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Places to visit

Wellington/Kapiti

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Wellington/Kapiti

Wellington

Catchpool Valley & Orongorongo Valley

Catchpool Valley is the most popular entrance to Rimutaka Forest Park. It includes Orongorongo Valley and its booked huts.
Location: Catchpool Valley is located 12 km south of Wainuiomata, on the Coast Road, 45 minutes drive from Wellington.

Government Buildings Historic Reserve

The Government Buildings Historic Reserve is a historic landmark of Wellington. It is the largest wooden building in the southern hemisphere and you can view it in its fully restored state.
Location: Government Buildings, Lambton Quay, Wellington.

Makara

Makara offers access to Wellington's west coast escarpments, historic Fort Opau and the West Wind Recreation Area.
Location: Makara is 16km / approximately 30 minutes drive from Wellington City. From Karori follow Makara Rd to Makara Beach, or Takaru Gorge Rd from Johnsonville.

Matiu/Somes Island

Matiu/Somes Island in Wellington Harbour is a predator-free scientific reserve. It is also a historic reserve with a rich multicultural history.
Location: Matiu/Somes Island is located in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington Harbour.

Pencarrow Lakes

Pencarrow Lakes are tucked in behind Pencarrow Head at the entrance to the Wellington Harbour. You can walk or mountain bike to the lakes.
Location: The Pencarrow Lakes are located on the south eastern head of Wellington Harbour.

Rimutaka Forest Park

In the Rimutaka Forest Park you can enjoy some of Wellington's finest mountain biking, not to mention the native birdlife and walking tracks.
Alert: A number of alerts have been issued for the Park.
Location: The Rimutaka Range between Wellington's Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa Plains.

Taputeranga Marine Reserve

The 854ha Taputeranga Marine Reserve is located 6 kilometres from the city centre on Wellington's south coast, providing easy access to study, interact with and record marine life and habitats.
Location: Taputeranga Marine Reserve is located on the Wellington south coast, approximately 6 km from the city centre.

Turakirae Head Scientific Reserve

At Turakirae Head you'll find the largest New Zealand fur seal colony in the Wellington region as well as the internationally-famous geological record revealed by five earthquake-raised beaches.
Location: Turakirae Head Scientific Reserve is located approximately 20 km south of Wainuiomata, at the end of the Coast Road.

Turnbull House

Turnbull House is one of Wellington's finest historic buildings. Book now for conferences and corporate group meetings.
Alert: Turnbull House is currently closed pending earthquake strengthening.
Location: Turnbull House is in the heart of Wellington City. It is located on Bowen Street, right opposite the Beehive and just a short walk from the Lambton Quay shops.

You can also visit Zealandia, a unique eco-attraction, 10 minutes from Wellington. New Zealand's incredible natural history and world-renowned conservation movement are brought to life with a state-of-the-art indoor exhibition. Then step through a predator-proof fence into the beautiful 225ha (550 acre) eco-sanctuary to see some of New Zealand's rarest birds, reptiles and insects in the wild. Visit the Zealandia website.

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Weather

Maps

DOC maps: Discover the outdoors - DOC's key places, campsites, tracks and huts, and visitor centres on a map

Learn more

Check, Clean, Dry between waterways and stop the spread of didymo.

Safety

Follow the Outdoor Safety Code:
1. Plan your trip
2. Tell someone
3. Be aware of the weather
4. Know your limits
5. Take sufficient supplies

Alerts for Wellington/Kapiti places

Contacts

Wellington Visitor Centre

Phone:      +64 4 384 7770

Address:   18 Manners Street
Wellington

Email:

Full office details