Unlike the endless urban sprawl of some cities, Wellington blends into its surrounding beaches, the harbour and lush hills, giving residents the perfect balance of nature and cityscape. With so much to see and do in and around the city, you’re never far from a new adventure. Here are five of the best natural detours to add to your Wellington schedule.
Taranaki Wharf dive platform
When the weather warms up in Wellington, the city’s waterfront diving board is the place to be. Keep cool with a splash into Wellington Harbour from the eight-metre-high architecturally-designed platform. There’s also the option of a lower platform, set above a 360-degree cut-out section of the very public Taranaki Wharf, meaning you’re likely to receive some gentle crowd encouragement on hotter days. The waterfront location makes it an ideal place to cool off after a day spent strolling through the nearby Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne
City development can be tough on local wildlife. With the Zealandia ecosanctuary, the goal is to restore some balance, and the 225-hectare urban island is a haven and breeding ground for a number of once-abundant native species. Zealandia gives an impression of what an untouched New Zealand ecosystem was once like, with visitors having the chance to catch a glimpse of rarely-encountered species such as the tuatara, giant wētā and kererū among many others – all just a short drive from the central city. Guided tours are your best chance to see some of the more elusive fauna, but if you fancy taking it slow there’s also the option to grab a general admission ticket and wander as you like.
Mount Victoria Lookout Walkway
The Mount Victoria Town Belt is a historic slice of preserved pine forest in the heart of Wellington, and climbing to the top yields some unbeatable views of the city and harbour. Walking trails start in the city (either Oriental Parade or Majoribanks Street) and wind up Mount Victoria. While it can be a little steep, the panoramic outlook at the end is worth the effort. Climb up in time to catch the sunrise or sunset or to watch the ferries come in. Mount Victoria is also home to a bunch of mountain bike trails, if you’re feeling more adventurous.
Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park
Since its establishment in 1998, the Mākara Peak Mountain Bike Park has been an exhilarating blend of recreation and nature. The park is set over 250 hectares of regenerating forest, with more than 23,000 native seedlings planted along more than 40 kilometres of mountain bike tracks. The once-barren park is now returning to its lush, natural state, making it a beautiful site to explore on the back of a mountain bike. There are gentle trails for beginners and gnarly tracks for the fearless, as well as a 72-metre suspension bridge, all with sweeping views of Wellington Harbour, Cook Strait and even the top end of the South Island.
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush
Located just a few kilometres from the Wellington CBD is Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, New Zealand’s only botanic garden dedicated exclusively to native species. Spread over 100 hectares, the expansive plant sanctuary and bush reserve takes in both ancient and regenerating forest and features some 1200 species of native flora. There are plenty of walking trails that let you explore native birdlife and various collections of important plant species, but you’ll want to put the Blue Trail high on your list — a new track carefully built amid the ancient forest that allows easier access to the oldest tree in Wellington, Moko, an 800-year-old rimu (native conifer).
This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Wellington NZ
