Petone Beach

A long sandy beach at the top of Wellington Harbour, in the Hutt Valley suburb of Petone, with views across the water to the city. There's a promenade for walking and cycling, the Petone Wharf for fishing, and the small Petone Settlers Museum, which tells the story of the first European settlers who landed here in 1840.

Part of the beach is a dog exercise area, which makes it a good stop for a run after crossing Cook Strait on the Interislander ferry with a dog. Jackson Street, a block back, has cafés, bakeries and shops in old colonial buildings.