Considered the city’s playground, Wellington Outer Green Belt is a strip of undeveloped green land that stretches north along Wellington’s ridgetops. Walking and biking tracks weave through the landscape, which encompasses forests, hills, and the rugged south coastline.
There are numerous ways to experience Wellington’s Outer Green Belt: hike along the 7.4-mile (12-kilometer) Skyline Walkway; climb to the summit of Mt. Kaukau; speed down the mountain bike tracks of Makara Peak; stroll among native plants at Otari-Wilton’s Bush botanic garden; see fur seals at the rugged Red Rocks; or spot rare birds at Zealandia ecosanctuary.
ManyLord of the Rings location tours make stops at sites in the Outer Green Belt, such as Lyall Bay in Red Rock, where Sam and Frodo reach the Black Gate inThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.
Wellington Outer Green Belt offers a tranquil escape from the city for outdoor adventurers.
The Wellington region is notoriously windy and rain is common in winter; it’s worth bringing a wind and water-proof outer layer.
Some areas of the Outer Green Belt, such as the Brooklyn wind turbine at Te Kopahou Reserve and Zealandia ecosanctuary, are wheelchair-accessible.
Many parts of the Wellington Outer Green Belt are accessible by public transport; buses connect the inner city with Otari-Wilton’s Bush and Zealandia. For direct links and the freedom to explore without relying on transport connections, explore as part of an organized tour.
Explore Wellington Outer Green Belt is in summer, when mild and dry weather is best-suited to outdoor fun. In new Zealand, the summer season occurs from December to February.
In addition to the Outer Green Belt, Wellington also has a protected Town Belt—a 1,050-acre (425-hectare) chunk of the city that includes parks and recreation spaces. Though it’s more modest in size than the Outer Green Belt, the Town Belt still presents a wealth of outdoor spaces, including Mt. Victoria and Te Ahumairangi Hill.