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 Strictly for the big kids |
184 Takarau Gorge Ohariu Valley Wellington 6004 New Zealand +64 4 477 3374 |
Explore one of Wellington's most rugged and scenic coastlines by 300cc 4x4 quad bikes. Choose from a 30 minute introduction ride to a three hour tour, and experience the thrill of riding through gullies and streams and over farmland. For the real adventurer amongst you, one of the treks involves navigating a cliff track. The tours ride to the coast and provide scenic views of the Cook Strait and South Island. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Picturesque manmade lagoon |
State Highway One Wellington 6006 New Zealand +64 4 802 4860 (Visitor Information Centre) bookings@WellingtonNZ.com (Visitor Information Centre) |
A short drive north of Wellington City, on the Porirua Harbour, beside the busy motorway, lies the man-made Aotea lagoon. This is a popular spot with locals and visitors alike. In these safe calm waters you can feed the ducks (they are always at lagoons), sail model boats or canoe. Landlubbers can picnic or play in some of the many spots beside the lagoon, walk or just spend the day lazing in the sun. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Urban playland |
State Highway 2 Hutt Valley Wellington 6009 New Zealand +64 4 586 6614 (ranger) http://www.gw.govt.nz/ chris.wootton@gw.govt.nz |
A great picnic and camping area, the Belmont Regional Park is within close reach of Wellington city and the Hutt Valley. Comprising rolling hills, bush-clad valleys and farmland the park incorporates the Korokoro Dam, streams and waterfalls. There is a variety of walking tracks from easy to difficult of varying lengths. They are well worth the effort with specutacular climbs through native bush and some great views of the Hutt Valley and beyond. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Brian stocks  |
 Photo: Dean Pemberton |
 Photo: kiwipete |
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Secluded spot |
Eastbourne Domain Recreation Reserve Eastbourne Wellington 6008 New Zealand +64 4 802 4860 (Visitor Information Centre) http://www.gw.govt.nz/section6... bookings@WellingtonNZ.com (Visitor Information Centre) |
There is a bit of walking to do here but once you are there it is well worth the effort. Hike through bush reserve on well maintained tracks. Accessed from Eastbourne Coastal Village, this walk into the Eastbourne Domain Recreation Reserve will bring you to the lovely Butterfly Creek. Swim in the safe waters after your walk and find a secluded and sheltered picnic spot beside the creek. Fabulous panoramas of the harbour await those prepared to endure the initial climb. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Arlene M. Canlas |
 Photo: victoria |
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Horse riding |
517 Ohariu Valley Road Johnsonville Wellington 6004 New Zealand +64 4 478 8472 |
Experienced and new riders alike saddle up and take off for a great riding experience through pastures, tree-lined paths and over streams in the beautiful Ohariu valley. Choose from a selection of treks from one to three hours or hitch a ride on a Saturday night special - ride to a lodge for a barbecue, music and a moonlit ride back. Children must be supervised by an adult on the moonlight trek. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Catch the last of the day's sun here |
Eastern Bays Marine Drive Eastbourne Wellington 6008 New Zealand +64 4 802 4860 (Visitor Information Centre) |
Catch the last of the day's sun and watch the shadows fall across the harbour as you enjoy a last swim or barbecue dinner on this lovely safe swimming beach. Travel by ferry across the harbour or drive around scenic Eastern Bays Marine Drive to swim in the safe water, fish off the wharf, picnic in the park or beach and walk in the reserve. Many excellent day walks, to secret places such as Butterfly Creek, start in Eastbourne. These trails are well worth exploring. This is a great place for an all day, and early evening, outing. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Arlene M. Canlas |
 Photo: Todd Ward |
 Photo: Rachel Bolstad |
 Photo: David Pemberton |
 Photo: John Goulter |
 Photo: Julie Nemecek |
 Photo: Andrew Lynch |
 Photo: Rita |
 Photo: Bazza's |
 Photo: Michael Petrie |
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Suburban swimming |
Evans Bay Parade Hataitai Wellington 6003 New Zealand +64 0(4) 802 4860 (Visitor Information Centre) |
Cool off from your busy sightseeing with a dip in this safe swimming bay, which is on the scenic round the bays drive. Bordered by colourful boat sheds you can watch the yachts and fishing boats come and go with the breeze. The bay has changing sheds and a platform to swim to, for those who like a challenge. The children will love feeding the ducks who have made the bay there home. There is a lovely walking track over the hill from or to Mount Victoria and the bay is a welcome cooling-off point for trekkers. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Bushclad hills |
Waterworks Road Wellington 6007 New Zealand +64 4 526 7322 / +64 27 443 0361 (mobile) http://www.gw.govt.nz/ steve.edwards@gw.govt.nz |
Ranging over the steep bush-clad hills of Kaitoke, north of Upper Hutt, this park has great sheltered picnic spots, camping sites (fees apply) and walking tracks alongside rivers and bush fringes. Coin-operated barbecues, drinking water, picnic spots, toilet facilities (some wheelchair accessible) are all available at this well-developed park. Select from some of the many walking tracks (two are suitable for wheelchairs) from easy to demanding and of varying durations. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Diane Rooney |
 Photo: Yvonne Whiting |
 Photo: Nenita Ciriaco |
 Photo: caroline emmanuelle |
 Photo: Kellepel |
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Nature reserve and playground |
Woodmancote Road Khandallah Wellington 6004 New Zealand +64 4 802 4860 (Visitor Information Centre) http://www.nzine.co.nz/views/k... |
A 10-minute drive from central Wellington or a 15-minute train ride will have you climbing through bush tracks to the Mt Kaukau lookout. For the less energetic in the group, picnic in the reserve where there is room for a game of cricket or frisbee and a play area for children. On really hot days pamper yourself in the open-air (non-heated) swimming pool. Hire a barbecue and stay for dinner. This is a great spot for an all day outing. Admission: Free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: harmony simpson |
 Photo: harmony simpson |
 Photo: Bradley Houghton |
 Photo: Pam Fossen |
 Photo: sponki |
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Close inner city beach |
The Esplanade Petone Wellington 6008 New Zealand +64 4 802 4860 (Visitor Information Centre) |
Framed by the Eastbourne coastline, the harbour heads and Wellington city this long safe swimming beach is a popular spot in the summer months. From the western end watch the water-skiers as they whirl around, walk to the wooden wharf popular with fishermen (and women), and picnic in the picnic area (barbecues provided). As you pass along the beach to the eastern end where the children's play area and miniature railway are situated, pause for a moment at the Settlers Museum for a little bit of history. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Hugh van Noorden |
 Photo: James @ NZ |
 Photo: Hugh van Noorden |
 Photo: greatlettuce |
 Photo: Nick Williams |
 Photo: frederov27 |
 Photo: Jane Monaghan |
 Photo: Stephen Massey |
 Photo: Paul Scadden |
 Photo: Fraser Pratt |
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Rocky exploration |
The Esplanade Wellington 6002 New Zealand |
With lovely white sand, some challenging rockfaces to climb, and lots of rock pools for the children and you to explore, this is a great place for an all day outing. Sit in the sun, swim and fire up the barbecue, with many other locals, at the end of the day. The swimming is fairly safe in this sheltered cove. It is also a very popular entry point for divers (watch them snorkel out then disappear). There is plenty of carparking, changing sheds and fresh water close at hand. Enjoy yourself. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Tom Law |
 Photo: Mac Birrell |
 Photo: Felipe Skroski |
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Seal colony and four wheel drive adventure |
Owhiro Bay P.O. Box 5086 Wellington 6002 New Zealand +64 4 472 7356 http://www.wellingtonnz.com/Ed... |
Visit the wild south coastline where in the winter hundreds of seals can be found sunbathing among the rocks. Guided tours are available from central Wellington (enquire at the Wellington Visitor Information Centre. The two and a half hour tour explores areas inaccessible to the general public and includes a trip to the Brooklyn Wind Turbine. You can also walk the eight kilometre track or take your own car. A four-wheel drive will take you all the way - with a car be prepared to walk. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Established beech forests |
Waterworks Road, SH2 Kaitoke Regional Park Wellington 6007 New Zealand +64 4 526 7322 / +64 27 443 0361 http://www.gw.govt.nz/ steve.edwards@gw.govt.nz |
Part of Kaitoke Regional Park, the Ridge Track is a demanding three hour (one way) walk through established beech forests. The track runs along the main ridge between Kaitoke and Te Marua (the top of the Hutt Valley) and crosses some of Wellington's steepest bush-clad hills. There are grassy areas for picnics and camping areas at the entrance of the track, coin-operated barbecues, excellent toilet facilities and drinking water. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: dan;o)el |