City
Upper Hutt
Upper Hutt can perhaps be best described as a harmonious juxtaposition. While much of it can have a gritty, industrial feel, largely due to its history, it’s also a real breath of fresh air and home to some of the best natural places to explore in the country. The city has embraced both of these qualities over the years to turn itself into an immensely popular place to visit.
From the sprawling Kaitoke Regional Park, with its swimming holes, walking tracks, and its own little slice of Middle Earth, to the ever-popular Staglands Wildlife Reserve, there are plenty of spots to explore for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Venture towards the heart of the city centre and you’ll encounter Brewtown, a beer craft connoisseur and foodie’s paradise that also doubles as an entertainment hub.
Sprinkled elsewhere throughout the city you’ll find art galleries, cosy cafes, and all manner of eateries from chicken shops to sandwich bars to keep you nourished.
01 Dough Upper Hutt
836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt Central, Upper Hutt
Come for the art, stay for the coffee and doughnuts at Dough Bakery in Upper Hutt – conveniently located in one of the town's most popular cultural haunts.
02 Tricky's Sandwich Co
7 Lion Court, Upper Hutt Central, Upper Hutt
It’s hard to beat a good sandwich – and Tricky’s Sandwich Co is a family-run sandwich joint that have made it their business to be unbeatable.
03 Maidstone Max
Maidstone, Upper Hutt
Only a hop, skip and throw from Upper Hutt’s CBD is Maidstone Park.
04 Cake & Kitchen
887 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt Central, Upper Hutt
Cake & Kitchen is a cafe in Upper Hutt, bringing people together over delicious food and coffee.
05 Whirinaki Whare Taonga
836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt Central, Upper Hutt
Whether it’s dinosaurs or the Mona Lisa, Whirinaki Whare Taonga is an arts centre that simply refuses to do boring.
06 Keihei Chicken
450 Fergusson Drive, Heretaunga, Upper Hutt
A bright, bold splash of yellow on Fergusson Drive, Keihei Chicken brings more than just warmth and colour to this otherwise grey corner of Upper Hutt.
07 Gerry's Charcoal Chicken
4 Keys Street, Elderslea, Upper Hutt
On a small side street in the sleepy suburb of Elderslea, you’ll find what appears to be an unassuming - if not slightly dated - takeaway shop.
08 Humble & Grand
106 Main Street, Upper Hutt Central, Upper Hutt
Making its home in Upper Hutt is Humble & Grand, a homeware store stocking an assortment of contemporary and classic goodies.
09 Brewtown Eat & Drink
27 Blenheim Street, Maidstone, Upper Hutt
Widely regarded as Wellington’s premier craft beer destination, Brewtown isn’t just a mecca for beer lovers, but also for those who simply appreciate good food...
10 Brewtown Entertainment
27 Blenheim Street, Maidstone, Upper Hutt
Long synonymous with Wellington’s unparalleled craft beer scene, Brewtown is quietly but effectively growing a reputation as the region’s ultimate...
11 Kaitoke Regional Park
Kaitoke, Upper Hutt
A lush sanctuary nestled in the foothills of the Tararua mountains, Kaitoke Regional Park has an ethereal allure that captivates visitors new and old alike - and it’s not just down to its Lord of the Rings connections.
12 Jean's
687A Fergusson Drive, Elderslea, Upper Hutt
Upper Hutt’s Fergusson Drive may often feel like a long, monotonous road, but thanks to its little boutique shops like Jeans, you can find plenty of life and character...
13 Fig Tree Café
386 Fergusson Drive, Heretaunga, Upper Hutt
Nestled in the leafy green suburb of Heretaunga, the Fig Tree Cafe has made its home in a converted church.
14 Take Me Back Traders
117 Main Street, Upper Hutt Central, Upper Hutt
Take a trip down memory lane at Take Me Back Traders, a family-run vintage and retro store that specialises in sourcing one-off treasures – from unique collectables to furniture and homeware.
15 Staglands
2362 Akatarawa Road, Akatarawa Valley, Upper Hutt
Tucked away deep in the Akatarawa Valley, Staglands is a serene wildlife reserve with a focus on encouraging each visitor to nurture a genuine connection to and appreciation...
16 Cars Inc.
6 George Daniels Drive, Trentham, Upper Hutt
What started out as simply a young boy with a passion has turned into a lifelong project for car enthusiast Paul Boden, and the opening of Cars Inc.
Cities
Lower Hutt
