Stones, Water & Cafes

How to keep everyone happy over the school holidays?

STONES, WATER & CAFES


The school holidays are upon us.
Enthusiasm and energies are high, and the weather is conducive to being outside.
So, where to go and what to do to keep everyone happy?  ASK THE LOCALS.

Wellington boasts stunning and accessible coastlines with enough going for them to keep everyone happy.

Our favourites of such spots any time of year are:

Maranui Cafe, Lyall Bay

The menu is consistently fresh and delicious.

Which is why there is often a queue out the door and down the stairs.  Never fear, the queue moves quickly, but will be busiest around lunchtime.
They are open from 7am to 5pm, so get there early to avoid disappointment.
www.maranuicafe.co.nz

The Maranui Surf Life Saving Club patrols the beach along Lyall Parade, Lyall Bay.  This is very popular with surfers, swimmers, walkers and all those drawn to sand, stones, water and great coffee.

Chocolate Dayz Cafe, Days Bay

Enjoy a meal inside or out, or takeaway to enjoy the most of the beach at Days Bay.
The Cafe is expertly run by owners/Chef, and offers mouth watering counter food and made to order food from the menu.
They are open 8am to 5pm on weekends, 7.30am to 4pm weekdays.
www.chocolatedayzcafe.co.nz

Days Bay has plenty on offer for the stones, sand and water quotient.  The Ferry can take you there from Queens Wharf, Wellington waterfront across to Days Bay, stopping at Matiu Somes Island.
Williams Park is opposite the Days Bay Wharf, which offers a flat green area perfect for frisbees, an ice cream parlour and a pond with ducks and swans.

Makara Beach

Has it all.  With steep stony beach with crashing waves, perfect for throwing stones into.  Or you can take the walk around to the left of the beach to the rock pools for an explore and climb and rest bite from the wind.
Then when everyone is tired and hungry, venture into the Cafe Makara, Makara Road.
Our favourites there are milkshakes, ice cream cones (with hand scooped ice cream), and toasted sandwiches.
Be warned the road from either Karori or Johnsonville to Makara is narrow and windy at times.  Take it slow, there are often cyclists cycling that loop.  See how many pukeko birds you can spot.  We were delighted to see a pukeko flying last time.

Lady Norwood Rose Garden

At the top of the Botanical Gardens with free parking access up the lane opposite the Chinese Embassy, Glenmore Road, Thorndon.  The beautifully tendered rose garden is a delight to visit any time of year.  Even in the middle of winter, it is still a tranquil setting for all.  As well as the magnetic pond in the middle of the rose garden, there is also the Peace Pond with its ducks to feed, waterfall and protected seating.  If it all gets too cold and blustery, venture into the cosy warmth of the Begonia House to sit and watch the lily pads and fishes feeding.

The Dell behind the Begonia House and Picnic Cafe is a great spot if you take your own picnic.

Picnic Cafe, Lady Norwood Rose Garden

Our favourites from the cafe are the fruit & marshmallow kebab sticks, the savoury scones and panini's.
Time your run to the cafe whilst there are no tour buses parked in the vicinity, or you could have a long wait for your order.
The cafe is open daily from 8.30am to 4pm.
www.picniccafe.co.nz

Scorching Bay, Karaka Bay Road

The drive either from Seatoun or around Shelly Bay, Miramar Peninsula is very picturesque and another drive to be taken slowly to enjoy the scenery.  The Scorching Bay Domain has great facilities with a play area, grassed picnic area, toilets, showers and changing rooms, gentle sandy beach and rock pools.

Scorch-O-Rama Cafe

Enjoy the indoor seating or the tables across the road from the cafe. Don't worry, the waiters wear high visibility vests whilst bringing your order across the road.
All the food and coffee is good and they are licensed, so you can enjoy wine or beer by the glass.
The cafe and milk bar is open weekends 8am to 6pm and weekdays 8.30am to 5pm.  Open longer hours during the summer nights.
www.scorchorama.co.nz

Enjoy the outdoors, where ever you go, and stay tuned for more things to do in Wellington.