Lying just north-east of the creative hotspot that is Pōneke Wellington, the Hutt Valley tends to keep a low profile.
Dig a little deeper though, and you’ll find that this is one of the most underrated regions in the lower North Island.
Between the two of them, the cities that make up the region, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt, provide plenty of things to do, see, eat, and explore. Don’t ever conflate the two though - the cities enjoy an amicable, yet very real rivalry, and only by spending time in both can you appreciate the nuanced character of each.
The Hutt Valley has something for everyone, no matter where your interests lie, from some of the country’s top arts centres; an impressive range of restaurants, cafes and other eateries; and heaps of entertainment options for the whole family. There’s also plenty of nature to explore, as the Hutt is home to some of the North Island’s biggest and best natural playgrounds. With easy access to and from Wellington, including public transport options, getting to and exploring the various corners of the Hutt Valley is a breeze.
Welcome to the valley.
10 Trails in the Hutt Valley and Where to Treat Yourself After
La Bella Italia
Down an unassuming side street in industrial Petone, you’ll find La Bella Italia, Lower Hutt’s very own Little Italy.
Bellbird Eatery
Museum and art gallery cafes have really upped their game in recent years, evolving from simple refreshment pit stops to become attractions in their own right.
Tartines French Cafe
Tartines offers a small slice of French culinary delight, with handmade tarts, pastries, fresh bread and classic dishes that will have you mistaking Lower Hutt for Lyon.
Seashore Cabaret
This café definitely takes out the title for best view of the city.
Take Me Back Traders
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.
Trade School Kitchen
Described as the ‘living room of the Naenae community’, Trade School Kitchen is a not-for-profit community based cafe doing what it can to give back to its people.
Tricky's Sandwich Co
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.
Twenty Eight
Named for their address on Cornwall Street, Twenty Eight is a modern, well lit and welcoming Lower Hutt cafe serving up interesting cabinet food, a thoughtfully crafted...
The Merry Go Round
Head to The Merry Go Round to find out why one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Baylands Brewery
Based in Petone, Baylands Brewery and Taproom is a relaxed, welcoming space offering up a wide range of fresh beer and tasty food.
Percy Scenic Reserve
Once a private family garden in the late 1800s, Percy Scenic Reserve is today one of Lower Hutt's most cherished public spaces to take in serene vistas, explore historic plant collections and picnic by the duck pond.
Forage Merchants of Wellington
With a range that includes food and drink, health and beauty, art, music and so much more, Forage Merchants celebrates the very best of what the greater Wellington region has to offer.
48 Hours Hutt Valley
Just across the harbour from Wellington city lies the Hutt Valley, an underrated and outdoorsy destination offering popular eateries and a somewhat happening cultural scene.
Spending 48 hours in the Hutt Valley has never been so easy (in fact, you’ll likely be pressed for time!) as the sister cities of Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt continue to grow and offer an abundance of things to do.
There are picturesque parks and walking trails, bountiful shopping, arts scenes and an array of culinary delights, and this guide is designed to help you make the most of two days spent immersed in this vibrant community.
House of Good Fortune
Petone’s myriad side streets hold plenty of delightful surprises, and if you’re lucky enough, you might just stumble upon the House of Good Fortune.
Wanda Harland Design Store
Balancing fun and frivolity with being kind to our planet, Wanda Harland is a store in Petone that sells a range of sustainable home goods designed to last the distance.
Goldie
Nestled in the seaside village of Eastbourne and online, Goldie is a beautiful home and lifestyle corner store (and paradise) for design lovers.
The Dutch Shop
The Dutch Shop is a perennial favourite among Petone locals and visitors alike - particularly for those with a penchant for cheese.
Beers, Bites, and Bowling: A Guide to Upper Hutt’s Brewtown
Miss Fortune's
Lower Hutt’s industrial precinct isn’t exactly where you’d think to head for a slice of quintessential Wellington hospitality, but at Miss Fortune’s, you’ll find one of the region’s most charismatic little brunch spots.
Dough 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.
Small Batch, Ripe Coffee Roasters
This small but mighty Petone-based coffee roaster has well and truly established itself as a trusty local for many Hutt goers.
Staglands
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...
Brewtown Entertainment
Long synonymous with Wellington’s unparalleled craft beer scene, Brewtown is quietly but effectively growing a reputation as the region’s ultimate...
Whirinaki Whare Taonga
Whether it’s dinosaurs or the Mona Lisa, Whirinaki Whare Taonga is an arts centre that simply refuses to do boring.
Jean's
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...
Brewtown Eat & Drink
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...
Humble & Grand
Making its home in Upper Hutt is Humble & Grand, a homeware store stocking an assortment of contemporary and classic goodies.
The Dowse
Renowned for its creative spirit, the Wellington region is home to an enviable array of world-class art galleries and museums.
How to Spend a Day in Petone, Lower Hutt
Nestled along the picturesque shores of Wellington Harbour, Pito-one, or Petone, is a suburb of Lower Hutt offering a well-blended happy mix of old-world charm and modern-day sophistication. Its seaside location adds to its natural allure and its historic main street exudes a charm that is often hard to come by in small towns — or in this case, suburbs.
Kilim Petone
A revered name in Wellington’s Turkish scene, Kilim is synonymous with quality, hearty kebabs done well, with its reputation extending far beyond the Hutt Valley.
Studio Toru
Established by jeweller Philothea Flynn, Studio Toru is housed in one of Eastbourne’s original settler cottages, originally built by and for an Italian fishing family.
Fig Tree Café
Nestled in the leafy green suburb of Heretaunga, the Fig Tree Cafe has made its home in a converted church.
Gerry's Charcoal Chicken
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.
Lower Hutt
For a smallish city - often seen by many as an extension of Wellington - Lower Hutt certainly packs a lot of punch.
Only a short drive from the Wellington CBD and hosting an incredible range of things to see and do, it’s no wonder Lower Hutt is a popular day trip or weekend option for families around the region. Each suburb in the city brings a unique flavour to the overall Lower Hutt experience, from the arts and culture of central Lower Hutt; to the brunch, beach, and shopping hotspot of Petone; and the industrial yet welcoming embrace of Seaview. Like the Hutt River that weaves its way through the heart of the city, a sense of creativity and community is the common thread, linking the disparate locations together.
With some of the region’s trendiest cafes and plenty of cultural highlights to explore, it’s never a dull day in Lower Hutt.
Abandoned Taproom Petone
The upcycled furniture, the bike frame fence, and of course, the walls covered ceiling to floor in graffiti (literally, there’s writing on the ceiling).
Cars Inc.
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.
Comes & Goes
Comes & Goes is a brilliant addition to the Wellington café scene, bringing an explosion of edible flowers and culinary masterpieces that Wellingtonians are welcoming with open arms.
Goodness Boutique
Goodness Boutique is a mainstay on Jackson Street, Petone, providing great wardrobe choices to the fine people of greater Wellington since 2005.
Cake & Kitchen
Cake & Kitchen is a cafe in Upper Hutt, bringing people together over delicious food and coffee.
Kaitoke Regional Park
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.
Viva Mexico
This is not the place to be ordering chili con carne or hard-shell tacos. At Viva Mexico, you'll be treated to a true taste of Mexican in the Hutt.
Keihei Chicken
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.
Schrödinger's Books
As the winner of NZ's Best Bookshop Award in 2021, Schrödinger's Books will hold any bookworm captive with its well-curated selection of books housed in a beautifully restored space in Petone.