Our "neigh"bourhood

Ohariu Valley - as the equestrian centre for Wellington City - really puts the 'neigh' into neighbourhood!

Originally a local source of timber for the early European settlers, and later milk and dairy products for the capital, the valley today comprises many horse-related enterprises, along with farms grazing sheep, cattle and some deer, and a number of lifestyle blocks and tourism and accommodation ventures.

From Ohariu Lodge you can choose from a number of local attractions, such as a horse trek at the Country Club Riding Academy virtually next door. The Academy welcomes both novice and experienced riders, and horse trekkers have 600 acres of rolling farmland to explore. (www.horsetrekking.co.nz)

On weekends, stroll to the Saddleback Café at the stables for breakfast, lunch or an early evening meal, indoors or on the sunny and sheltered deck outside. (www.saddlebackcafe.co.nz).

The cafe is just two minutes' walk from the lodge.

A pretty and rural 11-kilometre drive or cycle through the nearby Takarau Gorge takes you to Makara, and its wild west-facing coastline, with local walks over the coastal farm hills and excellent snorkelling and fishing opportunities.

Play a round!

Just two kilometres up the road from the lodge, Ohariu Valley Golf Club (nine holes) welcomes visitors for casual play. You don't need to be a member of another club.

The course is hilly, well maintained, and offers great views to the south, so bring your clubs!

There's also a full 18-hole course at the Karori Golf Club, approximately 15 kilometres' drive, along with many other courses in the Wellington region.

Wellington
In less than 20 minutes you can be in the heart of Wellington city itself, exploring the fantastic National Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa: www.tepapa.govt.nz), the City Art Gallery, the mainstream shops on Lambton Quay’s Golden Mile or the eclectic retailers of Cuba Street and Courtenay Place.

Travel the cable car to the top of the Botanic Gardens for sweeping views over the city, visit the Carter Observatory and Planetarium, then stroll down through the fabulous Botanic Gardens themselves. In summer there’s a whole festival of free events in the garden’s outdoor entertainment areas. If you’re a visitor to New Zealand, we can advise you where best to experience New Zealand’s beautiful native bush, from short strolls to much longer walks.

Greater Wellington

Further afield, discover some of the locations used in the filming of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, take a harbour ferry across to sunny Eastbourne and visit its cafes and craft shops, or in less than an hour’s drive you can be in historic Martinborough, the capital of New Zealand’s pinot noir wine country (though there are many other wines both red and white to enjoy!).

Martinborough offers a wide range of café and restaurant dining, and many of the vineyards cater for lunches also.

For more about Wellington and its environs visit Wellingtonnz.com - an excellent one-stop information site.