In between the orienteering and socialising, there are heaps of tourist and cultural activities to enjoy and cool corners of Aotearoa to discover. We’ve split up our recommendations roughly by the areas you’ll be staying or passing through.
And if you’re a local, why not send in your top tips for visitors?
Most overseas visitors are likely to end up leaving from Wellington airport at the end of their trip, or maybe flying in to Wellington on your way to New Plymouth. And if you’re going to be here, it’s worth taking a couple of extra days to experience New Zealand’s “coolest little capital”. The city has a huge variety of craft beer bars and breweries, a fun local music scene, jazzy cocktails, fantastic restaurants, and consistently amazing coffee, plus the national museum Te Papa on the waterfront.
Wellington from Te Ahumairangi
Native birdlife in Wellington has been on the rise since the opening of the ground-breaking Zealandia wildlife sancturary. In the western suburbs tui, kererū and kākā have gone from rarities to frequent visitors and it’s so cool to hear a kākā screeching overhead. You can find out all about this, see even more native birds and probably spot a tuatara (truly ancient reptiles with a third eye) with a visit to Zealandia, open every day except Christmas day.
A run on the waterfront and round the bays is a fun way to see the city from sea level, but more adventurous options are definitely available. The Skyline Track is a classic Wellington run above the western suburbs. Catchpool Valley south of Wainuiomata has some beautiful (and challenging) options through native forest down to the Orongorongo River. And if you’re just not that into climb then the south coast 4×4 track to Pariwhero (Red Rocks) and Devil’s Gate feels surprisingly remote despite starting just around the coast from the cafes of Island Bay.