Wellington Region
The Wellington region lies north from the capital city situated up on the west coast, containing the cities of Upper and Lower Hutt. This region is bordered by the Cook Strait in the south, the Tasman Sea in the west and the mountainous Rimutaka Ranges to the east and north. The Wellington region is usually coastal, having a mild temperate climate.
There are two main routes running north from Wellington. The State Highway 1 runs on the western coastline passthe region’s second largest centre, Porirua City. The Titahi Bay has a wonderful beach and is a very appreciated surfing popular spot. To the north part tourists can enjoy the picturesque Pukerua Bay. Then the road continues on the rugged coastline to reach Paekakariki, a beautiful place offering several great cafes and a long and beautiful sandy beach. Paraparaumu in located in the north, and Kapiti Island dominates the area. This island is considered a native bird sanctuary, and tourists can visit the island with some restrictions. Located at a short drive north of Paraparaumu, Lindale Farm Park has a farm walk area and a selection of local specialty shops. Waikanae is located nearby and has a long beautiful beach and a wonderful wildlife sanctuary. Continuing to the north tourists can find Southward Car Museum, home to a wide selection of vintage motorbikes and cars. Otaki is located several kilometers further north and it’s the western gateway to the mountainous Tararua Ranges. In the south of the town tourists can find a popular spot for rafting and kayaking named Otaki Gorge. In the north of the Wellinton region is Levin, a bustling town with a wide selection of shops, an wonderful children’s playground, and also the wonderful sandy beaches of Waitarere.
Peton is located on the northern shores of Wellington Harbour and it’s the place where the early settlers came first. The area has very old attractive buildings and is home to the Petone Settlers’ Museum, featuring articles from the days when the early settlers arrived in the region. Lower Hutt is quite a busy centre with an wide selection of cafes, shopsand restaurants. Its Dowse Art Museum offers a collection of New Zealand art. Further North, Upper Hutt has an excellent children’s playground and aquatic center. The Railway Museum at Silverstream has working steam engines recently restored; most Sundays this great tourist attraction is open for a ‘steam up’. At a short drive from Upper Hutt tourists can find the Staglands Wildlife Park, offering the beautiful native bush of Kaitoke Forest Park and a wide selection of New Zealand wildlife.
In the east of the Wellington region is the beautiful settlement of Eastbourne, offering various arts and craft shops, bars, cafes and restaurants.
