Home to the Beehive, the country’s best cookies (Leeds Street Bakery), cable cars, Te Papa, Weta Workshop. We’ve put together our weekend favourites for venturing to our country’s capital for an exciting few days away.
Check out a few of our favourite dog friendly destinations in one of New Zealand’s coolest cities.
Soak it all up: Panoramic views from Mount Victoria
Chuck on your activewear and leash up your pup because a round-up of the best dog friendly things to do in Wellington wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the city’s famous Mount Victoria. Hike up to the summit rising almost 200m above the city for spectacular, panoramic views of the city, harbour and beyond. Want to know a way to make it even better? Do it at sunrise or sunset. We can guarantee the early start will be worth it!
Oh hello, Oriental Parade
Expect to be stopped at least a handful of times as your furry friend mixes and mingles with locals of the four-legged kind. Soak up the warm weather (if you’re lucky enough to avoid the wind) and wander along to Oriental Parade Beach. Refuel with an ice-cream, admire the views and you’ll realise why the locals say “you can’t beat Welly on a good day!”
A Sunday at the markets is a Sunday well spent
Wellington’s Harbourside Market has been providing Wellingtonian’s with the goods every Sunday morning since 1920. Boasting a fine selection of groceries, artisan goodies, delicious baked treats and fresh flowers, we’re certain a browse with your dog in tow won’t disappoint.
Tip: Make sure you come hungry, we can guarantee your eyes will be bigger than your stomach as you make your way around the numerous food trucks lining the market path. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Stroll under the sun at the Botanic Gardens
Featuring 25 hectares of unique landscape, colourful floral collections and stunning views over the city, Wellington’s Botanic Gardens provides a leisurely outing for the older dogs among us. Admire mother nature around you whilst your pup sniffs and smells along the way. And before you wander home, be sure to check out the serene landscape of Ōtari Native Botanic Garden and Wilton’s Bush Reserve – the only public botanic garden in New Zealand dedicated solely to native plants.
Let them run free at Lyall Bay
A very popular destination for the local dogs of Welly (and one we just couldn’t leave out) is Lyall Bay Beach. Featuring an all-day off-leash area. Lyall Bay is the perfect place to let your canine companion run free, burn off some energy, socialise with locals and make friends along the way.
Refuel at The Rogue & Vagabond
Just off Cuba Street sits Glover Park, within this sweet little spot you’ll find nestled away, The Rogue & Vagabond – a craft beer bar specialising in amazing beer, delicious pub food and the best variety of live music. For a bowl of curly fries and a cold pint after a big day exploring, The Rogue & Vagabond is the place to be and better yet, with your furry friend. Take a seat on a sun-drenched bean bag outside, play with your pup and let the good times (and tennis balls) roll.
Just a quick one? Head to Golding’s Free Dive Bar
Golding’s Free Dive Bar has been the city’s ideal, no-nonsense neighbourhood bar since early 2013 and has built a loyal following, for good reason. Tucked away down Leeds Street in Te Aro, Golding’s colourful interior and quirky artwork create a warm ambience inside which your pup gets to experience too! While drinks of alcoholic nature are prohibited from being consumed by dogs (obviously), dogs are still more than welcome to take a seat next to their human pal at the table and socialise. We love this for us.
Prefer to sit down and sip?
A favourite among locals is ‘Bernie’s on the Bay’ – a sweet little food and drink kiosk, serving up a quick bite to eat and better yet, many pups to pat! Home to good food and outstanding coffee, Bernie’s on the Bay is named after a very special pup named El Bernardo, aka “Bernie”. While Bernie the beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog is sadly no longer with us, we hope he knows how popular his namesake is with both locals and visitors alike. Obviously, a much-loved companion, we love that his memory lives on in this very cool and very epic little eatery.
