Matiu / Somes Island
Ramble around this stunning nature reserve that sits right in the middle of Wellington Harbour.
126m highest point
Stroll through Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā and enjoy 25 hectares of unique landscape, protected native forest, plant collections, floral displays, and views over Wellington city.
Only minutes away from the city centre, the garden offers beauty and intrigue year-round. Whether you have 10 minutes or two hours, there are walking tracks for everyone to explore.
From the top of the Cable Car, venture downhill and stop to enjoy the garden’s main collections. Choose from gardens themed from areas of the world like the Mediterranean, Australia, India, China, and many more.
Explore the top of the garden and walk between the Dominion Observatory, Space Place at Carter Observatory, and Krupp Gun.
The Sculpture Trail is a loop that starts at the Lady Norwood Rose Garden where you can spot six works among the flora.
The Bush Walk meanders through native New Zealand bush from the Cable Car downhill or reverse the trail to end with the harbour vista. You can often spot a range of native birds in the garden skies.
Also known as the Louis Braille Trail, this walk takes 20 minutes and features tactile markers. Pick up a braille brochure from the Treehouse Visitor Centre to venture through the gardens and find the tactile markers on the ground that direct you to braille signposts nearby.
For detailed Botanic Garden track and walkway maps:
Ramble around this stunning nature reserve that sits right in the middle of Wellington Harbour.
Take a journey through Wellington’s outer green belt and discover abandoned railway tunnels and expansive views.
Waimapihi Reserve, Brooklyn Turbine and Te Kopahou ReserveExperience the wildest part of Wellington’s rugged south coast, where you might encounter a colony of fur seals and catch views of the South Island.
Start near Wellington’s city centre and follow the Town Belt through to Island Bay.
Enjoy sweeping views over the south coast of Miramar Peninsula while walking through native bush on the Eastern Walkway. Loop back with an easy stroll along the coastline from Breaker Bay.
There’s a wide variety of walks available at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, ranging from gentle 10-minute strolls to 2.5-hour hikes. Original forests and native botanic gardens attract plenty of native birds.
Enjoy native New Zealand flora and fauna in this preserved pocket of native forest.
In a region full of wonderful vistas, this short trail along a wild, rugged coastline leads to one of the most recognisable landmarks in New Zealand.
An easy walk for the whole family among mature podocarp and broadleaf native trees in the Tararua Range.
A popular all-weather walking and mountain biking track overlooking Wainuiomata and Lower Hutt.