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Combine past and present at Battle Hill Forest Park - visit the site of one of the last battles in the region between Maori and early colonial forces, where traditional hill country farming, forestry, recreation and environmental restoration now blend.
This pleasant and easy walk begins below the car park area, just beyond the bridge across Catchpool Stream. It leads upstream through a nikau grove and mature podocarp/broadleaf forest to another bridge and the Orongorongo Track.
Explore our ancient rainforest with it’s 1,000 year old trees. Discover the real location of Rivendell, a refuge and rallying place for elves in the The Lord of the Rings movies.
Matiu/Somes Island, known as Matiu to Maori, has long a pre-European history dating back to Kupe. Discover native wildlife, visit the lighthouse and WWII bunkers for a journey back in time, and meet the local sheep on the island’s farm.
Discover the wonders of our native flora and fauna at this idyllic bird sanctuary - explore Kapiti’s precious ancient forest remnant and look out for tui, bellbird, fantail, grey warbler and kereru; spot the kiwi and tuatara in their enclosures; get up close to kaka, kea and kākāriki in the walk-through aviaries.
Explore a forest reserve that is the only public botanic garden in New Zealand dedicated solely to native plants. It's only 5 km from Wellington’s city centre.
The reserve is the most significant saltmarsh in the lower North Island, containing a variety of vegetation from tidal mudflats to coastal forest. The area is home to many native plants and birds - you might even see some mud crabs!
Connect with friendly animals, native birds and natural beauty - meet piglets, goats, rabbits and deer. There’s a a trout and eel pool too! Don’t forget to bring your togs!
This reserve is only 6 km from Wellington's city centre. It's very accessible and offers snorkelling, diving and walking opportunities.
The paved paths are just the beginning at Wellington Botanic Garden. As a Kiwi Guardian discover new paths and hidden surprises.
Get up close to native and exotic wildlife at New Zealand's first zoo. Explore Wellington Zoo's love story to New Zealand, venture into an Aussie backyard, or even look eye to eye with a giraffe!
Venture through this old, but still working, sheep and beef farm and recreation reserve for stunning views of the Kapiti landscape, to see restoration work in action and learn about the local wildlife.
Visit the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary - discover the 18 species of native wildlife that have been reintroduced into the area, 6 of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years!
Auckland and parts of the Waikato are at Level 3. DOC huts and campsites are closed in these regions. The rest of New Zealand is at Level 2.