News | 17 September 2021
Share on social

Hidden gems: Places to discover in Pōneke

Wellington is jam-packed with lots of nature, epic views, and places to explore. Here's a list of five spots to check out that you may not yet know about.

A woman wearing active wear and a cap pushing a pram along a hillside with Wellington harbour in the background at sunrise.

Trek into tranquillity at Te Ara Paparārangi 

Not many people know that Te Ara Paparārangi has arguably the best views of Wellington Harbour. It's a bonus that it's an easy, all ages walk along the Harbour Escarpment from Waihinahina Park in Newlands. Enjoy the tranquillity of the forest and stop at viewpoints along the way.

A grassy area at the top of a hill with a magnificant view of Wellington harbour, from Petone on the left to Somes Island on the right.
Views from Te Ara Paparārangi.

Enjoy a peaceful picnic at Ōtari Wilton's Bush

Lunch in a remarkable glade surrounded by nothing but native trees and peace? Sounds like a pretty good spring activity we think. Barbecues are available for use and there are toilet facilities, as well as fresh tap water. Take the blue trail to find Moko, a majestic 800-year-old rimu!

Discover epic views at Oku Street Reserve

Views for days! Head to Oku Street Reserve to see over Ōwhiro Bay, Sinclair Head and, on a clear day, the Kaikōura Range in the South Island. The steps to get to the top are worth it. 

Cabbage trees and bush atop a hill with a fantastic view overlooking Owhiro Bay and the South Coast.
Views at Oku Street Reserve.

Check out the cherry blossoms

Katherine Mansfield Park in Thorndon comes up pretty in pink at this time of the year. Take a wander and enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms while they last.

Find the magical Fairy Garden

Tucked away in the Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā, there is a magical Fairy Village waiting to be found. It's the perfect excuse to run away with the fairies and spend an afternoon exploring the gardens.

A hand made little red mushroom nestled into the leaves on the ground with a dish beside it containing three small eggs.

Check out the latest Our Wellington - Tō Tātou Pōneke magazine to find out more about Spring.

Read more

The cover of the spring 2021 issue of the Our Wellington magazine, featuring an illustration of a tui bird overlooking a blue sea with a lone yacht, surrounded by green hills and flowers, and a peach sunset overhead.

1 September 2021

Spring Our Wellington online this week

We celebrate Pōneke’s special natural spaces and our efforts to become a greener city, in Wellington City Council's latest Our Wellington magazine.
The sign for the

23 July 2021

Wellington’s magical fairy village

Discover the magic of Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā's fairy village.
Kiri Andrews in her bright orange work top looking up at a giant tree from a viewing platform in a forest in Otari Wilton's bush.

8 January 2021

Welly Walks: Guardian of our special wild places

Wildlife and adventure have been at the heart of Kiri Andrews’ life since the start, but she didn’t always appreciate her parent’s enthusiasm for the ...