Wellington residents enjoy access to the town belt and the city’s 109 parks and playgrounds, as well as the five regional parks covering 30,000 hectares of bush and mountain walks.
Town Belt
Wellington’s Town Belt is a forested reserve on the first line of hills encircling the city. There are numerous scenic tracks and walkways that wind their way through the Town Belt, many of them extremely close to the central business district.
Botanic Gardens
There are four botanic gardens in Wellington: the main Botanic Gardens, Otari-Wilton’s Bush, Bolton Street Memorial Park, and Truby King House and Garden. They are all free and offer a peaceful retreat from the city.
Karori Wildlife Sanctuary
This internationally unique wildlife sanctuary in the heart of Wellington provides a haven for native animals, birds and plants, safe from possums and other imported pests. It provides visitors the opportunity to see flourishing native bird life, and has quickly claimed a place in many people’s hearts.
Karori Wildlife Sanctuary website
Regional Parks
In the Hutt Valley en route to the Wairarapa, the Belmont Regional Park, Hutt River Trail, Akatarawa Forest and East Harbour Regional Park offer a variety of landscapes. The Parklands range from bush-clad hills to sheltered valleys, rocky headlands and sweeping bays.
Parks & Recreation - Greater Wellington Regional Council website
Kapiti Island
Five kilometres from the mainland, this predator-free island is an internationally important reserve, and home to some of the world’s most endangered birds.
Kapiti Island - Department of Conservation website
Parks & Playgrounds
Outdoor recreation, particularly for families, is well-served by the many parks and play areas that are located throughout the region. Many are popular for their open space, picnicking opportunities, playground facilities and picturesque settings.
Wellington Waterfront
Wellington is a waterfront city. Facilities along the harbour's edge range from Te Papa and the Museum of Wellington City & Sea to parks, wharf areas and bridges, a marina, a writer’s walk, a new beach and pier at Oriental Bay as well as numerous bars, restaurants and cafes. Recent additions include the new Waitangi Park, and the new 10-metre high ‘water whirler’ sculpture by New Zealand artist Len Lye at Frank Kitts Park.
Swimming Pools
There are seven swimming pools – five indoor and two outdoor – in Wellington city, several swimming pools each in the Hutt Valley and Kapiti Coast, and a vast aquatic centre in Porirua. They are all hugely popular, with close to 2 million visits recorded each year.
Marinas
There are five marinas in the Wellington region. Evans Bay, Clyde Quay Boat Harbour, Chaffers Marina and Seaview Marina are all on Wellington harbour. The Mana Marina is in Porirua harbour. There are a number of boat ramps around the region’s coastline, beaches and bays.
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