How you can still enjoy a city break in your campervan – Wellington

How you can still enjoy a city break in your campervan – Wellington

Winding down in the windy city of Wellington might be a bit different on your campervan trip, but we promise you that after hearing about this city, you will want to make the stop.

Renowned as the coolest capital in the world, Wellington is the cultural hub of New Zealand condensed into a very walkable city teeming with trendy cafes, countless restaurants, and a surprising amount of nature.

Tucked away at the bottom of New Zealand's North Island, Welly is the gateway to the South Island for those on wheels, and it's worth a few days' stay for exploring. Thanks to its location and the surrounding sea, this city is the windiest in the world and on any day can bring a slew of weather changes - but not to worry, even if the sun isn't shining, there is plenty to do in Wellington.

City Sights

Fuel up on caffeine, go thrifting and dine out (good luck choosing, one, with more eateries per capita than New York City)! Stroll up Cuba Street, and don't forget to check out the alleyways like Hannah's Laneway, where you'll find hidden bars, bakeries, and more. This city is also bursting with breweries and brewpubs, including Garage Project, Parrotdog, and Heyday to name a few. Grab a beer trail map and pop around for pints.

Te Papa Museum is a must. With its six floors and incredible exhibitions, you'll lose hours wandering around. It's great for all ages and free of charge for everyone. Check out the Weta Cave for an interactive tour through the films for any LOTR fans out there.

Stretch Your Legs

For a large city, it's easy to forget about soaking up a bit of nature but don't worry, Welly has plenty of this. Get your beach fix with a walk along Oriental Parade, a wide walking path that hugs the city and the shoreline. Pop over to Lyall Bay, the main surf beach (and dog beach), where you'll find iconic cafes like Maranui Surf Club. The city is surrounded by trails, each color-coded and easy to follow. The Southern Walkway is a great way to see the city from above, taking you from Oriental Bay to Island Bay via Mount Victoria, a popular 360 viewpoint. Another great option is to visit Zealandia, an expansive wildlife sanctuary across 32km trails that restores the land to its original habitat.

Date night

Put away the camp stove and dress your best for a night in the town. Plan a date night going out for a meal at one of the top restaurants like Ortega Fish Shack, Highwater Eatery, and Logan Browne, or grab a takeaway and sunset picnic at Oriental Beach. Search for Hawthorne Lounge, CGR, and Puffin for cocktail connoisseurs, each hidden throughout the city.

If seeing a show is how you like date night, from comedy to concerts, ballet shows, and films; there is something for everyone at the local venues such as BATS Theatre, Fringe Bar, and San Fran. Is dancing on the cards? Check out Laundry Bar, catch a drag show, and stay for a boogie at Ivy Bar. Courtenay Place is teeming on weekends, thanks to the uni student population, and there are plenty of places pouring pints and blasting tunes.

Welly on a good day

A famous saying in the windy capital goes, "you can't beat Wellington on a good day." And it's true! Perfect sunny windless days are rare in this part of New Zealand, but when they arrive, everyone shows up. Spend hours strolling through the Welly Botanic Gardens, where you'll find rose gardens, viewpoints, and grassy lawns perfect for picnics. Patios fill, and we highly recommend booking into Dirty Little Secret and The Arborist, two very cool rooftop bars. On Sunday mornings, check out the waterfront markets where you can fill up on cheap produce and grab grub from a plethora of food trucks. Welly is also known for multiple festivals throughout the year, including the beloved Cuba Dupa and Newtown Fest, both worth visiting.

Sleep in the city in your campervan - where to stay?

Sleep in a city? Won't that be loud? Thanks to Welly's surrounding sea, there are epic campsites near the crashing waves.

Battle Hill Farm Forest Park

If you are looking for a place to stay that doesn't come with the whole bush experience, then book a night here. With non-powered pitches and a stream running through for the kids, you can park up on the grassy flats and enjoy time in nature close to the city. Minimal facilities but the park does include running water and a toilet block.

Prices start at $8 per person.

Red Rocks Reserve

Put half a day aside for this easy coastal walk to Red Rocks, and be sure to check out the fur seal colony on the south side of Wellington. This scenic coastal camp spot is also free of charge for self-contained campers. Just pack in and out everything you need for a comfortable stay.

Wellington Top 10 Holiday Park

Located in Petone, a suburb of Wellington, the Top 10 has everything you need in terms of facilities and amenities. You can cook up a storm in the camp kitchen or relax in the lounge after a day of city exploring. Catch up on your laundry and let the kids run free around the park.

Prices start from $45.

While city life might feel different with a campervan, we urge you to give the coolest capital in the world a chance. Check out vans in the North Island and start your NZ road trip soon!

Coming from the South Island? Check out the ultimate Queenstown to Wellington road trip!