Friday Five: Things for Welly connoisseurs

If you know, you know. Which is exactly the case for these five very Welly things to try over the next few days. Say no more.

A close-up shot of a plate with a burger and fries on it, and to the left, a beer, with a dark background and blurred lights above.

1. Do beers and burgers in a laneway

Burgers and beer, a match made in heaven, but they’re even better when enjoyed in one of our refreshed laneways. Head to Leeds Street, grab a burger from the Gorilla Burger food truck and enjoy it with a pint of pale ale at Fortune Favours next door. Soul Shack at Te Aro Park has pretty special burgers too. Get there early to avoid the inevitable queue.

2. Browse the shelves at Unity Books

Is there any more Wellington a pastime than popping into Unity Books for a quick peruse while waiting for your bus? The place is an institution. For second-hand books, try Arty Bees on Manners Street or Pegasus Books off Cuba Street.

A rare kārearea (NZ falcon) gorging on a pigeon in a grassy central Wellington park, surrounded by feathers.

3. Watch a falcon eat a pigeon at an inner-city park

Sure, it’s not for everyone, but it’s pretty remarkable all the same. Kārearea have been known to enjoy a pigeon lunch al fresco on Jack Ilot Green. So keep an eye out, you never know when they’ll strike next.

4. Line up for half-price sushi

There's nothing particularly challenging or unusual about walking into a sushi place and buying regular-price California rolls – everyone does it. But lining up outside one waiting for 4pm to roll round so you can get half-price goodies? That’s what we’re talking about. Woodward Street is a great place to start - if you see a queue, get in it.

5. Walk on the left side of the footpath

Do this always. ALWAYS. Especially on Willis Street and Lambton Quay during lunchtime, and to and from the Train Station before and after work. It’s what a good Wellingtonian does.

Watch out each Friday for a fun list of five great activities to do, places to explore, or things to discover in our great city.