Wellington Region
Encompases the cities of Wellington, Porirua, Lower and Upper Hutt.
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The Wellington region stretches northward from the capital city up the western coast, and encompasses the cities of Lower and Upper Hutt to the north of Wellington Harbour. The region is bordered by the Tasman Sea to the west, the Cook Strait to the south, and the mountainous Rimutaka Ranges to the north and east. The region is typically coastal, with a mild temperate climate.
Two main routes run northward from Wellington. State Highway 1 runs alongside the western coastline past Porirua City, the region's second largest centre. Nearby Titahi Bay has a lovely beach and is a popular surfing spot. To the north is the picturesque Pukerua Bay.
On the northern shores of Wellington Harbour is Petone, the site where the early settlers to the region first settled. The settlement has attractive old buildings and is home to the Petone Settlers' Museum, which features articles from the days of the early settlers to the region. Lower Hutt is a busy centre with an extensive selection of shops, cafes and restaurants. Its Dowse Art Museum features a diverse collection of New Zealand art. To the north, Upper Hutt has an excellent aquatic centre and children’s playground. The nearby Railway Museum at Silverstream has restored working steam engines; most Sundays the attraction is open for a ‘steam up’. A short drive from Upper Hutt is the popular Staglands Wildlife Park, which features a selection of New Zealand wildlife, and the beautiful native bush of Kaitoke Forest Park.
In the east of the region is the pretty settlement of Eastbourne, with a selection of arts and craft shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. An excellent excursion from Wellington is a short ferry trip across the harbour to the cafes of nearby Days Bay. The Rimutaka Forest Park, in the easternmost part of the region, has a network of walking tracks and huts, and is also a popular camping spot.
Key Links:
www.wellingtonnz.com
www.wcc.govt.nz
Wellington Region