Lower Hutt is a diverse and energetic city with a big green backyard. A short drive from Wellington City, you’ll find sprawling regional parks, rugged coastlines, and quaint seaside villages.

The sheltered bays of Eastbourne and Days Bay contrast against the wild coast of Wainuiomata. Petone offers international cuisine and eclectic boutiques.

Lower Hutt is home to three spectacular regional parks (Belmont, East Harbour, and Remutaka). Each park features a network of scenic walking and biking trails that take you into the heart of the region. Discover dramatic views, majestic lighthouses, and native wildlife in its natural environment.

runs through Lower Hutt, providing a backdrop for some of the region’s most popular activities. You can walk or bike the 18 kilometre Hutt River trail, cast a line and spend the day fishing, or paddle a kayak on its calm waters. On Saturdays, the banks of the river host the colourful Riverbank Market.

Three cyclists take a break from mountain biking. They sit at a picnic table drinking water bottles and looking at the view.
Two people picking up lettuce at an outdoor farmer's market.
Two cyclists pose for a photo in front of a small white lighthouse.
A wide look at the main bar at Baylands Brewery, with two bartenders posing in front of the beer taps, with a beer in hand.

The area is a giant playground, allowing you to tap into your sense of fun. Motutawa Avalon Park features flying foxes, towering climbing frames, and accessible play equipment. The secluded Percy Scenic Reserve offers a rare chance to look for giant wētā inside a dark cave or walk to an idyllic waterfall. There’s plenty of space to picnic with a soundtrack of native birdsong.

Lower Hutt is a city rich in history, arts, and culture. It has an amplified can-do spirit and vibrant sense of imagination. Coffee roasters sit alongside vibrant boutiques and startups, and there’s always something new to explore. Considered a pioneer in the presentation of modern art forms, The Dowse Art Museum is worth a visit. It attracts thousands of visitors each year with its boundary-pushing contemporary art exhibitions.

A family under a waterfall in Percy Reserve.

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Customers sitting at tables inside The House of Good Fortune.

Petone: An eclectic seaside suburb packed full of character

Full of colour and history, Petone is an eclectic seaside suburb known for its great cafés and restaurants, speciality boutiques, and coastal views.

A person standing among a large array of nautical antiques, holding a large ship steering wheel, inside Shipwreck Trading Lower Hutt.

Shipwreck Trading

A treasure chest of marine salvage and collectables, specialising in shipwrecked light fittings, furniture and oddities. Located on the Seaview Marina.

2 poeple standing underneath the Pencarrow lighthouse, with the ocean int eh background.

Visit majestic lighthouses and idyllic beaches in Eastbourne and Days Bay

Pretty and picturesque, the seaside villages of Eastbourne and Days Bay are full of charm.

The front counter at Twenty Eight Cafe, located at 28 Cornwall Street in Lower Hutt, with two people working.

Twenty Eight

This modern minimalist café and restaurant in Lower Hutt crafts delicious seasonal breakfast, lunch and brunch dishes using locally sourced ingredients.

Three people standing on top of Birchville Dam. Green trees and bushes surround them.

Delicious craft beer and thrilling adventures in Upper Hutt

Home to outdoor adventures, big green spaces, and craft beer haven, Brewtown. Find the unexpected around every corner in this small city that’s big on fun.

A family walks towards the Dowse Museum in Lower Hutt.

The Dowse Art Museum

The Dowse Art Museum is a contemporary art gallery in Lower Hutt. It has found its niche in the applied arts with a collection of more than 3,500 objects.

A person in a white teeshirt and a black and brown dog are standing on a hillside overlooking a coastal town, the harbour and a distant mountain range.

Te Whiti Riser

Te Whiti Riser is a popular, all-weather walking and mountain biking track, with extensive views over Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt and Wellington Harbour.

Person walking across a bridge through bush on the Ōrongorongo Track and Valley, Remutaka Forest Park, Wainuiomata.

Adventure into the Wainuiomata wilderness

Packed with mountain bike trails and bush walks, Wainuiomata is full of adventure.

The view from the summit of Belmont Trig Track, a biking and walking trail in Lower Hutt.

Belmont Trig Track

Belmont Regional ParkBelmont Trig Track is a half-day scenic walk, run, or bike ride through native forest. The view from the top includes the Tararua and Kaikōura Ranges.