5 Best Sights in Greater Wellington, Wellington and the Wairarapa

This sprawling tipple-town is an embodiment of a sunny summer's afternoon feeling. Brewtown is conveniently within walking distance from Upper Hutt train station. On site are five award-winning breweries and a whisky distillery, spread around a large green of picnic tables on which to enjoy the vast menus of elevated bar food. Guided tours are available and are a great way to get a behind-the-scenes look and taste of the best in town. All five senses, not just taste, are stimulated at Brewtown: also on-site is a raceway, an ice skating rink, a ten-pin bowling alley, a large trampoline park, an indoor paintball field, and a multiplayer VR gaming station! Essentially a massive playground, Brewtown is incredibly family-friendly, so everyone can join the fun.

The innovative designers and effects wizards at Weta have brought many high-profile movies to life. At Weta Cave, you get a fascinating "behind the scenes look" detailing the characters and equipment used in special effects for the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit series, Avatar, King Kong, and many other award-winning films. Memorabilia (think models, limited-edition sculptures, books, posters, and T-shirts) is sold at the on-site shop. Departing from the Cave are your choice of two popular tours guided by industry experts. The workshop tour showcases original props, costumes, and the artists at work. The miniature effects tour explores how miniatures, lighting, and clever camerawork make for some of the most iconic shots in cinema history. You can also pre-book special interactive workshops to try your hand at sculpting, special effects make-up, and even making chain mail.

From Petone, a winding road leads south about 10 km (6 miles) to the suburb of Eastbourne. Have an alfresco bite in its tiny shopping area before driving on to where the road eventually transforms into a 4-km (2½-mile) walking trail, following the coast to Pencarrow Head and its lighthouse, with views across the strait. There's a kiosk where you can rent a bike, or for more adventure, The Boatshed has kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for hire.

A 15-minute drive north of Wellington on State Highway 2—with magnificent harbor views all the way—leads you to the Hutt Valley and its namesake river. The Petone Esplanade, on the eastern side of the harbor, has good fishing from the wharf and is overlooked by houses clinging to steep bush-clad hills. On the waterfront, visit the small but interesting Petone Settlers Museum; it's open Wednesday through Sunday, 10–4. Housed in the historic Wellington Provincial Centennial Memorial building, the free museum stands near the 1840 landing site of New Zealand's first organized European settlement. Nearby, Jackson Street is home to many boutique shops and eateries.

Near Petone, this museum stages a changing array of exhibitions—including ones focused on extraordinary jewelry, fashion, photography, and ceramics—that showcase the creativity of New Zealand's artisans.