​SUNSHINE BAY - Eastbourne
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Sunshine Bay in Eastbourne offers spectacular city views allowing you to marvel at the lush green backdrop, or wander through the unique coastal bush the area has to offer. You'll have to access it from behind from Days Bay since there is no access from the road.
Location: Sunshine Bay, Marine Drive, Eastbourne.
Price: Free
Hours: 24
Web:
Photograph courtesy of sunflower eastbourne, panoramio
PENCARROW COASTAL TRAIL - Eastbourne

​The Pencarrow Coastal Trail offers spectacular views from the historic Pencarrow Lighthouse. The hilltop lighthouse was built in 1858 and was the first in New Zealand. The low level lighthouse was built in 1906 and still operates today. From the hilltop head down across the farmland to the secluded inland Lake Kohangapiripiri, then follow the lakeside track out to the beach which leads to Lake Kohangatera. A clear day you can see Mt Tapuaenuku (2885m) on the inland Kaikoura mountain range to the south. Visit the website below for further information.
Location: Burdan's Gate carpark at the end of Muritai Road, Eastbourne.
Hours: 24
Price: free​
Photograph courtesy of Steve Attwood Flickr
CITY GALLERY - Wellington

​The City Gallery consists of contemporary New Zealand and international exhibitions.​
There are always events happening so please visit the website for more information. The Nikau Gallery Cafe is definitely a well placed addition.
Location: Civic Sq, Wakefield St, Wellington.
Hours: 10am-5pm
Price: free​, exhibits may charge​

2009, City Gallery.
City Gallery
2009, City Gallery.
2009, City Gallery.
Photograph courtesy of City Gallery wgtn
CAPITAL E​ - Wellington

Capital E is a place you take the kids to for an educational experience.
Here you'll find interactive rotating exhibitions, TV and children’s theatre workshops and courses as well as group reading sessions.
Please view the website for information regarding events and prices.
Location: Civic Square, Wellington.
Price: free - events may have a charge
Hours: 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat
Photographs courtesy of Capital E
NZ CRICKET MUSEUM - Wellington

​​​The NZ Cricket Museum contains historical memorabilia of NZ's cricket history. Here you'll find comprehensive displays covering the history and development of NZ cricket, including NZ’s first test match in 1894 & the 1743 Addington bat.
Location: Old Grandstand, Basin Reserve, Wellington
Price: Adult $5, Child $2
Hours: 10.30am-3.30pm daily Nov -Apr, May-Oct Sat & Sun
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Web: http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/content/nzc/new-zealand-cricket-museum.aspx
Photograph courtesy of NZ Cricket Museum
​WETA CAVE - Wellington​​

Weta Cave is a fun, mini museum of the Academy Award–winning company responsible for the Hobbit, King Kong, The Lord of the Rings and The Adventures of Tintin. Here you'll come face to face with some of the props, characters and displays from the companies most recognised movies, and be able to read the stories of their formation and the artists who invented them.
Location: cnr Camperdown Rd & Weka St, Miramar, Wellington
Hours: 9am-5.30pm
Price: Free​
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Photographs courtesy of weta cave
MATIU-SOMES ISLAND​ - Wellington
​​The Matiu-Somes Island is situated In the middle of Wellington harbour, and was once a prisoner of war camp and quarantine station.
The island is DOC-managed, and gives you the opportunity to see Tuatara, Weta, Kakariki and Blue Penguins, among others.
The public are welcome with sailings available on weekdays and eight on Saturday & Sunday, return fares are adult $22, child $11.50, so take a picnic lunch, or stay overnight in the campsite (adult $10 child $5), the DOC house is also available as accommodation.
Location: Middle of Wellington Harbour.​ Wellington
Accommodation: Prices vary, use the link below to view options.
Photograph courtesy of Ally - barefoot
OTARI-WILSON'S BUSH - Wellington

Otari-Wilton’s Bush is the only botanic gardens in New Zealand specialising in native flora. The gardens consist of more than 1200 plant species, some of which are the city's oldest trees, there is also 11km of walking trails and picnic areas for you to enjoy.

Location: 160 Wilton Rd, Wilton, Wellington
Price: free
Hours: 24 hours
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Web:​ http://wellington.govt.nz/recreation/gardens/otariwiltons-bush
​ACADEMY GALLERIES - Wellington

The Academy Galleries showcase New Zealand's Fine Arts.
Here you'll find exhibitions by New Zealand artists. The Academy on average has at least four open exhibitions a year and a number of curated exhibitions featuring the work of invited artists. Always changing, there are always a variety of interesting things to view.​

Location: 1 Queens Wharf, Wellington
Price: free​
Hours: 10am-5pm

Web: http://www.nzafa.com/
Photograph courtesy of NZ Academy of Fine Arts
Helpful Links
​RIMUTAKA FOREST PARK - Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt.
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The Rimutaka Forest Park is a beautiful area of mostly native forest in the hills east of the Wainuiomata Valley, Wellington. It encompasses the Rimutaka Ranges, the Orongorongo River and the seal colony at the Turakirae Head Scientific Reserve.
The Parks surroundings are bush-clad hills, open spaced camping areas, narrow fern-filled valleys, abundant freshwater streams and the Orongorongo River.
Throughout the park there are mulitple signposted walking tracks appealing to all. Definitely worth a look on that summers day or for that camping trip.
​Location: ​Take the hill road to Wainuiomata and follow all the signs to the Coast Road/ Rimutaka Forest Park and then turn left at the Catchpool Stream
Price: Free -
Hours: 24
Web: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/wellington-kapiti/wellington/rimutaka-forest-park/
Photo courtesy of Andrew Steven
Photo courtesy of Rimutaka Forest Park Trust
Photo courtesy of Andrew Steven
Wellington, Eastbourne, Lower Hutt, Wainuiomata, Porirua, Upper Hutt, Johnsonville, Newlands, Tawa.
Wellington Sights
Rob Suisted