Mount Victoria Lookout

Overview

Mount Victoria (Tangi Te Keo) rises directly above Wellington's eastern suburbs, and its summit lookout is the classic vantage point for the postcard view of the city wrapped around its harbour. It's also familiar to film fans as a location used in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, with several marked filming spots along the surrounding tracks.

The summit can be reached by a walking track through native and exotic forest, or by road for those who'd rather drive straight to the viewing platform — either way it's one of the easiest high viewpoints to reach from Wellington's CBD.

Things To Do

• Summit lookout — 360° views over the harbour, city and, on clear days, across Cook Strait to the South Island.
• Walking track — several routes climb from the surrounding suburbs through forest to the summit.
• Lord of the Rings filming sites — marked spots along the tracks used in the trilogy's early scenes.
• Mountain biking — a network of trails on the lower slopes, popular with local riders.
• Sunset and sunrise viewing — a popular time for photographers given the lookout's uninterrupted horizon.

Getting There

Mount Victoria is about 10 minutes' drive from the CBD, with a summit road for those driving. Walking tracks start from several points in the surrounding suburbs, including Hataitai and Oriental Bay.

Gallery

Nearby Attractions

Zealandia

A predator-free urban ecosanctuary a short drive across the city.

Wellington Cable Car

A short funicular ride connecting the city centre to the Botanic Garden.

Te Papa Museum

New Zealand's national museum, on the waterfront in central Wellington.

Reviews