Most Instagrammable Spots in Wellington, New Zealand for Gorgeous Photos

1.4K

In this post, we plop down at the center of New Zealand to find the most instagrammable spots in Wellington city.

This is a different tune to my slow travel themes of connecting to local culture and people. But I can’t deny the importance of the ‘Gram. That feed aesthetic is how we rope people in to talk about the topics that actually matter. And until that changes, Instagram will continue to be a priority.

And Wellington – the capital of New Zealand – is chockfull of wild beauty. It also sports a rich culture, with a culmination of art, cuisine, and Government communities mingling together. It is positively Kiwi.

Here are the most Instagrammable spots in the stunning Wellington, New Zealand.

Related: Most Instagrammable Places in the South Island, New Zealand

Most Instagrammable Spots in Wellington, New Zealand for Gorgeous Photos

Scorching Bay

Do yourself a favor and drive out to Scorching Bay. Make sure you take the bay route so you get nothing but water as you curve around the peninsula. Perch on pretty much any spot along this road and you’ll snap something Instagram worthy.

If you’re wanting golden sand, aim for Scorching Bay and its crystal clear waters.

Turquoise water and sun-bleached rock pebbled along the sand will make for some tropical images. Not to mention the soaring cliffside and charming beach houses lined along the road. Catch Scorching Bay on a sunny day, and go early as it loses the sun quickly!

Pro tip: if you don’t want people around, many tiny beaches are exposed by the low tide so you can take your photos away from the main attraction. But please respect the locals!

Mount Victoria Lookout

I wouldn’t be a Wellington blogger if I skipped Mount Victoria Lookout, though it’s not quite my favorite spot.

It’s pretty epic… but everyone goes here. I don’t know about you but I like some peace and quiet for my photography.

But the hype is well-founded. The lookout gives you a 360-view of Wellington so you can stand in awe of the rolling hills, ancient waters, and beyond. 

Best part… the rolling blanket of homes tucked into hills light up at night, making a starry sky below your feet. And if you have long hair, strong winds will enable your wildest Pocahontas fantasies. Who doesn’t want that shot?

Definitely one of the coolest New Zealand Instagrammable spots and also a Wellington staple.

Related: 5 Most Scenic Drives in Wellington, New Zealand

Point Dorset

Not many know about Point Dorset and that’s fine by me. This is a wild, forlorn place, an outcropping of cliffs where I could picture a maiden searching for sailors lost at sea.

Bring a long dress and a zoom lens to tell the story of this ethereal spot. Park up on Great Harbour Way and walk the Eastern walkway trailhead all the way out to Point Dorset… around 15 minutes. 

Along the way, frolic among wild fennel and find old forts from World War II with their burrowed tunnels still intact. Fascinating to explore and strategically placed as a vantage point out to sea.

Bonus: this spot rises above a nude beach. Once you’re finished with Point Dorset, head down there for a different type of fun.

The hills of Roseneath

There isn’t a single spot in the suburb of Roseneath that I can pinpoint for that perfect photo. Just drive around and you’ll find 20 Instagrammable spots in 5 minutes.

When I feel down, I take a drive up here. Not just for the views but for those narrow, winding roads. Art Deco houses, views over the bay, and curving trees provide such an aesthetic and invites you in to that Wellington charm.

This is also where St Gerard’s Church & Monastery sits, the iconic cathedral rising over Oriental Bay in magnificent glory.

Go up Roseneath during golden hour and watch rays of buttery sunlight cut across the hills in a myriad of golds. This is a truly stunning part of Wellington and you’ll be jealous of every millionaire who lives on that hill.

Tawatawa Reserve

The Tawatawa Reserve is virtually unknown to both tourists and locals. Little does anyone know this is one of the most scenic spots in Wellington.

The lookout at the end of Quebec St is an old Maori burial ground where a stone Pouwhenua (statue) keeps watch. It looks out to the expanse of Wellington, down into Island Bay, and the peaks of the South Island appear far in the distance on a clear day.

If you’re lucky, a few horses might be hanging around as it’s a popular place for horseback riding. It’s a quiet and charming little place for those Wellington views so I feel confident about choosing it as one of New Zealand’s most Instagrammable spots.

Red Rocks

I dub this place as “sunny Scotland”. The gargantuan sea cliffs remind me of the Highlands without all the rain and gloom.

I did a photoshoot here with a friend and have wanted to return ever since. This is another stunner for golden hour for the way the sun rays branch across the cliffs. Cars can only go so far so park up at Te Kopahou Visitor Centre and go the rest of the way on foot. Unless you have a 4WD, then you’re in for an epic ride.

This isn’t a place for swimming. Waves crash hard into rock with a wicked riptide.

But this is a place to tell a story, which is why it deserves a spot on our list.

What makes a spot “Instagrammable” anyway? 

Finding epic landscapes is one of travel’s greatest joys. And it’s important to reacquaint ourselves with nature, the sun, and the tides.

But what makes a spot Instagrammable anyway? In my opinion, it’s anywhere you can access the soul of a place and tell its story.

So as you’re out there clicking photos with your fancy camera, remember what travel is actually about. We show dramatic landscapes to awe people with the rewards of nature preservation. We shoot quaint alleyways and charming little towns to showcase rich cultures. And we tell stories of people around the globe to remind of our shared humanity.

Take the epic photo, but don’t forget to tell the story.

This has been the most Instagrammable spots in Wellington, New Zealand.

Off you go with your camera now.