How to holiday in Pōneke – your ultimate summer good times guide

The Coromandel? Bay of Islands? Taupō? Great Barrier? Wānaka? Nelson Tasman? Hawkes Bay? Nope. Aotearoa’s best summer destination is right here in Wellington.

Golden sand beaches? Absolutely. Outdoor dining? Tick. Ice-cream aplenty? You betcha. Free stuff to do and see? Right on. Te Whanganui a Tara has everything you need for a summer staycay.

I’ve gone to the experts and crowd-sourced top tips for a summer break in Pōneke from Wellington’s biggest fans (aka Wellington City Council staff).

Get amongst and have an absolutely positive Welly holiday.

Top trails

• Taputerenga Marine Reserve - It's safe and kid friendly and you might get to see some crays. You will definitely see some fish.
• The McKerrow Track from Wainuiomata side - a beautiful walk through established native bush and nobody seems to know about it.
• Maitairangi Mt Victoria - Exploring right from the city, into the beautiful quiet of the bush which is humming with native birds again and then end up at the beach.
• Te Araroa escarpment trail between Pukerua Bay and Paekakariki
• Mt Kaukau – for the climb and the views.
• Mt Albert – great views over Lyall Bay
• Up the steps to the Oku Street reserve. Stunning views from the ridgeline over both owhiro bay and Island bay depending on where you are on the trail.
• Walking up to Te Ahumairangi Hill Lookout or Birchville Dam Walk in Upper Hutt
• Red Rocks to Mākara
• Te Araroa escarpment trail between Pukerua Bay and Paekakariki
• Skyline Trail - Views (and wind) make it exhilarating.
• Turakirae Head - wild Wainui coast, rock hopping and seal spotting
• An overnight camp in the Orongorongo Valley - you won't have a bad time, you will have a great time. 

Brilliant beaches

• Princess Bay (if you can tolerate cold water!)
• I'm a big fan of Whitireia and Titahi Bay beaches in summer but in Pōneke I am all about the intimacy and fun of Haitaitai Beach!
• Lyall Bay for some surfing and dog-watching!
• Oriental Bay for the city dwellers
• Days Bay (via the East by West) is a beautiful day out
• Scorching Bay (if you can get there early enough!) or Worser Bay if Scorching is full up
• Breaker Bay (just be aware the further end is for those who like a full body tan).
• There are a lot of lovely small bays around Miramar Peninsula
• Days Bay - take the ferry over and the beach has everything you need, cafes and shops close by, kayak and SUP hire, bike hire, pavilion lawn for a game of touch and hills just behind the beach for hiking in. Ohhh and it gets the late sun so perfect for an evening dip.

Best beachside bites

• A chocolate milkshake from Scorch-O-Rama overlooking the beautiful Scorching Bay!
• Coene's does brilliant fries and nice garlicky aioli, paired with a beer, its beautiful views and very friendly staff.
• Beach House cafe followed by the Grocers Shed opposite Shorland Park
• Lyall Bay fish and chips
• Plimmerton Fish Supply
• I'm a big Spruce Goose fan - used to have the most amazing Granola Fruit bowl...but the classic mince on toast is also a good breakfast goer!
• Fu Xian Takeaways by Island Bay beach

Incredible ice-cream

• Nothing beats a goody-goody gum drop ice-cream from any spot near the beach (Scorchorama, Lyall Bay, Oriental Bay)
• A nice sorbet from kaffee eis at sunset
• Duck Island Ice Cream on Cuba Street (try the white chocolate miso – don’t knock it until you try it – and Fairybread flavours), Gelissimo or the Dairy on Oriental Parade for a good old fashioned tip top ice cream
• Zelati Dessert Cafe is a great spot for tasty and unique ice creams or sorbets.
• Any dairy for tip top boysenberry ice cream covered in chocolate

Outrageously good outdoor dining

• Can't beat Parrotdog on a Sunday afternoon
• Baobab garden in Newtown
• Hey Day when the sun is high and St Johns as the sun starts to shift to the West
• Rosie's Mexican Cantina for drinks and giant nachos
• Scorchorama for sun and beach and delicious food
• Karaka for Māori inspired food and views of the lagoon, Coene's for sailing club vibes and excellent calamari, and for the metal loving dive-bar energy –Underworld on Pirie Street has brilliant staff, excellent and affordable delicious food and lovely range of beers with a rooftop bar
• The Bach and Beach Babylon
• Sitting at an outdoor table at Napoli on Courtenay Place
• The Botanist in Lyall Bay (plus it has lots of options for people with dietary requirements)
• The Aborist rooftop and outdoors at Te Wharewaka
• Welsh Dragon’s garden bar
• Lounging on the lawn at Rogue and Vagabond (admiring the laneway and park upgrade by WCC while you’re at it)
• The deck at the Bond sports bar

The best things in life are free

• Visiting the exhibitions at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
• A visit to The Wellington Chocolate Factory for a free sample and a look at their mouth-watering chocolate machines
• Body boarding in Lyall Bay
• Can't beat reading a book at Scorching Bay on a nice sunny day!
• Sitting at Oriental Bay Boatshed
• #29 bus route on a good day - cheapest scenic ride in town. Sit up the top and front of the double decker for unrivalled views. We have a lot of international visitors over the summer and they get off the bus at our place going "Wow!"
• Riding a bike on one of our cycleways!
• Wellington Waterfront: hanging out on the Wellington Waterfront, wandering the harbourside market, heading to Frank Kitts Park
• A walk up/down mount Vic through the trail, kids’ nature play area to Mount Victoria Lookout
• Rivendell in Kaitoke is also great for any LOTR fans, or just nature fans! Little bits of film related pieces, a stunning bit of river and beautiful bush to walk through.
• Troup lawn in Otari-Wilton bush is bathed in sunshine, free bbqs and is great for eel spotting

Not free but fun

• A day trip to Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne , hiking right up into the hills for a beautiful view of the valley Banksy
• The Banksy exhibition at Tākina - Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre , which will soon be followed by Disney!
• A trip to Sommes Island gives different views of the city as well as exploring the area
• A gig at Meow or San Fran
• Eating dumplings on Cuba Street then strolling up the street for ice cream - Duck Island Fairy Bread - kids fav.
• Mini golf at Carlucciland – weird and wonderful
• Catching a play at Circa theatre – their annual Christmas pantomines are a must-do!
• Sauna Project's mobile seaside sauna