Unique Places in Wellington Region

Cuba Mall is one of the main shopping and dining areas in Wellington. It is closed to traffic and is a pleasant part of town to wander around. If you walk out of the Civic Square, head south down Willis St., and then turn left into Dixon St. you'll get there (its about 5 miutes walk). There are lots of nice pubs, restaurants, coffee houses and arts and crafts shops. Buskers and street performers can often be seen in the mall in the summer.

Kapiti Island is a native bird reserve which can only be accessed by chartered boat with a special permit issued by the government. There is one caretaker stationed on the Island which is some 5km off shore from the beach resort town of Paraparaumu.
This photo is taken of Kapiti from our home.

Ok, if you are into bush walks, Wellington supports quite a number of those within the area. One in particular is around a 20 minute drive from downtown Wellington, to another little city within Wellington, called Porirua. We have a walkway through bush called 'Colonial Knob' which to me would be just for the fit, I have only seen it, but many a tourist has walked it and enjoyed it and the view at the end.

This is a memorial in a cemetary of most of the people who died in earthquake of 1931. It is a very interesting cemetary. It is on top of a hill and is called Island Park Cemetary. There is a very good view from there of Napier. It is about 10 minutes drive from Napier, to Taradale.

Steam Train buff's The Mainline Steam Museum and Workshops at Paekakariki are a must. Also a few miles north of Wellington but for the enthralled in this ancient form of rail a wonderful experience , at certain times one is able to drive the steam engines , for a donation of course. The engine sheds and workshops plus the yards are full of the wagons, coaches, spares and working units of the steam era , many an hour may be spent wandering there

Remember the days of the Trams , the Clang of the brake bell the hustle of the comuters scrambling to and from from the steps of the trams all rushing to work and home again , well re-live that experience without the crush , at the Queens Elizabeth Park Tram Museum , just North Of Paekakariki, Where sevral working trams run a 3 Kilometer line out to the beach and back , and a large workshop and Museum allows you to slip back in time , the Drivers are pleasant and the people you meet on board extremely helpful, and friendly

Titahi Bay Beach , in the Northern city of Porirua, a jewel in the sun , no more than 30 ks North of the city a tranquil beach , catering for all coastal activities , from swimming , surfing, rock climbing , walking tracks encompassing fantastic vista's of the South Island and Mana Island. Also fishing , diving and all manner of water sports , a safe beach patrolled during the summer by life guards.

The Open Air markets , like very where in the world New Zealand have the Markets. the One picture one of two on Saturdays in the wellington Area, in the grounds of the Porirua hospital, running from about 7.30 till 11am all manner of activites and products maybe found there, from McDonalds toys to Muisc tapes.
Known as the second chance Market the market in the town centre runs from 4am ish till 9am when the retail centre opens up, all the main centre's have a market , just as a local.