Guidebook for Lower Hutt
Food Scene
Cobar Restaurant
612 Marine DrBeautiful food, beachfront view. http://www.cobar.co.nz/
Woodfired pizza, cafe & icecream during the day. http://daysbaypavilion.co.nz/
24 locals recommend
Days Bay Pavilion
611b Marine DrWoodfired pizza, cafe & icecream during the day. http://daysbaypavilion.co.nz/
Cotti Cafe
612 Marine DrCute wee cafe on Days Bay beach. http://www.cotti.co.nz/
Hive
16 Rimu StNice food right in the village
Golden Palace Takeaway
12 Rimu StFish & Chips, Chinese Meals. My favourite Fish & Chips.
Parks & Nature
You can walk in here from my place - no transtport required. Native & introduced bush and birdlife, good views. Tracks are a bit steep and a good workout. Short and long walk options.
17 locals recommend
East Harbour Regional Park
You can walk in here from my place - no transtport required. Native & introduced bush and birdlife, good views. Tracks are a bit steep and a good workout. Short and long walk options.
Matiu/Somes Island
It's a fun boat ride out, lots of history on this little island
A real mix of suburban and bush tracks - scenic plus some insight of the city.
http://wellington.govt.nz/recreation/enjoy-the-outdoors/walks-and-walkways/beyond-the-city/northern-walkway
Northern Walkway
A real mix of suburban and bush tracks - scenic plus some insight of the city.
http://wellington.govt.nz/recreation/enjoy-the-outdoors/walks-and-walkways/beyond-the-city/northern-walkway
A real mix of suburban and bush tracks - scenic plus some insight of the city.
http://wellington.govt.nz/recreation/enjoy-the-outdoors/walks-and-walkways/across-the-city/southern-walkway
19 locals recommend
Southern Walkway
A real mix of suburban and bush tracks - scenic plus some insight of the city.
http://wellington.govt.nz/recreation/enjoy-the-outdoors/walks-and-walkways/across-the-city/southern-walkway
Great swimming / sunbathing beach. Kayak hire, icecream shops, cafe's, a wharf you can jump off, ferry to Matiu/Somes Island & Wellington city. This is a 10 minute walk from my place or a 2 minute drive (with free parking).
26 locals recommend
Days Bay
Great swimming / sunbathing beach. Kayak hire, icecream shops, cafe's, a wharf you can jump off, ferry to Matiu/Somes Island & Wellington city. This is a 10 minute walk from my place or a 2 minute drive (with free parking).
Hire a mountain bike and ride around the harbour to Pencarrow Lighthouse and beyond. The Pencarrow Coast Road is unsealed and quiet (occasional private vehicles to watch out for, but mostly walkers and cyclists. Look out for wild goats on the hills, if you're really lucky dolphins or orca entering or leaving the harbour, cruise ships sailing fairly close by.
Best done on a calm or mild southerly wind day (otherwise you're riding into the wind on the way back).
Also a really nice walk if you prefer. Completely flat.
http://www.bikeshedpencarrow.com/
10 locals recommend
The Bike Shed - Pencarrow
519 Muritai RdHire a mountain bike and ride around the harbour to Pencarrow Lighthouse and beyond. The Pencarrow Coast Road is unsealed and quiet (occasional private vehicles to watch out for, but mostly walkers and cyclists. Look out for wild goats on the hills, if you're really lucky dolphins or orca entering or leaving the harbour, cruise ships sailing fairly close by.
Best done on a calm or mild southerly wind day (otherwise you're riding into the wind on the way back).
Also a really nice walk if you prefer. Completely flat.
http://www.bikeshedpencarrow.com/
A proper climb to walk up to the TV broadcast mast (not too long but very steep). Amazing views when you get there.
43 locals recommend
Mount Kaukau
A proper climb to walk up to the TV broadcast mast (not too long but very steep). Amazing views when you get there.
Arts & Culture
The Dowse Art Museum and Dowse Square
45 Laings RdLower Hutt's iconic art museum. Free entry.
New Zealand's national museum. https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/
222 locals recommend
Cable Street near Te Papa Museum
New Zealand's national museum. https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/
http://www.mch.govt.nz/pukeahu-national-war-memorial-park
22 locals recommend
National War Memorial Hall of Memories
Taranaki Street http://www.mch.govt.nz/pukeahu-national-war-memorial-park
Weta Workshop (FX designers for Lord of the Rings) display. http://wetaworkshop.com/visit-us/the-weta-cave/
174 locals recommend
The Weta Cave
1 Weka StWeta Workshop (FX designers for Lord of the Rings) display. http://wetaworkshop.com/visit-us/the-weta-cave/
One of the largest collections of local marine life in New Zealand, including a very gymnastic octopus or two. Only open Sundays. http://www.octopus.org.nz/
22 locals recommend
Island Bay Marine Education Centre-Bait House Aquarium
213 The EsplanadeOne of the largest collections of local marine life in New Zealand, including a very gymnastic octopus or two. Only open Sundays. http://www.octopus.org.nz/
Essentials
Countdown
45 Jackson StPAK'nSAVE Petone
124 Jackson StNew World Hutt City
Bloomfield TerraceNot as cheap as the big supermarkets in Petone, but much more convenient.
7 locals recommend
Four Square Eastbourne
10 Oroua StNot as cheap as the big supermarkets in Petone, but much more convenient.
Entertainment & Activities
Light House Petone
52 Beach StSightseeing
Wind farm with walks and great views out over Cook Strait. https://www.meridianenergy.co.nz/about-us/our-power-stations/wind/west-wind
West Wind - wind farm
140 Opau RdWind farm with walks and great views out over Cook Strait. https://www.meridianenergy.co.nz/about-us/our-power-stations/wind/west-wind