if you decide to come to Pencarrow, be sure to get up-to-the-minute weather information. Conditions can change very rapidly, as attested by the number of shipwrecks recorded right here, including the 1968 sinking of the ferry "Wahine" with the loss of 51 lives. Fierce winds can arise suddenly, and temperatures can plummet as weather degrades. But on a balmy day, with gentle winds and lots of sunshine, a visit here just cannot be beat. Make sure bring water, as none is available at the lighthouse. Highly recommended.
7. Wright's Hill
8. Nga Taonga Sound & Vision
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision is New Zealand’s audiovisual archive. The archive cares for an ever-growing collection of films, radio, television, sound recordings, props and documents spanning 120 years of Aotearoa’s sound and moving image history. The Archive is now located in the National Library Building on Molesworth Street. Our desk and viewing spaces are open 10am – 4:30pm on the first floor of the National Library.
9. Cape Palliser Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 202 reviews
Reviewed By NatashaB2803 - Auckland, New Zealand
Awesome views and loved seeing all the seals ???????????????? was a highlight. Recommend going on a full tank on gas must do after the pinnacles .. take a pin I lunch or visit the light house cafe for fish chips, cuppa or a beer .. camping grounds and cabins available near by.. beautiful Nz coast at its best.
10. US Marine Memorial in New Zealand
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By jilld68 - Porirua, New Zealand
Always worth a stop when visiting QEII park, plenty of parking, and lots to do in the vicinity. The exhibition is really well presented and has lots of interesting information. Quite a simple format, but effective.
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