15 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Wellington, New Zealand

It might not necessarily look it, but this is a lovely, picturesque spot to sit and watch the world go by. It has long been a favourite of students and people on their lunch breaks because it basks in the midday sun. Pack a bag of your most enjoyed treats and go and sit by the water. It’s only about five minutes from town, so you can even just grab some bits from the supermarket and take an hour or so to soak up the serenity.

There’s not much to explain here. Oriental Bay is a go-to for any Wellingtonians wanting to escape the city. Whether it’s for a day or half an hour, this beach is so convenient to the city that anyone can make use of it. If you’re stuck for something to do, or just need a place to unwind after work, Oriental Bay won’t let you down.

Cuba Street is undoubtedly the most famous and funky street in Wellington. Thousands and thousands of tourists wander down it every year. To have a local experience though, why not view it as a Wellingtonian by starting at the top and working your way down. Take your time, and take it easy. Grab a pastry from Marth’s Pantry to get the ball rolling, a coffee from Fidel’s to wash it down and then peruse the vintage shops, like Spacesuit and Ziggurat, that are so prevalent along this street. Grab some pizza for lunch from Heaven Woodfire Pizza or maybe a curry from Rasa. Keep meandering. Stop for a drink here, a look in a second-hand bookshop there. There’s so much to see and sample. Dinner and some live music at Matterhorn? It’s up to you.

There’s something very surreal about sitting out in the surf, waiting for the next set to roll in and then have a Boeing 747 roar in to land just overhead. There might be better breaks in the area, but for the convenience the Airport Right is up there. Go for a paddle and a bit of plane-spotting.

It’s a bit of a mission, and might sound a little obscure, but if you want to try some of the best artisan cheese in the country then take a 20-minute drive to the Wairarapa and Zany Zeus. This is the company that supplies such notable cafes as the Maranui Cafe. If you’re a bit of a foodie, and in particular a cheese lover, then this is the place to visit. Do something different, take a drive and snare yourself some smoked brinza, paneer or halloumi.

Stuck for ideas on a raining or windy day in Wellington? Head over to the Bristol Hotel, purchase any drink and you’ll be given pool table privileges. In J.J. Murphy’s you can pay a five dollar deposit at the bar and play for as long as you want too. Perfect result.

Whilst Wellington is a capital city, it is also situated right by the water. If you fancy having a crack at catching your own dinner then Pukerua and Titahi Bays are always worth a dabble with the old rod. Another option that provides some results is Makara. Saying that, it’s not unheard of for someone to cast a line out off the walkway and pull up a pan-sized snapper or gurnard.

OK, so this might not be something to do in the strictest sense, but it’s well worth doing if you want to be savvy about your time in Wellington. Every university student in the city should be signed up to this website, if they’ve got half a brain in their head. It’s a brilliant site on which you can find vouchers and discounts for every conceivable thing you could want to do in the capital. Half-price three-course dinners, discounted movie tickets and two-for-one deals on a whole host of experiences and activities. Not only will you be able to more easily afford those little treats, but you might end up discovering a new favourite cafe and restaurant. It’s a real no-brainer so check it out.