From a Wellington local, this is a guide to the 17 best hidden gems in Wellington, New Zealand for some privacy and quiet. Wellington is quirky and compact, flush with best-kept secrets and relaxing places to explore. If you’re looking for some cool places around Wellington for a bit of me-time, the below guide is for you.
The older I get, the more I crave peace and quiet. Although I love living in the Wellington CBD, it keeps me busy and switched on. It can get exhausting.
An explorer at heart, I roam the Wellington streets on a weekly basis, searching for hidden gems where I can lounge and refill my cup. Lucky for me, the city is full of quirky charm and small establishments. Wellingtonians are experts at designing a “vibe” where people can hang for hours, drinking, browsing, or catching up with loved ones.
I’d like to share some of these spots in this post so that you know where to go if you want a low-key day.
Whether you’re looking for secret hidey-holes or new places to explore in Wellington, below are the 17 best hidden gems in and around the CBD for some privacy and quiet.
PS: there are so many hidden gem cafes in Wellington that they have their own post! Check them out here: The ultimate guide to the best hidden gem cafes in Wellington
Read also:
- 17 most romantic dining spots in Wellington for date night
- How I got into slow travel: a story
- 13 best beaches in Wellington, New Zealand: a complete summer guide
- Should you move to New Zealand? 10 questions to help you decide
- What New Zealand earthquakes taught me about life
17 Best Hidden Gems in Wellington for some privacy and quiet
Hidden Gems in Wellington for nature bathing: cool places outdoors
1. Point Dorset
Breaker Bay, Wellington 6022
It’s no secret Point Dorset is one of my favourite hidden gems in Wellington. It’s a lesser known nature spot so you often get the entire “Point” to yourself. Look out to sea, feel the cool breeze on your skin. It’s a delicious spot for a picnic and a bit of journalling.
Although it feels remote, it’s not hard to get there. From the trailhead off Inglis Street, it’s a mere ten-minute walk to the cliff edge. Amble through the Oruaiti Reserve out to Point Dorset, enjoying the scenic views along the way. The rolling hills, the endless sea. Fennel and grass swaying in the breeze.
It’s a forlorn place above the crashing shore where you can watch the tides breathe and the world change colour at sunset.
2. Tawatawa Reserve
End of Quebec Street, Kingston, Wellington 6021
Another best-kept secret, the Tawatawa Reserve is a Wellington marvel not many know about. I used to live at the end of Quebec Street, with the Tawatawa Reserve as my backyard. I know this land intimately well, and I often walked up there with a mug of coffee for a bit of solitude.
At the end of Quebec Street in Kingston, march past the gate and up to the Tawatawa Reserve. The hike takes less than a minute, a portal from Wellington suburbia into a natural wonderland with 360-views of Wellington.
If you’re lucky, you’ll also meet some horses. They’re used to people so don’t be afraid to say hello.
3. Mount Kaukau
49e Simla Crescent, Khandallah, Wellington 6035
Close to the city, Mount Kaukau Summit Trail is a great option to get outdoors and reconnect with nature. This kid-friendly trail is a local favourite, taking you up through quiet native bush. The trail offers views of the city and harbour, surrounding mountain ranges, and the sea.
Mount Kaukau is the most visible high point in Wellington, and it only takes about an hour to the top. It’s a lovely weekend activity when the weather’s behaving, a refuge from the city’s bustle to remind you of the surrounding New Zealand beauty.
4. Wellington Botanic Gardens
101 Glenmore Street, Kelburn, Wellington 6012
Although not necessarily a secret, the Botanic Gardens are still a decent hidey-hole in the busy city. Open to the public year-round, the series of gardens sprawl across a large chunk of land, and I always manage to find a quiet spot among flowers and strange foliage for some alone time.
The Wellington Botanic Gardens are incredibly beautiful. Most famous is the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, but I’m often drawn to the Herb Garden or the Kauri Rock Garden. There’s a sense of dark academia here, especially on a moody Wellington day.
Come with a book and picnic blanket, and replenish your spirit in this tranquil hidden gem.
Read more about forest bathing in the Botanic Gardens, one of the most quiet places in Wellington.
5. Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne
53 Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington 6012
We can thank the Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary for bringing birds back to Wellington. The ecosanctuary is a 500+ acre conservation project responsible for revitalising Wellington’s bird life, vibrant with species that would have otherwise disappeared. The forest is home to over 40 rare species of native wildlife, and one of the best areas to hang out in Wellington.
On mornings and evenings, the forest erupts in birdsong, and it’s one of the most beautiful sounds you’ll ever hear. Explore the sanctuary on your own, or book a guide to take you through its secret corners. They even do photography tours!
Hidden Gems in Wellington for a cheeky drink
6. Havana Bar
32a/34 Wigan Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
Havana Bar is set inside a cosy cottage, easily missed when walking past during the day. For a long time, I didn’t realise the colourful building was a bar until a friend took me there for a cheeky drink.
Havana Bar is actually two historic cottages from the late 19th century, fused together to serve cocktails, tapas and seasonal plates to die for. Although it gets busy on the weekends, the atmosphere is warm and intimate, with a lovely garden out the back.
It’s one of the best hidden gems in Wellington to drink rum with friends or impress a date with the delectable foods.
7. Puffin Wine Bar
60 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
The Puffin Wine Bar, or just Puffin, hides in plain sight on Ghuznee Street. Barely signposted, it’s a venue with a special place in my heart for the day I stumbled in drunk and seated across Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her partner, Clarke Gayford.
I’m not one to be star-struck but as a public servant at the time, I immediately regretted my daydrinking decisions as I stole furtive glances at my boss’s boss’s boss’s boss.
Puffin is endearingly pretentious with its velvet seats and inflated drinks menu and charcuterie boards. It’s a place to dress for, to feel like you’re in-the-know. And if you’re overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask the staff to make decisions for you. They love to flaunt their knowledge.
8. Meow
9 Edward Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
An eclectic venue, Meow is hidden away on Edward Street often hosting live music from local artists immersed in an electronica atmosphere. Come for the music and stay for the vibes. Meow is another local hideout, often described as a dramatic living room, lined with bookshelves and premium lighting to dance the night away.
The venue attracts Wellington’s literature community, and it’s hard to imagine a livelier place than one where poets and musicians come together and throw a good time.
Meow always feels like a classy place to be on nights where I can’t be bothered with the clamour of Cuba Street or Courtenay Place.
9. Night Flower Punch House
level 1/55 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
Night Flower is a cocktail bar that reveals itself if you know where to look. Set inside one of Cuba Street’s heritage buildings, the cocktail lounge is dimly-lit, a venue that feels elitist with its cult following and reverent atmosphere. It describes itself as “subtle and sensual”, fitting given its dark interior and posh decor.
It’s important to know your flavours at Night Flower. Without a menu, they tailor drinks based on your preferences, concocting nameless cocktails customised to your desires.
Also read: 17 most romantic restaurants in Wellington for date night
Hidden Gems in Wellington for unique shopping
10. Kowtow
29 College Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
Wellington-based label Kowtow is the perfect pit-stop on the Wellington hidden gems trail to feel like you’re doing something good for the world.
A collection of high-end basics, Kowtow prides itself on an impressive sustainable ethos, with every stitch committed to fairtrade and ethical practices. The setting inside Kowtow feels clean and uncluttered, an easy atmosphere for a peruse while admiring the brand’s efforts for climate responsibility.
PS come well-stocked in the wallet. These are carefully woven garments from a highly celebrated local label and the prices speak for it.
11. Orient
29b College Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
Next door to Kowtow is the understated Orient, a cafe-slash-homeware gift shop stocking Japanese ceramics and other unique items. I’ve used Orient to stock my entire kitchen… first, for the elegant handcrafted design, second for the reasonable prices.
Grab a coffee or some dumplings from the bar, then take your time studying every stocked shelf, enchanted by wares you didn’t know you needed. The space is small so you don’t feel overwhelmed, a quiet shopping experience away from the crowds that might opt for the Briscoes around the corner.
12. Cre8iveworx
217 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
Despite the questionable spelling, Cre8iveworx is one of my favourite gift shops in Wellington to lose myself for awhile. They stock unique New Zealand-made gifts and an impressive collection of luxury apparel from artisanal brands.
Slip into the compact shop from Cuba Street and enjoy the cosy setting and wholesome things, perfect for gift-shopping or an indulgent self-splurge. The shop’s owners have an eye for style, since I always find something unique. And I’m forever impressed by the stylish garments that would make me a woman of vogue if I could afford more than one garment at a time.
13. Fragrifert Victorian Perfumery
1 Upland Road, Kelburn, Wellington 6012
If you’re looking for a unique experience in Wellington, Fragrifert Victorian Perfumery is a cool place to visit.
To feel positively Wellingtonian, take the Cable Car up to the Fragrifert shop. There, you’ll find fragrances crafted by artisan perfumer Francesco van Eerd, featuring New Zealand florals and other seasonal scents.
With incredible views over Wellington, the shop stocks perfumes and other curious items with a distinct steampunk vibe. It’s a sensory experience to try all the different perfumes and learn more about the craft of distilling from the knowledgeable staff.
Where to stay in Wellington: quirky and unusual accommodation
14. The Boho Bach
Fortification Road, Karaka Bays, Wellington 6022
To feel truly removed from the busy city, book a weekend stay at the Boho Bach. This 1950s bach is perched among native bush in Karaka Bays, equipped with a porcelain tub, an outdoor bath, and eclectic decor to feel transported into another world.
The bach is a 5-minute walk from Scorching Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in Wellington. It’s a glamorous experience to soak in the porcelain tub surrounded with teal walls, or take an outdoor bath while tuis and other birds chirp and swing across trees.
Read my review here: A psychedelic retreat at the Boho Bach
15. Sofitel
11 Bolton Street, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011
Blending local culture with French art de vivre, Sofitel is a luxurious boutique hotel in the Wellington CBD. Accented with the prestigious Jardin Grill, it’s the ultimate space to find comfort and elegance after a day of Wellington traipsing.
They offer a myriad of packages to suit your needs, including a gastronomy package and a romantic getaway the French way. Even if you’re a local, this is a VIP experience close to home for a special occasion, whether you have something to celebrate or want to indulge in a bit of self-care.
16. Ohtel
66 Oriental Parade, Oriental Bay, Wellington 6011
Along prestigious Oriental Parage, Ohtel is a unique five-star hotel experience with award-winning service. Some rooms even feature a balcony overlooking Oriental Bay, Wellington’s adored city-centric beach.
Soak in the oversized bath or make use of the hotel’s central location by exploring the surrounding area, from Te Papa to Courtenay Place to Oriental Parade.
17. Wellesley Boutique Hotel
2-8 Maginnity Street, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011
Another boutique hotel, Wellesley is set inside a historical building that wraps its arms around you with old-world charm. It’s also home to 1815 Cafe, a local secret often bustling with Wellington professionals on a lunch break or private meeting.
Wellesley’s rooms impress with their attention to detail and neo-Georgian design. You feel like you’ve stepped back in time as a lord or lady conducting important business in the grand venue, invigorated by good coffee and boardroom gossip.