Best Foods Comedy Gala
4 May 2024The Opera House | 7:30pm | From $63
Meridian Building (waterside), 55 Elizabeth Lane, Queens Wharf
Located on Wellington’s waterfront at Queens Wharf, East by West offers a pleasant 25-minute crossing to Days Bay, near Eastbourne. Or, a 45-minute journey if you stop off at Mātiu/Somes Island on the way. Commuter transport as much as tourism experience, it’s a great way to see the city.
Mātiu/Somes Island is a scientific and historic reserve managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). It’s steeped in local history, from early Māori settlement to a prisoner of war camp, and then a quarantine station. It’s now rodent-free, rife with birdlife, and full of native flora and fauna.
Spend a few hours exploring the island, soak up views from the easy walking tracks, and look out for native tuatara reintroduced to the island.
Across the harbour, there’s plenty to do in Days Bay. From the ferry drop-off point on the jetty, it’s easy to spend the day exploring the area.
There are bush walks and parks, and kayak, paddleboard, and bike hire. You can swim and jump off the jetty, eat ice cream, or drink coffee while enjoying expansive views. Take a short walk to the nearby seaside village of Eastbourne where you’ll find restaurants, shops, and art galleries.
East By West has weekly and weekend timetables for its three ferries that cruise around the harbour up to seven times a day.
One of those ferries, Ika Rere, is the very first electric high-speed passenger ferry in the southern hemisphere. Locally built, the carbon-fibre 19-metre catamaran has a passenger capacity of 132 with three crew. There’s an on-board café and inside and outside seating options.
You can buy ferry tickets at East By West’s Queens Wharf office or on board. Children under 13 travel free. Its services are dog-friendly. You can also take bikes and luggage on board.
4 May 2024The Opera House | 7:30pm | From $63
25 Feb 2024The Opera House
1 Dec 2023Anderson Park | 6:15pm
Housed in a prominent heritage building, Salty Pidgin provides bistro food and a local gathering point in Brooklyn Village.
1 Mar 2024TSB Arena | 7pm
9 Feb 2024The Opera House | 8pm | Starting at $76.65
Chocolate that feeds the soul in the heart of Wairarapa.
9 Mar 2024Michael Fowler Centre | 7:30pm
Customs is at the heart of the capital’s coffee scene, and a trip to Wellington wouldn’t be complete without a stop here.
15 Mar 2024Michael Fowler Centre | 7:30pm
8 May 2024TSB Arena
1 Jun – 28 Oct 2024Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
If you only have a day to spend in the Kāpiti Coast then you’ll need to get cracking. The sunny coast has a great selection of things to see, do, and eat.
25 Feb 2024TSB Arena | 8pm
With a share-style menu inspired by the Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa, this Mount Victoria charmer is a quality dinner choice.