Frith’s guidebook: Wellington
Sightseeing
I'm lucky enough to work here! If I have time, I might even be able to take you on a little tour, or at least give you special tips.
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I-Museum yase-New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
55 Cable StI'm lucky enough to work here! If I have time, I might even be able to take you on a little tour, or at least give you special tips.
Best beach for swimming in a northerly, with great views over the South Island and awesome sunsets. Family friendly too. Cold? Well, that goes without saying. It's the South Coast guys!
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Princess Bay
Best beach for swimming in a northerly, with great views over the South Island and awesome sunsets. Family friendly too. Cold? Well, that goes without saying. It's the South Coast guys!
It's a no brainer if you're in town and it's not blowing a northerly. Love the way that, in a matter of metres, the dress code shifts from dresses, suits, and ties to ... well, bugger all! Lots of cafes nearby - and Mt Victoria.
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Oriental Bay
It's a no brainer if you're in town and it's not blowing a northerly. Love the way that, in a matter of metres, the dress code shifts from dresses, suits, and ties to ... well, bugger all! Lots of cafes nearby - and Mt Victoria.
If you want a little local history, this cosy, quirky museum dishes it up nicely.
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I-Museum ka-Wellington
3 Jervois QuayIf you want a little local history, this cosy, quirky museum dishes it up nicely.
Yip, do it, walk up that hill! Great views at the top, and a swimming pool down the bottom. Kids will need to have some puff.
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Mount Kaukau
Yip, do it, walk up that hill! Great views at the top, and a swimming pool down the bottom. Kids will need to have some puff.
Mountain biker? Do it! Also try Makara, Colonial Knob, Miramar, Wainuiomata ... you're spoiled for choice, but Polhill is the closest to the city (unless you're expert enough to ride Mt Vic too).
George Denton Park & Polhill Reserve
Highbury RoadMountain biker? Do it! Also try Makara, Colonial Knob, Miramar, Wainuiomata ... you're spoiled for choice, but Polhill is the closest to the city (unless you're expert enough to ride Mt Vic too).
The view really is worth it. You walk up from town through the bush and come back down via Oriental Bay.
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Mount Victoria Lookout
Lookout RoadThe view really is worth it. You walk up from town through the bush and come back down via Oriental Bay.
This is super close to where we live - just a few min walk up behind the marae. There's also the Tawatawa Reserve bushwalk, and a dog park alongside.
City to Sea Walkway
City to Sea WalkwayThis is super close to where we live - just a few min walk up behind the marae. There's also the Tawatawa Reserve bushwalk, and a dog park alongside.
The next bay over from Island Bay - walk out to The Gap and see the seals. Spectacular on a good day.
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Red Rocks - Pariwhero
The next bay over from Island Bay - walk out to The Gap and see the seals. Spectacular on a good day.
One of the most eclectic spots in Wellington, and just around the bay from where we live. Play mini golf on the craziest course you ever did see, surrounded by surreal sculptures made from found objects. Pretty damn cool!
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Carlucci Land
281 Happy Valley RdOne of the most eclectic spots in Wellington, and just around the bay from where we live. Play mini golf on the craziest course you ever did see, surrounded by surreal sculptures made from found objects. Pretty damn cool!
Worth a day trip over by ferry and a walk around the island. Get a really different perspective on Wellington, and potentially combine with the onward trip to Day's Bay/Eastbourne.
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Matiu / Somes Island
Worth a day trip over by ferry and a walk around the island. Get a really different perspective on Wellington, and potentially combine with the onward trip to Day's Bay/Eastbourne.
Lovely swimming beach, park, cafes, and bushwalks, all just across the harbour from Wellington. You can catch a ferry from the waterfront if you don't have a car.
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Days Bay
Lovely swimming beach, park, cafes, and bushwalks, all just across the harbour from Wellington. You can catch a ferry from the waterfront if you don't have a car.
City/town information
Try the escarpment track from Pukerua Bay to Paekakariki - a half-day walk with sweeping views over the Kapiti Coast. (You can take the train out from Wellington - Kapiti Line. Enjoy a coffee and bite at one of the Paekakariki cafes when you finish.
Paekakariki is a creative, eclectic community with swimming beach, park, mountain biking nearby, etc. Plus my mum lives there!
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Paekakariki
Try the escarpment track from Pukerua Bay to Paekakariki - a half-day walk with sweeping views over the Kapiti Coast. (You can take the train out from Wellington - Kapiti Line. Enjoy a coffee and bite at one of the Paekakariki cafes when you finish.
Paekakariki is a creative, eclectic community with swimming beach, park, mountain biking nearby, etc. Plus my mum lives there!
Neighbourhoods
Island Bay has a beautiful beach, including wharf and raft to jump off, and an area for dogs. A children's park is alongside. Grab fish and chips from the nearby shop. There's also a quirky little aquarium open Sundays 10am to 3pm, and a cool cafe just a short walk around the coast - Beach House. Also try Betsy's in the village, and Brew'd for a beer at the end of a hot day.
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Island Bay
Island Bay has a beautiful beach, including wharf and raft to jump off, and an area for dogs. A children's park is alongside. Grab fish and chips from the nearby shop. There's also a quirky little aquarium open Sundays 10am to 3pm, and a cool cafe just a short walk around the coast - Beach House. Also try Betsy's in the village, and Brew'd for a beer at the end of a hot day.
Food scene
Havana Coffee Works Ltd
163 Tory StGreat coffee, great vibe!
Havana Bar
34 Wigan StGreat music, great vibe!
Milk Crate
35 Ghuznee Stlibrary
This is a favourite for us Te Papa staff - a quiet, friendly cafe where everyone knows your name.
Poquito Cafe and Bar Wellington
11 Tory StThis is a favourite for us Te Papa staff - a quiet, friendly cafe where everyone knows your name.
Midnight Espresso
178 Cuba StIt's been around for ever - for a reason!
Chow Tory
45 Tory StIf you're into Asian fusion.
A slightly classier (but still friendly) breed of cafe experience.
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Nikau Cafe
101 Wakefield StA slightly classier (but still friendly) breed of cafe experience.
Island Bay's very own cinema and cafe/restaurant - a short 5-minute walk from our place.
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Empire Cinema & Eatery
214 The ParadeIsland Bay's very own cinema and cafe/restaurant - a short 5-minute walk from our place.
Another great cinema and cafe just up the hill in Brooklyn.
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Penthouse Cinema & Cafe
205 Ohiro RdAnother great cinema and cafe just up the hill in Brooklyn.
Light House Cuba
29 Wigan StAnd another cool little cinema - this time in town.
My current favourite brewery/bar/restaurant. Awesome, cruisy atmosphere ... and you can take your dog!
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Parrotdog Brewery
66 Kingsford Smith StMy current favourite brewery/bar/restaurant. Awesome, cruisy atmosphere ... and you can take your dog!
Nice, local place for a beer and burger - quiz nights Wed 7.30pm!
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Brew'd Island Bay
163 The ParadeNice, local place for a beer and burger - quiz nights Wed 7.30pm!
Mockingbird
8 Courtenay PlaceCool rooftop bar and vegetarian food, right in the heart of the city.
Dragonfly
70 Courtenay PlThe bar out back is cooler than the restaurant. Great food!
The biggest screen in town, with a cool little cocktail bar underneath.
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BATS Theatre
1 Kent TerraceThe biggest screen in town, with a cool little cocktail bar underneath.
Just around the corner from Island Bay - great place to stop for coffee on a walk.
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The Beach House and Kiosk
410 The EsplanadeJust around the corner from Island Bay - great place to stop for coffee on a walk.
Maranui Cafe
7A Lyall ParadeA retro classic - but you may have to line up on the weekend.
A Maranui-style retro cafe and bar, right on the beach in Petone. Good to combine with a walk (dog beach alongside too). Maybe head out to Day's Bay/Eastbourne afterwards.
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Seashore Cabaret
160 The EsplanadeA Maranui-style retro cafe and bar, right on the beach in Petone. Good to combine with a walk (dog beach alongside too). Maybe head out to Day's Bay/Eastbourne afterwards.
Izeluleko zedolobha
Izindlela zokonga
The best op shops are in Newtown and Miramar!
Try Vinnie's, Sally Army's etc ...