5 Incredible Beaches Within Reach Of Wellington

Wellington’s harbourside location has gifted it with a collection of lovely beaches and bays. But if you’re wanting to take your seaside adventures a little further away from the urban landscapes, you’ll be pleased to know New Zealand’s capital city is quite handy to a trove of incredible coastlines. Here are five that we think are absolutely worth visiting.

Days Bay

The perfect place for a day trip is not too far away from the city. Take a ferry from Wellington’s waterfront into Matiu/Somes Island to arrive at the Days Bay Jetty. From there, the world is your seaside oyster: you can spend some time strolling the sandy beach, exploring the parks and hills, or have a quick wander around the quaint Eastbourne township and its various galleries, cafes and boutiques.

Kapiti Coast

Island Bay

For something closer to home, Island Bay is just 5 kilometres (3.12 miles) south of Wellington’s city centre. The historic beachside suburb is traditionally known for its fishing, though snorkelling and scuba diving have become popular pastimes over the years. If you want to dip into the depths of the ocean, the Taputeranga Marine Reserve is the place to visit. A short walk from the reserve will also lead you to Sinclair Head, where you might just be able to spot some fur seals.

Makara Beach

A 30-minute drive from Wellington city is all it takes to reach the rocky Makara Beach. This is the ideal spot for those wanting to get their hiking fix or to immerse themselves in a blend of farmland and beachside vistas. The location is also ideal for learning a bit of local history. The Ngati Ira pa, a Maori fortification site, can be found at the western end of Fisherman’s Bay, and there are several World War II gun emplacements at the top of cliffs.

Waitarere Beach

For a relaxing weekend escape, far away from the typical hustle and bustle of your urban surrounds, Waitarere Beach might just do the trick. It is situated approximately an hour and half’s drive from Wellington, near the towns of Palmerston North and Levin. White sands, safe swimming waters and lots of opportunities for surfing and fishing make this spot a great all-rounder for summertime visitors.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.