Guidebook for Lower Hutt
Food Scene
Great food in a charming setting just a few minutes walk away. Won "Cafe of the Year Wellington area 2016". All food is made on the premises and the cakes are incredible!
14 residents recomanen
Sweet Vanilla Kitchen
49 Pretoria StGreat food in a charming setting just a few minutes walk away. Won "Cafe of the Year Wellington area 2016". All food is made on the premises and the cakes are incredible!
Delicious baked goods to take home plus a cafe for breakfast, lunch or just coffee and cake. Only a few minutes walk from your B&B.
Janus Bakkerij
700 High StDelicious baked goods to take home plus a cafe for breakfast, lunch or just coffee and cake. Only a few minutes walk from your B&B.
Friendly neighbourhood pub just two minutes walk from here. Pub grub, easy going atmosphere.
Brew'd Boulcott
669 High StreetFriendly neighbourhood pub just two minutes walk from here. Pub grub, easy going atmosphere.
Delicious food presented beautifully. Probably the prettiest food you will ever eat! They offer some options that are quite different from the usual "bacon and eggs"and the coffee is great. Friendly service too.
8 residents recomanen
Comes & Goes
259 Jackson StDelicious food presented beautifully. Probably the prettiest food you will ever eat! They offer some options that are quite different from the usual "bacon and eggs"and the coffee is great. Friendly service too.
Beannie Cafe
198 Jackson StFriendly service, good food
Delicious cakes and a good selection of breakfast, bruch and lunch foods. Friendly service.
Cafe Figg
196 Jackson StDelicious cakes and a good selection of breakfast, bruch and lunch foods. Friendly service.
Cafe/restaurant serving delicious Italian food plus a full delicatessan selling cheeses, salami and cured meats, breads, cakes, gelato and Italian supplies. Lovely friendly staff, many of whom are from Italy.
15 residents recomanen
La Bella Italia
10 Nevis StCafe/restaurant serving delicious Italian food plus a full delicatessan selling cheeses, salami and cured meats, breads, cakes, gelato and Italian supplies. Lovely friendly staff, many of whom are from Italy.
Situated above a rowing club, right on the beach at Petone. Great food with the best views out across Wellington Harbour.
32 residents recomanen
Seashore Cabaret
160 The EsplanadeSituated above a rowing club, right on the beach at Petone. Great food with the best views out across Wellington Harbour.
Lively place with simple, delicious, unpretentious food served casually by friendly staff. Great for groups, great for couples. Menu changes with the seasons. Food is always wonderful.
43 residents recomanen
Loretta
181 Cuba StLively place with simple, delicious, unpretentious food served casually by friendly staff. Great for groups, great for couples. Menu changes with the seasons. Food is always wonderful.
Cool little restaurant and bar in a quirky building just off Cuba Street. Delicious food, serving in "sharing plates" style.
81 residents recomanen
Havana Bar
34 Wigan StCool little restaurant and bar in a quirky building just off Cuba Street. Delicious food, serving in "sharing plates" style.
For the best ice cream, the best yoghurt, the best locally made cheeses (especially feta and haloumi), Greek cakes and baking and their amazing, made-famous-by-Scarlett-Johansson chocolate cake. No stay in Lower Hutt is complete without a visit to this little shop! Everything is delicious here.
"Speaking to E News, the star said "there was this incredible place in Wellington called Zany Zeus that had the best piece of chocolate cake I've had in my entire life".
"Give me that chocolate cake."
Johansson would drive for 35 minutes to the cafe, located in the suburb of Moera."
11 residents recomanen
Zany Zeus Ltd
149 Randwick RdFor the best ice cream, the best yoghurt, the best locally made cheeses (especially feta and haloumi), Greek cakes and baking and their amazing, made-famous-by-Scarlett-Johansson chocolate cake. No stay in Lower Hutt is complete without a visit to this little shop! Everything is delicious here.
"Speaking to E News, the star said "there was this incredible place in Wellington called Zany Zeus that had the best piece of chocolate cake I've had in my entire life".
"Give me that chocolate cake."
Johansson would drive for 35 minutes to the cafe, located in the suburb of Moera."
Friendly little place. Just a coffee shop, not a big sit-down cafe. Great place to stop and grab a takeaway coffee on your way into Wellington.
The Coffee Box
424-434 High StFriendly little place. Just a coffee shop, not a big sit-down cafe. Great place to stop and grab a takeaway coffee on your way into Wellington.
Parks & Nature
Nature reserve/park with lots of walks from easy strolls up the gentle slopes, to a little bit tougher. Pretty park setting for picnics, if you don't feel like exerting yourself.
14 residents recomanen
Percy Scenic Reserve
5 Dowse DrNature reserve/park with lots of walks from easy strolls up the gentle slopes, to a little bit tougher. Pretty park setting for picnics, if you don't feel like exerting yourself.
The Southern Walkway is an 11km walk along the Town Belt between Oriental Bay and Island Bay.
The total walk can be completed in 4–5 hours depending on fitness and interest.
The greatest attraction of this walkway is the variety of scenery, from views of the harbour and central city at Oriental Bay, the shade and tranquillity of the Town Belt forest to the rugged and exposed Southern coastline between Houghton and Island Bays.
Although the walk is steep in places, it is not difficult overall and is suitable for those of average fitness. Various access points from suburban streets allow you to complete the walkway in stages if you choose.
19 residents recomanen
Southern Walkway
The Southern Walkway is an 11km walk along the Town Belt between Oriental Bay and Island Bay.
The total walk can be completed in 4–5 hours depending on fitness and interest.
The greatest attraction of this walkway is the variety of scenery, from views of the harbour and central city at Oriental Bay, the shade and tranquillity of the Town Belt forest to the rugged and exposed Southern coastline between Houghton and Island Bays.
Although the walk is steep in places, it is not difficult overall and is suitable for those of average fitness. Various access points from suburban streets allow you to complete the walkway in stages if you choose.
The City to Sea Walkway starts central Wellington near Parliament and ends at the south coast, 12km away in Island Bay.
See the Botanic Garden and two historic cemeteries
and several observatories, Cable Car, Victoria University,
walk through part of Aro Valley with its turn-of-the-century cottages, walk along bushy Town Belt tracks, exposed ridge tops and through native and exotic vegetation, spectacular views of central Wellington, southern suburbs of Newtown, Berhampore & Island Bay, Government House,the Brooklyn wind turbine, Mount Victoria, Mount Kaukau and Cook Strait
-distant views of the Tararua, Rimutaka and Kaikoura ranges. Walk takes about 6−7 hours but can be done in stages.
7 residents recomanen
City To Sea Walkway
The City to Sea Walkway starts central Wellington near Parliament and ends at the south coast, 12km away in Island Bay.
See the Botanic Garden and two historic cemeteries
and several observatories, Cable Car, Victoria University,
walk through part of Aro Valley with its turn-of-the-century cottages, walk along bushy Town Belt tracks, exposed ridge tops and through native and exotic vegetation, spectacular views of central Wellington, southern suburbs of Newtown, Berhampore & Island Bay, Government House,the Brooklyn wind turbine, Mount Victoria, Mount Kaukau and Cook Strait
-distant views of the Tararua, Rimutaka and Kaikoura ranges. Walk takes about 6−7 hours but can be done in stages.
Visit Wellington Botanic Garden and enjoy its 25ha of unique landscape, protected native forest, conifers, specialised plant collections, colourful floral displays, and views over Wellington city. The garden is classified as a Garden of National Significance by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture and is an Historic Places Trust Heritage Area.
Entry is free.
You can take the Cable Car from Lambton Quay in Central Wellington to the top of the gardens, or enter from Thorndon.
Lovely cafe by the rose gardens.
203 residents recomanen
Jardí Botànic de Wellington
101 Glenmore StVisit Wellington Botanic Garden and enjoy its 25ha of unique landscape, protected native forest, conifers, specialised plant collections, colourful floral displays, and views over Wellington city. The garden is classified as a Garden of National Significance by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture and is an Historic Places Trust Heritage Area.
Entry is free.
You can take the Cable Car from Lambton Quay in Central Wellington to the top of the gardens, or enter from Thorndon.
Lovely cafe by the rose gardens.
Arts & Culture
Great little museum, where you can learn about the early settlers in the Hutt Valley/Wellington Area. Set right on the beachfront, so lovely for a walk afterwards on a good day. Seashore Cabaret Cafe just a short stroll away too.
17 residents recomanen
Petone Settlers Museum
160 The EsplanadeGreat little museum, where you can learn about the early settlers in the Hutt Valley/Wellington Area. Set right on the beachfront, so lovely for a walk afterwards on a good day. Seashore Cabaret Cafe just a short stroll away too.
A "must see" for any visitor to the Wellington area. Te Papa is the Museum of New Zealand. Learn about New Zealand's earliest history, our peoples, our culture, our lands and our wildlife. Give yourself at least half a day here if you can!
222 residents recomanen
Cable Street near Te Papa Museum
A "must see" for any visitor to the Wellington area. Te Papa is the Museum of New Zealand. Learn about New Zealand's earliest history, our peoples, our culture, our lands and our wildlife. Give yourself at least half a day here if you can!
Interesting Art Gallery in central Lower Hutt with changing displays and usually featuring New Zealand artists. Good cafe on site.
50 residents recomanen
The Dowse Art Museum and Dowse Square
45 Laings RdInteresting Art Gallery in central Lower Hutt with changing displays and usually featuring New Zealand artists. Good cafe on site.
In 2013, when it was known as the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, it was named as one of the world's 50 best museums, after Britain's The Times commissioned a panel of ''inveterate'' museum-goers to come up with the a list of the world's 50 best museums. (It was ranked at no 41)
The list largely favoured European and United States museums with just a handful from the Southern Hemisphere.
No other New Zealand museum made the list and only the Australian Museum in Sydney got a mention in Australia.
I have visited here numerous times and never tire of the stories of local history and well laid out exhibits.
70 residents recomanen
Museu de Wellington
3 Jervois QuayIn 2013, when it was known as the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, it was named as one of the world's 50 best museums, after Britain's The Times commissioned a panel of ''inveterate'' museum-goers to come up with the a list of the world's 50 best museums. (It was ranked at no 41)
The list largely favoured European and United States museums with just a handful from the Southern Hemisphere.
No other New Zealand museum made the list and only the Australian Museum in Sydney got a mention in Australia.
I have visited here numerous times and never tire of the stories of local history and well laid out exhibits.
Katherine Mansfield is New Zealand’s most internationally famous author. She was a writer of short stories, poetry, letters, journals and reviews, and changed the way the short story was written in the English language. She was a rebel and a modernist who lived her short life of 34 years to the full. Her life spanned a time when gender roles for women underwent a radical change. This is her childhood home. Her memories and experiences here were recreated in her most famous short stories, The Aloe, Prelude, A Birthday, The Dolls' House, and The Wind Blows.The House and Garden is only 10 minutes walk from the Parliament buildings or Old St. Paul’s Cathedral. Small entry fee.
10 residents recomanen
Katherine Mansfield House and Garden
25 Tinakori RdKatherine Mansfield is New Zealand’s most internationally famous author. She was a writer of short stories, poetry, letters, journals and reviews, and changed the way the short story was written in the English language. She was a rebel and a modernist who lived her short life of 34 years to the full. Her life spanned a time when gender roles for women underwent a radical change. This is her childhood home. Her memories and experiences here were recreated in her most famous short stories, The Aloe, Prelude, A Birthday, The Dolls' House, and The Wind Blows.The House and Garden is only 10 minutes walk from the Parliament buildings or Old St. Paul’s Cathedral. Small entry fee.
Essentials
Our local supermarket. Not the closest supermarket to our home (though still less than a three minute drive), but where I usually shop, because of their friendly service and good range of products.
7 residents recomanen
New World Hutt City
Bloomfield TerraceOur local supermarket. Not the closest supermarket to our home (though still less than a three minute drive), but where I usually shop, because of their friendly service and good range of products.
Less than a two minute drive from here. A large supermarket with a good range of products. You have to pack your own groceries. Good bakery selection.
10 residents recomanen
PAK'nSAVE Lower Hutt
20 Brunswick StLess than a two minute drive from here. A large supermarket with a good range of products. You have to pack your own groceries. Good bakery selection.
A larger New World than the Lower Hutt store. This store has great bakery, wine and fish. A good option if you've been in Wellington for the day and need to get supplies on your way home.
51 residents recomanen
New World Thorndon
150 Molesworth StA larger New World than the Lower Hutt store. This store has great bakery, wine and fish. A good option if you've been in Wellington for the day and need to get supplies on your way home.
Getting Around
Wellington International Airport. Car rental available. You can get a taxi to Lower Hutt from here (approx $75) or the Airport Flyer bus (departs every 10-20 mins) to Queensgate Mall in Lower Hutt, which is a ten minute walk from your B&B.
55 residents recomanen
Wellington International Airport
Stewart Duff DriveWellington International Airport. Car rental available. You can get a taxi to Lower Hutt from here (approx $75) or the Airport Flyer bus (departs every 10-20 mins) to Queensgate Mall in Lower Hutt, which is a ten minute walk from your B&B.
All Lower Hutt buses go via this Mall, so you can change buses here if you wish to go to Wellington, Wellington Airport or Eastbourne.
57 residents recomanen
Queensgate Shopping Centre
Bunny StreetAll Lower Hutt buses go via this Mall, so you can change buses here if you wish to go to Wellington, Wellington Airport or Eastbourne.
This is the main interchange railway station on the Upper Hutt/Wellington line. ALL trains on this line stop here, whereas not all stop at Epuni Station, which is one stop further north (and slightly closer to your B&B).
7 residents recomanen
Waterloo Station
This is the main interchange railway station on the Upper Hutt/Wellington line. ALL trains on this line stop here, whereas not all stop at Epuni Station, which is one stop further north (and slightly closer to your B&B).
Entertainment & Activities
Located in the old Labour Hall, now converted into a boutique cinema with five small theatres (the smallest holds just ten people, the largest one hundred). The seats are comfortable two-seater couches. Shows art house moves, some foreign films and the occasional Blockbuster movies. Have wine, beer or coffee while you watch your film, then wander nearby Jackson St for an after movie dinner (or pre movie).
35 residents recomanen
Light House Petone
52 Beach StLocated in the old Labour Hall, now converted into a boutique cinema with five small theatres (the smallest holds just ten people, the largest one hundred). The seats are comfortable two-seater couches. Shows art house moves, some foreign films and the occasional Blockbuster movies. Have wine, beer or coffee while you watch your film, then wander nearby Jackson St for an after movie dinner (or pre movie).
Independent cinema located in the heart of the Cuba St district, just opposite Havana Bar and Restaurant. Three small cinemas showing a range of quality independent films and the occasional blockbuster. Comfortable double couch-style seating. Have a wine, beer or coffee with your film. Then wander the Cuba St area afterwards to complete your evening.
52 residents recomanen
Light House Cuba
29 Wigan StIndependent cinema located in the heart of the Cuba St district, just opposite Havana Bar and Restaurant. Three small cinemas showing a range of quality independent films and the occasional blockbuster. Comfortable double couch-style seating. Have a wine, beer or coffee with your film. Then wander the Cuba St area afterwards to complete your evening.
Circa Theatre started life in 1976 after a breakaway group of actors and theatre practitioners decided a new way of producing theatre was required for New Zealand. Enlisting the assistance of others who worked outside of theatre, a new ‘less is more’ model was created and a pared-back theatre space was built. In the succeeding years Circa has gained a reputation as one of New Zealand’s liveliest and most innovative theatres. In November 1994 Circa moved to its current premises at 1 Taranaki Street, next door to Te Papa.
12 residents recomanen
Circa
1 Taranaki StCirca Theatre started life in 1976 after a breakaway group of actors and theatre practitioners decided a new way of producing theatre was required for New Zealand. Enlisting the assistance of others who worked outside of theatre, a new ‘less is more’ model was created and a pared-back theatre space was built. In the succeeding years Circa has gained a reputation as one of New Zealand’s liveliest and most innovative theatres. In November 1994 Circa moved to its current premises at 1 Taranaki Street, next door to Te Papa.
This Iconic movie theatre at the end of Courtenay Place was built in 1924 and restored to its former glory in time for the World Premier of The Lord of the Rings:the Return of the King in 2003. It has one large and two smaller cinemas, showing a range of Blockbuster films and some independent movies. It is one of the theatres involved in the annual Wellington International Film Festival in July/August every year.
59 residents recomanen
Embassy Theatre
This Iconic movie theatre at the end of Courtenay Place was built in 1924 and restored to its former glory in time for the World Premier of The Lord of the Rings:the Return of the King in 2003. It has one large and two smaller cinemas, showing a range of Blockbuster films and some independent movies. It is one of the theatres involved in the annual Wellington International Film Festival in July/August every year.
Nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s movie-making capital, Miramar, Wellington, The Roxy Cinema has brought back the romance and magic of cinema to New Zealand.
The cinema began life as The Capitol Theatre in 1928, before being converted into a shopping mall, Capitol Court, in the late 1960s. The Roxy Cinema opened its doors on 1 April 2011 after an extensive $6 million rebuild.
The complex now houses two luxurious state-of-the-art cinemas, the 60-seat licensed Coco at the Roxy restaurant and café (with stunning interior features created by the extraordinary team at Weta Workshop) The Cinema complex has received accolades internationally for its authentic Art Deco design.
84 residents recomanen
The Roxy Cinema
5 Park RdNestled in the heart of New Zealand’s movie-making capital, Miramar, Wellington, The Roxy Cinema has brought back the romance and magic of cinema to New Zealand.
The cinema began life as The Capitol Theatre in 1928, before being converted into a shopping mall, Capitol Court, in the late 1960s. The Roxy Cinema opened its doors on 1 April 2011 after an extensive $6 million rebuild.
The complex now houses two luxurious state-of-the-art cinemas, the 60-seat licensed Coco at the Roxy restaurant and café (with stunning interior features created by the extraordinary team at Weta Workshop) The Cinema complex has received accolades internationally for its authentic Art Deco design.
Known to some locally as "The Cake Tin" (you'll know why when you see it), this is the main Wellington venue for big events-Rugby, Soccer, concerts. Direct access from Wellington Railway Station makes getting to your event a breeze. Leave the car at your B&B and simply take the train.
56 residents recomanen
Estadi Westpac
105 Waterloo QuayKnown to some locally as "The Cake Tin" (you'll know why when you see it), this is the main Wellington venue for big events-Rugby, Soccer, concerts. Direct access from Wellington Railway Station makes getting to your event a breeze. Leave the car at your B&B and simply take the train.
Sightseeing
The Mount Vic lookout is one of Wellington's "must do" tourist activities.
For stunning views of Wellington, to the Hutt Valley and across to the South Island- on a clear day you can see the Southern Alps.
Be prepared for a windy but wonderful experience. The slopes of Mount Victoria also have lots of walkways and tracks, so leave the car at the top and take a good walk around.
There are several "Lord of the Rings/Hobbit filming sites on Mt Vic too.
178 residents recomanen
Mirador del Mont Victoria
Lookout RoadThe Mount Vic lookout is one of Wellington's "must do" tourist activities.
For stunning views of Wellington, to the Hutt Valley and across to the South Island- on a clear day you can see the Southern Alps.
Be prepared for a windy but wonderful experience. The slopes of Mount Victoria also have lots of walkways and tracks, so leave the car at the top and take a good walk around.
There are several "Lord of the Rings/Hobbit filming sites on Mt Vic too.
New Zealand's unique Parliament building "The Beehive". Potentially the ugliest building in Wellington, but also the most recognisable, it is part of the Parliamentary precinct. You can tour Parliament for free and it is well worth the visit. While you don't get to see inside the Beehive itself, you do get a tour of the beautiful old Parliamentary buildings and the Parliamentary Library. Fascinating. https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/visit/
49 residents recomanen
Beehive
1 Molesworth StreetNew Zealand's unique Parliament building "The Beehive". Potentially the ugliest building in Wellington, but also the most recognisable, it is part of the Parliamentary precinct. You can tour Parliament for free and it is well worth the visit. While you don't get to see inside the Beehive itself, you do get a tour of the beautiful old Parliamentary buildings and the Parliamentary Library. Fascinating. https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/visit/
See "The Beehive" (below) for details. Take an hour and do the free tour. Well worth it!
23 residents recomanen
Parliament House
1 Museum StSee "The Beehive" (below) for details. Take an hour and do the free tour. Well worth it!