WellingtonLocations directory
The screen location of Oriental Bay, wth pastel-coloured, Art Deco apartments, brightly-painted boat sheds, and the golden beach.

This inner-city beach is one of the capital’s best features, sitting along the Wellington waterfront.

With its pastel-coloured, Art Deco apartments, brightly-painted boat sheds, and of course the golden beach, Oriental Bay is a hot spot when the sun comes out in the capital. 

Originally called Duppa, after its first resident, it was later renamed Oriental Bay after the ship, The Oriental, that had brought the resident to Wellington. 

Colonial settlement of the area started to grow in the 1880s. By the turn of the century Te Aro Baths (rebuilt into Freyberg Pool in the 1960s) had been installed.

The Carter Fountain, in the middle of the bay, was a gift to the city in 1973 by resident Hugh Carter. Unfortunately, Carter drowned just days after the fountain’s installation.

In the 2000s, the beach was enlarged with sand from Golden Bay. Development of the Freyberg Beach grass area also took place, adding a playground.

Now, the wide promenade is a popular cycling, running and dog walking route at all times of the year. During summer, the bay is bustling with people enjoying the beach, fitness activities, and nearby places to eat. 

Oriental Bay has featured in many movies, television shows, and commercials, owing to its versatility.

Location details

Jurisdiction Wellington City Council
Permits required Yes, apply for a permit
Location descriptors Bays, beaches, boardwalks, boathouses, boat sheds, roads, rock formations, sea, ocean, sand, coastal walks, ocean views.
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Ngauranga train station

Ngauranga Train Station

Hutt Road, Ngauranga, Wellington | 51A single island train platform for commuter rail, sitting north of Wellington city on the edge of the rugged coastline.

The small, charming town of Featherston for a screen location. With the backdrop of the Remutaka Range and 19th-century buildings.

Featherston

Featherston, Wairarapa | 307Featherston is a small town in the Wairarapa region. The Remutaka Range creates a lush backdrop for the town, which sits in the foothills.

The screen location of Tākina, the large convention centre with unique designs and large open industrial feeling spaces.

Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre

50 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington | 71Inspired by the city’s dramatic landscape and environment, Wellington’s purpose-built convention centre is a blank canvas for filming.

Masterton Town Hall is an old stone building.

Masterton

Masterton, Wairarapa | 308Founded in 1854, Masterton is the largest town in the Wairarapa region, servicing the surrounding farmland. It has many historic buildings throughout the town.

The screen location of Greytown, a historic small town featuring Victorian buildings, stables, colonial cottages, and rural landscapes surrounding.

Greytown

Greytown, Wairarapa | 309Greytown is a historic small town in the Wairarapa region. It has Victorian buildings lining the main street and was once named the most beautiful town.

The mix of modern and old buildings along Lambton Quay, including the old supreme court, and old bank.

Lambton Quay

Lambton Quay, Wellington | 315Lambton Quay is the heart of the central business district of Wellington, with many offices and shops lining the street.

People walking down Cuba Street, past the Bucket Fountain, an iconic kinetic sculpture.

Cuba Street

Te Aro, Wellington | 313Cuba Street is one of the best-known streets in Wellington. The vibrant street has many heritage buildings, with shops and hospitality.

The Taitā Rock swimming hole in Lower Hutt, with lush green bush surrounding a blue river and large pebbles on the shore.

Taitā Rock

High Street, Taitā, Lower Hutt | 90For decades, the Taitā rock area of Hutt River has been a popular swimming hole. It is only a short drive from Wellington city.

This clothing-optional beach is a good spot for scenic walks and wildlife spotting. At the western entrance of Wellington Harbour, picturesque Breaker Bay beach is part of the Oruaiti Reserve.

Breaker Bay

Seatoun, Wellington | 88Breaker Bay is a clothing-optional beach and a good spot for scenic walks and wildlife spotting for penguins, dolphins, and orcas.

A site of significant conservation value, the estuary is easily accessible in Porirua. A 30-minute drive from the capital, the Pāuatahanui Inlet is a large estuary surrounded by a wildlife reserve.

Pāuatahanui Inlet

Pāuatahanui, Porirua | 85Pāuatahanui Inlet is a site of significant conservation value, the large estuary is surrounded by a wildlife reserve and is easily accessible in Porirua.