A lovely place for an afternoon picnic, the Botanic Garden between Thorndon and Kelburn are an easy walk from central Wellington. Visit the duck pond, or hike up to the cable car for picturesque views of Wellington Harbor. The gardens are beautiful in spring and summer, and are free year round.

Take an easy walk up to the Mt. Victoria Lookout or set aside an afternoon for hiking through the major trails. Mt. Vic offers free fun, with gorgeous views of both the city and sea.

The first bit of bush I saw in New Zealand, Central Park is amazingly secluded given its central location within the city. Nestled between Mt. Cook and Brooklyn, find your way through this slice of forest, popping across tiny wooden bridges to admire the natural streams that cross the park. This is not the time to suppress your inner child– no trip to Central Park would be complete without a ride on the flying fox!

Take a walk around Wellington Zoo, located at the far end of Newtown. New Zealand’s oldest zoo is home to some cute critters, including little blue penguins and shy kiwis. Have a close encounter with a red panda or go for a native bird talk at the roost.

The return of warm weather really only means one thing for my inner child: outdoor pools! Trek up to Thorndon for a visit to their classic lane pool. While about half of the pool fills up with children, the rest stays blissfully quiet as swimmers cut up and down the lanes. Bask in the sun on the stadium-style steps, or pop in for a dip. You’ll spend the afternoon feeling like a kid again, in the best possible way.

The nature setting and animals at Staglands make it an ideal spot for a family day out or romantic afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Both adults and kids will love meeting the critters in the barn, a bushwalk or cart ride and a picnic or cafe lunch.

So many spots to choose from! Over summer, a night of food and drink on the lawn at the Sound Shell while listening to a live show is divine, while the hill by the playground and The Dell are also awesome spots for eating, drinking and sunbathing!

Pack a picnic and hit the sand at Oriental Bay. The rocky sand means it won’t fly up and get in your food, while there’s New World on the way to grab some last-minute treats! After filling up, lie down in the sun and digest for 30 minutes before a splash in the sea.

The top of Mount Vic is ideal for a picnic (especially a romantic one) during the day or night. Get intrepid and climb the mountain or drive to the top, sit down and look out over the city or stargaze! Bliss!

It was with a heavy heart I discovered the Kapiti cheese and ice cream shop here had closed. Luckily, there’s still the farm you can visit to meet heaps of cute animals - and you can even pack your own cheese for a picnic in the sun on a fine day. An awesome escape from the city!

Located in the charmingly named Happy Valley, situated just past Island Bay, is Carlucci Land. I know what you're thinking but tired, cliched mini golf this certainly aint. Crafted in a scrap yard theme, the course is fun, well-designed and inexpensive. 18 courses are included for a reasonable $12 entrance fee. Perhaps in keeping with the suburb's name, an honesty box collects your pennies. Great fun. 

Surely the most fun way to enjoy Wellington’s waterfront.

Whilst Wellington's CBD is compact, diverse and culturally rich (ignore whatever John Key would have you believe), the most rewarding experience the capital can offer is, for me, not to be found in the bars or theatres of Cuba St, Lambton Quay or Courtenay Place. The lesser known Scorching Bay, Owhiro Bay and Seatoun are all worthy of exploration and thankfully all within 10 kms of the CBD, making Wellington ideal for day trips. The lovely fellows over at On Yer Bike can help you get out of that dull gym and onto the reasonably flat, bendy roads of the Miramar peninsula for just $20 per day. No guarantees about the Wellington weather can be made, but gazing out into the Cook Strait on a warm day from Owhiro Bay is truly memorable.

Indoor paintballing right in the heart of the city. Great way to spend a day with friends or colleagues. Reasonably priced, heaps of fun and, providing you can take the pain, game after game.

Encouraged by a friend and in spite of my skepticism about the concept and the price, I went along to Social Cooking late last year. However, the novelty of the idea in practice, as well as the enthusiasm and genuine passion of the staff, contributed to winning me over. Working in pairs, you are firstly given a demonstration of how to cook the dish (one of the dishes was Beef Wellington) and then set loose on your own. A novel, unusual but ultimately fun way to spend an evening with friends or colleagues. Keep an eye out for bargain deals.

An amazing group of super friendly Wellington staff out to teach our youngsters about tv, music, animation, computer game production, as well as theatre performances and more. It’s such a relevant organisation (not for profit too!) with all the latest technology. There really is something fun and educational for every type and age of child!

A mixture of indoor and outdoor activities wise(!) but still one of the coolest places to visit with the little ones…everyone loves the zoo! They have awesome animal encounters like, cheetah, big cat, giraffe and red panda, and educational talks every half hour or so. If you’re super keen you can even do a zoo sleepover!

So much fun to be had here! The slides are as good as their names suggest…Xtreme Speed Slide, The MasterBlaster and Darkness Falls…all for a mere $4. There’s also a wave pool, giant inflatable obstacle courses and plenty of opportunity for swimming lessons and fitness courses. Highly recommended!

Take your kids here and just watch their jaws hit the floor as the interactive Planetarium show starts…guaranteed ‘ooohs and ahhhs’ as well as plenty of brain food! Be sure to ring ahead as they have to close reasonably regularly for maintenance and big group bookings. A brilliant way to explore the Wellington skies and beyond.

Just mentioning to the kids that you’re visiting this place at they’ll be hit the ceiling! That’s because it RULES. Tenpin bowling, laser strike, arcade games, pool tables and a restaurant with a super scrumptious menu. They do regular daily specials like unlimited bowling on Wednesday evenings, as well as Junior League bowling with coaching and competition. A sweet place for birthday parties too!

Oriental bay is one of the most scienic central city destinations. Look out over the harbour, and take a stroll through the Norfolk pines. There are BBQ facilities in the park opposite the beach, and you can grab a delcious gelato for dessert from Kaffe Eis.

Perfect for a day trip, the Kaitoke regional park provides free to use BBQs, and a beautiful view of the Rimutakas also. When you need to escape the city, there is nothing better than native bush and quiet.

Staglands is home to so many beautiful animals, and it's amazing to see them in such an idyllic place as Akatarawa valley. Probably the best destination for a Vegan or Vegetarian BBQ.

Otari-Wilton's Bush is Wellington's native-only botanic garden. It's not far from central wellington, so transport isn't a huge issue. There are BBQs and picnic sites free for use. This is a great place to take both locals, and people from out of town!

Island Bay beach on a good day, is simply stunning. The view, and the sandy beach make it the perfect spot for a Kiwi picnic or BBQ (byo BBQ). Dip your toes in the water, or relax and enjoy the sunset!

Hands down the best gym in Wellington. Their staff are super friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. They can get you back on the fitness bandwagon with the huge selection of classes and quality equipment.

Mt Vic is the go to spot for burning off all those Christmas cakes before or after work. Jump on your mountain bike for a variety of trails (of which there are various skill levels) or huff and puff your way to the best views in Wellington at the lookout.

With the sea on one side and the CBD on the other, and no traffic in sight, you can run for several KMs without having to worry about crossing crazy busy streets. Strap on rollerblades or just go for a leisurely run to battle the bulge.

Training for a triathlon? Freyberg pool is the place to do it. Overlooking the harbour it is a beautiful spot. Pity it gets so crowded and the "fast" lane is some what slow… 33m pool in length and $5.90 per session. Recommend buying a 12 trip ticket. Also small gym upstairs.

When the weather is nice, or even when the weather is not so nice, nothing beats a walk along the waterfront. With the sea air filling your lungs and the blood pumping in your veins, its bound to help clear that head. For those hot sunny hungover days, a quick dip in the ocean has been known to speed up the recovery time!

The Mount Vic lookout is a beautiful place to admire Wellington’s beauty. There are two ways to the top; stairs, stairs and more stairs or through the ‘wildness’ that looks like the set of Lord of the Rings itself, and some of it actually is. After today’s early morning adventure, I decided it would be great to learn some yoga poses for the next time I decide to pop up there.

Whether or not you are a fan of flowers, nothing beats a sunny afternoon stroll through the botanical gardens. It’s the perfect place to take the kids for a picnic, or even treat that special someone for a romantic date.

The Wellington Waterfront is at its best when drenched in warming sunshine. On a sunny day its the perfect place to go for a stroll and a an ice cream, or take a seat on one of the benches and soak up some of that Vitamin D.

Wellington Zoo makes for a solid afternoon’s entertainment for animal lovers. Its new walk-through "Neighbours" exhibit features Australian fauna, including dingoes, wallabies and kangaroos, while "Hero HQ" is home to chameleons, stick insects and a rather horrific bird-eating tarantula. If you’re a local who hasn’t been for a couple of years, don’t cross it off your list – new exhibits open regularly, and you’re bound to be surprised at how much has changed. (And the zoo’s chief executive, Karen Fifield, has gone on the record about her goal of snow leopards by 2020.)

There’s nothing like an affogato on a hot day, and Cafe Moana does one of the best in Wellington. The coffee cart was once a horse float, but is now something of a fixture on the waterfront in the summer months. It’s often parked near the diving platform by Te Papa, across from Mac’s.

Chocolate Fish Cafe isn’t the easy to access without a car, but it’s worth the trip for the view of Wellington harbour alone. The cafe itself is styled like a bach, with bean bags, blankets, and a great range of reading material, and the menu reads like a celebration of honest Kiwi fare: toasted sandwiches, seafood dishes, and ice blocks. For those who can’t pick between a caffeine hit and a refreshing ice cream, there’s affogato on offer, too – served with the cafe’s namesake, a chocolate fish, on the side.

It’s easy to take the City Gallery for granted when you’ve lived in Wellington for a while, but the fact is, it’s excellent. The variety of exhibitions, the expertise of the staff, and the frequent lectures and events make it a great way to exercise your mind on a lazy afternoon – and the adjoining Cafe Nikau is the perfect place to refuel afterwards. As part of the gallery’s recent push for greater engagement with patrons, it’s been running competitions on Instagram and holding karaoke nights, too.

If your idea of a lazy Sunday includes some exercise, join the masses in walking along the waterfront to Freyberg Pool and Fitness Centre. Once you’ve worked up an appetite in the pool or at the gym, you can reward yourself with a bacon sandwich or smoothie from the adjoining Bernie’s on the Bay cafe. Be sure to say hello to its namesake, Wellington icon Bernie the Bernese mountain dog.

Olympic length swimming lanes, steamroom, sauna and spa, plus an on-site gym, and massage therapists! This place is great! Even better, before and after your swim you can walk around Oriental Bay! Such a good walk on a sunny day!

The Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre is a fantastic facility. They've got all the bangs and whistles, plus a daytime swim there can be super relaxing. If you have children to entertain, they have wonderful kiddie pool facilities as well.

Thorndon Pool has got to be the premier public outdoor pool in Wellington. This place is marvelous for a swim or a sunbathe. It's definitely the most social of public swimming pools, in a fantastic way. If you work in the central city, try heading out there for some lunchtime or after work exercise.

I have some very fond childhood recollections of this swimming pool. Now they have a hydroslide and big inflatable toys for children to climb over. Give your children that swimming pool memory!

As soon as this place re-opens in summer, I'll be dropping past at least once. A decent sized pool surrounded by outdoor walking tracks, picnic eras, and for those of us a bit more fancy, a nearby cafe! Very good on sunny days, so much lush outdoorness!

Nothing quite like shooting your mates … great fun running around the bush.

Some unique climbing walls - and the automatic belayers are awesome.

Nothing like embracing your inner Tarzan :)

No day out would be complete without racing around in circles

A tranquil spot minutes walk away from central city. Good for a lunchtime walk or an evening jog you can sit by stream and contemplate life. Or if you’re already sorted: push some kids off the fly fox and have a go.

Sometimes you just need to sing. However, your flatmates often don’t like you belting out Bohemian Rhapsody while they’re trying to finish their really important cross stitch. If you’re in the same situation then head on up to the "Botans". The bowl is the perfect place to practice your opera singing… or just sit back and enjoy the fresh air.

Politics drives Wellington. So wrap your head around the inner workings of our democracy and take a tour. Stop by the giftshop on the way out and pick up some Parlia-MINTS. Oh the puns. Also a great place to just sit on the lawn and think about life and the way things are going.

Probably the largest campsite on this list, and definitely the most viewed. Kaitoke Regional Park is at the base of the Rimutaka hills, spread over large flat grassy areas, there is definitely no shortage of space for your camping crew. Kaitoke boasts a formidable amount of native wildlife and fauna, more inclined with the original vegetation of the Akatarawa area. The activities available range from rafting, to walks and tramps for all ages, or just relaxing within the confines of the campground. The campground is probably most well known for its role as Rivendell in the Lord of the Rings and you can access the filming site though no physical remnants of the filming remain. Definitely my pick of this bunch purely due to its locality to both the Wairarapa over the Rimutakas and into Wellington, alongside the tremendously beautiful natural surrounding you find yourself in. Prices per night 18 & up - $6 5-17 - $3 Under 5yrs free

Situated at the western entrance to the Tararua Forest Park just over an hours drive outside of Wellington is the Otaki Forks campsite. Surrounded by river terraces and bush, with access to the Otaki river gorge, alongside a large variety of walks for all experience levels, you will be able to lose yourself in a place far removed from the hustle of city life. At only $6 a night for adults $3 for those aged 5-17 and free for under 5 it makes for a wonderful place to visit especially if your inclined towards tramping and walks in nature. Prices per night 18 & up - $6 5-17 - $3 Under 5yrs free

Out the back of Wellington, 12km past Wainuiomata is the Catchpool Valley campsite. Camp next to a stream and involve yourself in the nature that surrounds you. Placed at the entrance to the Rimutaka Forest Park, which by chance happens to have some of the best mountain bike trails available in the Wellington region if that’s your thing. With a multitude of walks available and large array of native birds and fauna, this campground is definitely worth taking a trip to. With full facilities available (that means hot showers) and the large array of activities that cater to all ages and fitness levels you can fully explore some New Zealand’s finest bush and maybe even see a Kiwi if your really lucky. Prices per night 18 & up - $10 5-17 - $5 Under 5yrs free

Travel out to Maitu/Somes Island, in the middle of Wellington Harbour, and discover a fascinating getaway. The campsite on Maitu/Somes Island is surrounded by historical buildings, one of which now provides the basic campsite facilities that are available. Completely powered by renewable energy, take one of the guided walks, or even volunteer to help out in the various projects available and take in Wellington from the completely different point of view. Take note that only 12 people are allowed on site at one point in time so booking ahead is advised. Prices per night 18 & up - $10 5-17 - $5 Under 5yrs free

Everything else listed in here are in parks or reserves, which provide grounds and some facilities. But if that isn’t your style and you prefer some home comforts while you ‘camp’ the Kapiti Holiday Resort could be right up your alley, with a shower and toilet for every campsite. Just across the road from Paraparamu beach and only a 45-50 minute drive from Wellington. Natural beauty is in abundance on the beach and an easy walk down to the marine parade, which has all the usual suspects (café, restaurants and other boutique businesses) offers all the modern luxuries. Family friendly with playgrounds and even a skate park close by, wireless is even available for those who can’t keep away from the net. Prices per night 15& up - $20 5-14 - $10 Under 5yrs free