GirlAboutTown's
Family day out
- 111Reading Cinema Courtenay PlaceWellington CentralI've been going to Readings for years and years, ever since I was a young teenager hanging out in the food court with mates waiting for our movie to begin! It's a quality entertainment establishment; I've always been satisfied and had a lot of fun checking out the latest movies here.
- 25The Enormous Crocodile CompanyWellington CentralA tried and true Wellington treat - hire a crocodile bike and explore the waterfront and Oriental Parade, but be sure not to run over too many unsuspecting pedestrians or crash into other cyclists - this is where the bell comes in handy! Can be rented as 2-seaters or 4-seaters and there's even space on the front for a baby or two to be strapped in tight. Highly recommended - lots of fun.
- 334So convenient to have the downstairs café in the museum itself so you don't have to cross lanes of traffic to get to Courtenay Place for lunch. Lots of fresh, delicious cabinet food and lots for the kids (fries as a treat!). Sunny and spacious. Recommended.
- 412Freyberg Pool & Fitness CentreOriental BaySo Freyberg has a spa, a sauna and a steamroom for $4.80ea but there are deals if you want a swim too, check out the prices board above the counter as you go in. Excellent spa facilities, always clean and they play some chill out pop music so you can relax to some sounds when you're having a soak! My favourite hotpools in town.
- 549Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club CafeLyall BayMy favourite café in Wellington and a killer spot for brunch. There's always a line leading down the stairs because it's so popular on the weekends, but a table is never more than a ten-fifteen wait. Super efficient staff and delicious brunches. Coffee is quick and the food takes a little longer because it's so popular. But just enjoy the views over Lyall Bay out the panorama windows - and on a windy day watch the kite-surfers get pummelled!
GirlAboutTown's
Where to take your sweet tooth
- 133Whether it's the freshest of fresh veges, dips, sauces, cheeses, breads - it's all waiting for you at Moore Wilsons on Tory. Convenient inner-city location and a foodie haven. My favourite Moore Wilsons snack is a pottle of taramasalata, some unctuous fresh cheese and some fresh crunchy bread.
- 25Dixon Street DeliTe AroDixon St deli is a classic Wellington brunch spot with a tempting selection in their deli cabinets and for reasonable CBD prices. They also do delicious hearty winter food - check out their soup specials and filling hot brunches. Always bustling, weekdays and weekends.
- 31Chill out before your movie and grab a delicious ice-cream - no end of flavours, cool staff in funky hats who like to chat and lots of seating beside the cabinets. Delish!
- 41New World, Pak N Save, Four Square & Henry'sWellington CentralPak N Save is our local and it's never let us down. Excellent range of fresh produce and they've always got specials so you can pick up a real bargain. This week it was kiwifruit and I nabbed about ten for only 60 cents! You just have to keep an eye out for what's on offer throughout the store. Always great bargains to be had and your groceries won't break the bank.
- 518Enigma CafeTe AroIt's a feast for the eyes and the taste-buds at Enigma Café, conveniently located on Courtenay. The walls are decorated with funky street art and long mirrors, there's space to sit inside - and outside in a courtyard for the smokers. What's even better is the food - fresh, large portions, paninis, filos, an extensive hot menu, a huge drinks menu and a gelato cabinet! The friendly staff at Enigma will sort you out.
GirlAboutTown's
What to do on a rainy day
- 14For the best model soldiers in the world - head to Games Workshop. You'll find a real community of gamers of all ages and stages. Fear not, gaming is cool! Get involved. They're super friendly and really know their stuff.
- 212Freyberg Pool & Fitness CentreOriental BaySo Freyberg has a spa, a sauna and a steamroom for $4.80ea but there are deals if you want a swim too, check out the prices board above the counter as you go in. Excellent spa facilities, always clean and they play some chill out pop music so you can relax to some sounds when you're having a soak! My favourite hotpools in town.
- 32Whitcoulls Cuba StreetTe AroWhitcoulls Cuba offers friendly staff and good quality stationery and books. They often have stock clearance sales and I picked up a very good quality floral photo album for just $10 (I think that's what you'd call a bargain!). The store is nice and bright and it's easy to find your way around - or if you're looking for something special, ask one of the friendly staff - they're always keen for a chat too.
- 411Reading Cinema Courtenay PlaceWellington CentralI've been going to Readings for years and years, ever since I was a young teenager hanging out in the food court with mates waiting for our movie to begin! It's a quality entertainment establishment; I've always been satisfied and had a lot of fun checking out the latest movies here.
- 534So convenient to have the downstairs café in the museum itself so you don't have to cross lanes of traffic to get to Courtenay Place for lunch. Lots of fresh, delicious cabinet food and lots for the kids (fries as a treat!). Sunny and spacious. Recommended.
GirlAboutTown's
Always fresh produce
- 133Whether it's the freshest of fresh veges, dips, sauces, cheeses, breads - it's all waiting for you at Moore Wilsons on Tory. Convenient inner-city location and a foodie haven. My favourite Moore Wilsons snack is a pottle of taramasalata, some unctuous fresh cheese and some fresh crunchy bread.
- 23Commonsense Organics KapitiParaparaumuCommonsense Organics really is your one-stop shop for all things gluten-free. In their online store there's a handy filter so you can search only for gluten-free items. You can order online and they deliver Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Currently there are 1022 gluten-free items listed in the online shop - if you're a gluten-free foodie, it really can't be beaten for choice and quality.
- 31New World, Pak N Save, Four Square & Henry'sWellington CentralPak N Save is our local and it's never let us down. Excellent range of fresh produce and they've always got specials so you can pick up a real bargain. This week it was kiwifruit and I nabbed about ten for only 60 cents! You just have to keep an eye out for what's on offer throughout the store. Always great bargains to be had and your groceries won't break the bank.
- 41Countdown -Wellington Churchill DriveCrofton DownsCheap eats and great produce bargains - the perfect place to pick up fresh fruit and veg and I also love to pick up fresh flowers here which are always on special. Check out their new 'Feed 4 for $15' menu ideas instore.
- 52Jina's World of Fresh Produce Lower HuttLower Hutt CentralThese guys are in Lower Hutt and it's worth the trip - or perhaps you live close - for the freshest fruit and veg and amazing prices. Highly recommended. And they go the extra mile in customer service!
GirlAboutTown's
Best brunch spots
- 15Dixon Street DeliTe AroDixon St deli is a classic Wellington brunch spot with a tempting selection in their deli cabinets and for reasonable CBD prices. They also do delicious hearty winter food - check out their soup specials and filling hot brunches. Always bustling, weekdays and weekends.
- 217Scorch O RamaKaraka BaysThis café is a Wellington institution, best known for its capacity to attract LOTR actors on their off days - and for the fact that it has a road running through the middle of it (the Scorch O Rama guys and gals wear high-vis vests while they ferry your food to you!). Take your guests for a classic Wellington experience and make sure it's a sunny day. Views across the harbour entrance and brunches to spoil you.
- 31Chalk ChokuWellington CentralCan't beat a killer coffee on a Saturday morning sitting in the sun at Chalk Choku. Check out the comfy customers lounging on beanbags in the sun with piping hot caffeinated goodness - heaven!
- 418Enigma CafeTe AroIt's a feast for the eyes and the taste-buds at Enigma Café, conveniently located on Courtenay. The walls are decorated with funky street art and long mirrors, there's space to sit inside - and outside in a courtyard for the smokers. What's even better is the food - fresh, large portions, paninis, filos, an extensive hot menu, a huge drinks menu and a gelato cabinet! The friendly staff at Enigma will sort you out.
- 549Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club CafeLyall BayMy favourite café in Wellington and a killer spot for brunch. There's always a line leading down the stairs because it's so popular on the weekends, but a table is never more than a ten-fifteen wait. Super efficient staff and delicious brunches. Coffee is quick and the food takes a little longer because it's so popular. But just enjoy the views over Lyall Bay out the panorama windows - and on a windy day watch the kite-surfers get pummelled!
GirlAboutTown's
Who to use when you're renovating
- 11Farmers WellingtonWellington CentralI'm a Farmers Club member and I collect points on a nifty wallet card - every $10 you spend = 1 point and at 200 points you get a $20 reward card. Your club card also gives you discounts in the regular Farmers sales (you can sign up for the newsletter to be sent to you at home, which is what I've done). Today I got a MaXFactor colour correcting cream (like a tinted moisturiser) for $20 with my club card (good deal, right?). Farmers is also good for homeware, clothes and underwear and I even bought a new bed there last year which was good quality but didn't break the bank. If you're looking for something, chances are Farmers has it.
- 24Bunnings WellingtonTe AroBunnings has everything you want when you're looking for hardware and home supplies. I've bought, in the past: a pitcher plant, a venus flytrap (for $4!), a drill and drill bits, doorstops, plastic storage containers - and most recently, a desk lamp for just $9! (See photo for the range of desk lamps...). I was so impressed at the service. The staff are young, super well-trained and smiley and they know their stuff when you have questions. It's just a great store.
- 31It may look like any other $2 shop, but this place has a huge variety of stock. If you can think of it, chances are they've got it, or something similar. I've got some super bargains here over the years. Once I needed a pair of aviators for a costume party (I went as a cop!) and I got a pair for about $4 here. Also I bought noise-reducing earphones for my iPod for $5 and they're great, and also photo frames and photo albums, cheap but good quality for the price. Recommended.
- 41PlaceMakers - KilbirnieKilbirnieThey know how to talk hardware at PlaceMakers and they're conveniently located if you're a local of Kilbirnie, Miramar or Hataitai. Know how. Can do. They'll put you right and see you on your way to renovating success. I got some solar-powered Salter bathroom scales here and they work a treat. Highly recommended and they're good at giving advice too.
- 51Resene ColorShop KaroriKaroriHundreds of paint colours for you to choose from and they'll give you expert advice and whip up the colours for you in no time. All the accessories required for a great paint job. A true DIYer's dream shop.