Parks, Walks & Wildlife
Nice and Natural
The South Coast – home to a resident seal colony - is a 10 minute drive from downtown Wellington.
The Wellington Botanic Garden, at the top of the Cable Car, features unique landscapes, native bush and gorgeous specialist gardens.
The Wellington region boasts a diverse range of conservation visitor hot spots within easy reach of Wellington city. Visit marine reserves, wetlands, forests, and island sanctuaries, and see outstanding geological features, heritage sites, and endangered New Zealand wildlife. Coastal and inland tracks offer spectacular views. For more information, check out Wellington/Kapiti region, and Wairarapa region on the Department of Conservation website.
The city’s stunning waterfront offers beautiful views and is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike.
The golden sand Oriental Bay beach is a stone’s throw from the central city and right across the road from great cafés and restaurants.
Make a Day of It
Zealandia: The Karori Sanctuary Experience is a 252 hectare nature reserve just 10 minutes’ drive from downtown Wellington. Be part of an incredible conservation project and have the chance to see kiwi, tuatara and many other iconic critters in their natural environment.
Also doing its bit for the environment, Wellington Zoo is New Zealand’s oldest zoo and the first in the country to become Qualmark Enviro Gold certified. Just outside the central city in Newtown, the zoo is home to cheetahs, giraffes, lions and Tahi, the one legged Kiwi.
Slightly further afield, you’ll find Staglands Wildlife Reserve and Pukaha Mt Bruce. You can also spend a day or night on a natural conservation estate, Kapiti Island.
Keen walkers should also consider Pauatahanui Inlet in Porirua and Otari-Wilton's Bush offers plenty of tracks.
Enjoy a hike!
Wellington is renowned for its compact size. One of the best and easiest ways to explore the city is on foot. There are many different walks you can take, ranging from an hour to a day.
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