The Neighbourhood

Clyde Quay Wharf sits where several distinct parts of Wellington meet. Each has its own character, and a few minutes’ walk takes you through most of them.

Chaffers Marina runs along the full western side of the wharf, a tight cluster of yachts and launches. Its masts and halyards are part of the soundscape, especially in a northerly.

Oriental Bay begins just to the east, past Freyberg Pool and the Clyde Quay boat harbour. Oriental Parade, lined with Norfolk pines, follows the curve of the bay towards Roseneath and Evans Bay. It is the closest swimming beach to the central city and fills up on warm summer days. Our Oriental Bay waterfront walk traces the route.

Waitangi Park lies on the landward side, a reworked public park with open lawns, play areas and wetland planting. Beside it, the former Herd Street Post Office building has been converted into apartments known as Chaffers Dock.

Te Aro spreads inland from the park. Its northern edge around Courtenay Place is the city’s main entertainment strip, with theatres, bars and restaurants, while Cuba Street and the streets around it carry much of Wellington’s arts and independent retail character.

Te Papa, the national museum, is the prominent building to the west along the waterfront, an easy walk past the marina.

Mount Victoria rises behind Oriental Bay, its hillside houses and the monastery above the bay forming the wider backdrop seen from the end of the wharf.

For background on the bay itself, the Oriental Bay article is a reasonable start. A plain description of how these places line up is on the text map page.