Sight guide · Wellington · New Zealand
Visiting Waterfront walk to Oriental Bay
A promenade runs about 2 km from Queens Wharf past Frank Kitts Park, the Wellington Writers Walk plaques and Te Papa to Oriental Bay's sandy city beach and diving platform.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jacques Marier, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Waterfront walk to Oriental Bay is a waterfront in Oriental Bay, Wellington. Allow 1–2 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Waterfront
- Area
- Oriental Bay
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, outdoors, kids and couples
- Best months
- January–March
About Waterfront walk to Oriental Bay
A promenade runs about 2 km from Queens Wharf past Frank Kitts Park, the Wellington Writers Walk plaques and Te Papa to Oriental Bay's sandy city beach and diving platform. On calm days locals swim, kayak and jump off the wharves.
Tip: Walk it on a calm evening and stop for ice cream or fish and chips at Oriental Bay.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1–2 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Oriental Bay, art deco apartments and a city beach on the harbour.
Best time to visit Waterfront walk to Oriental Bay
Waterfront walk to Oriental Bay is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- February: 21°C (70°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, busy crowds.
- January: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, busy crowds.
- March: 19°C (66°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, busy crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-February the sun sets at about 20:25 local time (calculated for Wellington).
When to visit Wellington has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Waterfront walk to Oriental Bay is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Te Papa Tongarewa and Wellington Cable Car.
- No. 9 of the 18 sights in our Wellington things-to-do list.
- Listed in free things to do in Wellington.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Wellington.
- A family favourite in Wellington with kids.
If you like Waterfront walk to Oriental Bay
- Te Papa Tongarewa — Te Aro, 3–4 hours
- Wellington Cable Car — Lambton Quay and CBD, 1 hour with the lookout
- Wellington Botanic Garden — Kelburn, 1.5 hours
- Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne — Karori, 2–3 hours
Staying near Waterfront walk to Oriental Bay
Stay in Oriental Bay ($$$$) to walk here: art deco apartments and a city beach on the harbour. All areas to stay in Wellington.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Waterfront walk to Oriental Bay?
Plan 1–2 hours.
+Is Waterfront walk to Oriental Bay free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Waterfront walk to Oriental Bay?
January–March for the most comfortable weather. Walk it on a calm evening and stop for ice cream or fish and chips at Oriental Bay.
+Do I need to book Waterfront walk to Oriental Bay in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Waterfront walk to Oriental Bay good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Wellington. Wellington is easy with children: Te Papa is free and highly interactive, the cable car and Space Place are fun, and Zealandia, the zoo and the waterfront fill a few days.