Mount Victoria Town Belt

Within walking distance of Wellington’s central city, Mount Victoria is a prominent feature of the capital’s landscape and part of the Wellington Town Belt. The area provides a green space for hiking, cycling, or simply enjoying the views.

The land was set aside in 1841 by the city’s founding fathers for a “public recreation ground for the inhabitants of Wellington”.

The forest is a mixture of pines and macrocarpa, as well as natives such as rimu, pōhutukawa, and kōwhai. The birdlife is abundant, and it is common to be able to spot endemic species such as tūī, kākā, kererū, and kākāriki.

In recent years it has become a popular destination for mountain bikers, with 12 priority tracks and a large network of others. Filming for ‘Lord of the Rings’  happened along one of the tracks.

The mountain’s summit is easily accessible by car or bus via Alexandra Road, or via a network of walking and cycle tracks from surrounding suburbs. There is a large car park at the summit and another parking area near the toilet block. There is wheelchair access at the top car park but steps to the lookout. The walking tracks are well-maintained, but steep in places.

The sunny, inner-city suburb of Mount Victoria showcases historic homes with a variety of architectural styles on display, from Victorian to Art Deco.