Central city
Wellington Waterfront
Once the centre of Wellington's bustling port, the Wellington Waterfront is one of the city's most distinctive and attractive precincts. Separating central city from sea, the Waterfront is home to a vibrant, ever-changing atmosphere with unique features and attractions that include something for everyone. It is easily accessed at multiple points and has a wide, flat surface with some footbridges along the way.
Wellington Botanic Garden
With views and surprises are around every turn, the Botanic Garden is minutes from downtown Wellington, and is easily accessed.
There are many entrances to the Garden including:
- Glenmore Street
- Salamanca Road
- Upland Road
- the Cable Car
- The only public vehicle access is through Centennial entrance on Glenmore Street.
Generally the Botanic Garden is hilly, but the following areas are wheelchair friendly.
- Top of the Cable Car
- Lady Norwood Rose Garden
- Glenmore Street main entrance
Northern suburbs
Te Ahumairangi Hill (Tinakori Hill), Northland
Also known as Tinakori Hill, the path to the lookout off the Northland end of Orangi Kaupapa Road, is a wheelchair assisted walk. The lookout has good views of the city, a picnic area, and interpretive panels explaining the hill's history. The loop walk has a steeper gradient so we don't recommend this track for wheelchairs.
Alex Moore Park, Johnsonville
Alex Moore Park has a flat, wide perimeter track around the sportsfield.
Ara Tawa
The shared pathway of Tawa and Porirua is a 5km paved path linking to nearby streets, the shopping centre and other key spots like railway stations, schools, recreational areas and parks.
Southern suburbs
Central Park, Brooklyn
From the main entrance of Central Park, a gravel track follows Moturoa Stream to a series of wooden bridges. Return to the main entrance at the deck area, past the bridges, as the path rises steeply after this point. This is a wheelchair assisted walk and the track does get narrow in some places.
Brooklyn wind turbine
The lookout offers outstanding views of the city and the hills across the harbour.
Tawatawa Reserve, Owhiro Bay
Tawatawa Reserve has a flat circular walkway made of clay and gravel. The ridgeline has a steeper gradient so we don't recommend this track for wheelchairs.
Coastal Walkway – Southern
Enjoy the paved, flat pathway from Red Rocks to Island Bay. The scenery is stunning, looping around the rugged coast with great views of the wild sea and the Kaikoura ranges, you might even be lucky enough to spot a seal on the rocks in the winter months.
Western suburbs
Karori Park
Karori Park has a flat asphalt path around the perimeter.
Wrights Hill, Karori
Wrights Hill can be reached by wheelchair up a zig-zag path from the car park. This reserve provides impressive views of the city and is well-known for its extensive World War II fortifications.
Karori Cemetery
Karori Cemetery is New Zealand's second largest burial ground, covering nearly 40 hectares. There are many heritage and historic sites at the cemetery. It is easy to access and has with wide paved roads and paths.
There are two heritage trails in Karori Cemetery:
Eastern suburbs
Coastal walkway – Eastern
Enjoy the beautiful views along the pathway from Worser Bay to Scorching Bay.
Worser Bay Beach is a large, sandy inner-harbour beach with views of the Ororongorongo Range, Steeple Rock and Seatoun Beach.
Head along the path to Scorching Bay, which has a large grassed area and is sheltered from the northerly wind. It is a great place to soak up the sun and watch ships entering and leaving the harbour.
Walking-only tracks
To ensure public safety and enhance the experience for walkers and runners, some parks and tracks are closed to mountain biking and cyclists. To find a bike-free track, check out our Walking-Only Tracks map.
Dogs
Dogs must be on leads outside dog exercise areas.
Dog owner responsibilities
Dog exercise areas in Wellington