One of the most popular things to do in Wellington, New Zealand's windy capital, located on the southernmost tip of the North Island, is to hike up to the summit of Mount Victoria.
Mount Victoria sits just outside the business district and can easily be reached on foot from town; just walk all the way to the end of Courtney Place! Follow the purple signs up the trail.
I highly recommend following Google Maps to also locate the filming location of the Hobbit's Hideaway where the hobbits hid from the Ringwraiths in Lord of the Rings!
If you aren't keen on hiking, you can also drive to the summit where you can enjoy 360 degree panoramic views overlooking the international airport, the harbour and the bustling city below.
Finish your walk by coming back down via signs to Oriental Bay, a sweet little harbour front with a beach where you can wander along the little shops and bustling waterfront restaurants and ice cream trucks (yes, I take my ice cream seriously!).
Photos by Wouter Speybrouck
MOUNT VICTORIA HIKE DETAILS
When: year-round
Where: Wellington, New Zealand
Difficulty: easy
Length: give yourself about half an hour each way; it's 2km up to the summit which climbs 196m
Directions: from downtown Wellington, walk to the end of Courtney Place until it turns into Majoribanks Street; the trail begins at the end of the street and you've just got to follow the purple signs
Bathrooms: no
Public Transit: it's just a 15 minute walk out of town, so no need!
