Where To Go In Wellington For Panoramic Views

Downtown Wellington from Mount Victoria
Downtown Wellington from Mount Victoria | © russellstreet/Flickr
Thalita Alves

Wellington is well-served with panoramic views. There are various lookouts and summits to visit if you’re eager to catch a glimpse of the city’s most beautiful landmarks. When you’re passing through the New Zealand capital, make sure to set your sights onto these six picturesque points.

Mount Victoria Lookout

Whenever someone talks about the panoramic views found in Wellington, Mount Victoria is the first name to come up. Its 196-metre (643-foot) positioning right at the heart of the city makes it the ideal spot for sightseeing. Walk up the summit to put Wellington life into full perspective. If you’re looking for a place to watch the sunset, Mount Victoria is a highly coveted spot.

Downtown Wellington from Mount Victoria

Te Ahumairangi Hill Lookout

http://instagram.com/p/BMQtVq-BEHc/

Mount Kaukau

Mount Kaukau is easy enough to recognise: Not only is it the highest point of the city, it’s also where Wellington’s TV tower is situated. Choose any of its steep, well-formed walking tracks to reach the summit lookout. Your trek will be rewarded with a breathtaking perspective of the city centre, the harbour, Hutt Valley, Tararua Range, Porirua and the South Island.

View from Mount Kaukau, Wellington

Massey Memorial

A striking, underrated gem offering a full panorama of the Wellington Harbour, the Massey Memorial is located on the Miramar Peninsula, and is the mausoleum of former New Zealand prime minister William Massey. If you’re keen to make your picturesque stop a day trip, go for a walk around the memorial and then settle down for a picnic.

http://instagram.com/p/BLsylJwgwgN/

Mount Alfred

Another spot that continues along the Mount Victoria ridge line, Mount Alfred is a nice scenic destination for the most active of visitors. This is a popular place for mountain bikers, runners and hikers alike, and there are plenty of picnic areas for those wanting a quick pit-stop with a nice view to match.

http://instagram.com/p/BPSAM-oBvqa/

Oruaiti Reserve

If you’re looking for a hillside hiking spot with undeveloped tracks and scenic coastal views, Oruati Reserve is the place to go. The ridge is located at the entrance of Wellington Harbour, between Worser Bay and Breaker Bay on the Miramar Peninsula, so you’ll be getting plenty of sun-kissed views from its highest point. While you’re out there, make sure to check out some of the nearby historical sites too.

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.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
Edit article