Wellington Neighbourhoods, Locations and Districts

(Wellington, North Island, New Zealand NZ)



Wellington DistrictsWellington is one of the most important cities on the North Island, being the proud New Zealand capital and close to Lower Hutt, Porirua and Wainuiomata.

The city is divided into a number of central neighbourhoods and business districts, suburbs and defined areas, such as the Golden Mile, Courtenay Place, the Waterfront district, Eastbourne, Thorndon and Kelburn, where the Victoria University of Wellington and the Boyd Wilson Field reside. At the heart of the city are many of the top tourist sights, while nearby, the plentiful beaches, harbours and bays are easy to reach.

Each of the regions and locations in Wellington have something different to offer visitors, including attractions, mountains, hills, areas of extreme natural beauty and panoramic views across the surrounding countryside.


Wellington Districts

City Centre

Wellington city centre, close to the waterfront, can be found between Lambton Quay and Cuba Street, and is a particularly popular part of the city. Home to many striking buildings, impressive landmarks and some of the city's most popular tourist attractions, city centre highlights include Civic Square (with plenty of seating areas, regular markets and seasonal events), the Civic Centre, the Town Hall, the City Art Gallery, the State Opera House and the city's main tourist information centre. Much of central Wellington was renovated in the late 20th century, creating a new, exciting atmosphere.

Courtenay Place

The vibrant district of Courtenay Place, in central Wellington, is home to a lively atmosphere and excellent nightlife, with entertainment options including high concentrations of cafés, restaurants, bar, theatres, clubs and much more besides.

Cuba Street

The Cuba Street district is a particularly trendy neighbourhood, full of fashionable cafés, speciality shops, street entertainment, fountains and a number of impressive sculptures. Cuba Street regularly hosts many seasonal events throughout the year, including the city's renowned Fringe Festival.

The Golden Mile

The Golden Mile serves as the city's premier shopping district, along the length of Lambton Quay and Willis Street, and comes with numerous shopping centres, arcades, malls and major department stores. Other attractions along the ever-popular Golden Mile include a good selection of restaurants, cafés and coffee shops.

Wellington Districts

Waterfront

The striking Waterfront district is one of the most trendy areas of Wellington city, being full of scenic walking and cycling trails, stretching from the Oriental Parade to Queen's Wharf. There are a number of interesting family attractions around Lambton Harbour, such as the Maritime Museum, Lagoon Beach and regular harbour cruises. Highlights around the Waterfront include parks, gardens, seating areas, picnic spots, water sports, restaurants and cafés.

Kelburn

Located to the west of Wellington city centre, the Kelburn district features some of the city's best parks and gardens, including the spreading Kelburn Park and the spectacular Botanic Gardens. Other attractions in Wellington's Kelburn district include the vast Victoria University (VUW) complex, the New Zealand Astronomy Centre and the Kelburn Cable Car.

Thorndon

The Thorndon district is one of the city's oldest and most historic areas. With many charming backstreets and pathways to explore, Thorndon proudly boasts some of the best examples of traditional Victorian and Colonial architecture in New Zealand.

Eastbourne

The waterside district of Eastbourne is close to central Wellington and is easily reached by ferry. Full of impressive attractions, nature reserves and heritage attractions, other highlights around Eastbourne include many picturesque walking trails and a historic lighthouse, which is open to the public.