10 Trails in the Hutt Valley and Where to Treat Yourself After

People biking on a trail in native bush.
Nestled within the lush, rolling landscapes that make up the lower North Island, the Hutt Valley offers an expansive network of interesting walks appealing to both seasoned hikers and casual strollers alike. Whether you’re after a leisurely meander or a more challenging multi-hour ‘slog’, the Hutt Valley trails offer a variety of native bush landscapes and panoramic vistas, meaning there really is something for everyone. Fortunately, the adventure doesn’t have to end with the last step of the walk; the Hutt Valley also offers a yummy selection of culinary spots to reward the tired explorer. Our guide below unveils ten of the best walks in the Hutt Valley and our suggestion of the perfect places to treat yourself afterwards.

La Bella Italia

The exterior of La Bella Italia on a sunny day.
Place Hutt Valley
Goods key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Down an unassuming side street in industrial Petone, you’ll find La Bella Italia, Lower Hutt’s very own Little Italy.

Bellbird Eatery

Scrambled egg and mushrooms on toast.
Place Hutt Valley
Cafes key icon.

Museum and art gallery cafes have really upped their game in recent years, evolving from simple refreshment pit stops to become attractions in their own right.

House of Good Fortune

Exterior of mint-green character house in Petone Wellington
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Cafes key icon.

Petone’s myriad side streets hold plenty of delightful surprises, and if you’re lucky enough, you might just stumble upon the House of Good Fortune.

Tricky's Sandwich Co

Chicken sandwich being placed on the table at Tricky's Sandwich Co
Place Hutt Valley Upper Hutt
Cafes key icon.

It’s hard to beat a good sandwich – and Tricky’s Sandwich Co is a family-run sandwich joint that have made it their business to be unbeatable.

Tartines French Cafe

Fresh tuna salad and aperol spritz on an outdoor French style table
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Cafes key icon.

Tartines offers a small slice of French culinary delight, with handmade tarts, pastries, fresh bread and classic dishes that will have you mistaking Lower Hutt for Lyon.

Trade School Kitchen

Barista pouring milk into freshly made coffee at cafe
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Cafes key icon.

Described as the ‘living room of the Naenae community’, Trade School Kitchen is a not-for-profit community based cafe doing what it can to give back to its people.

Abandoned Taproom Petone

Graffitied walls inside a bar.
Place Hutt Valley
Bars key icon.

The upcycled furniture, the bike frame fence, and of course, the walls covered ceiling to floor in graffiti (literally, there’s writing on the ceiling).

Twenty Eight

Someone holding a plate of pancakes with strawberries at cafe
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Cafes key icon.

Named for their address on Cornwall Street, Twenty Eight is a modern, well lit and welcoming Lower Hutt cafe serving up interesting cabinet food, a thoughtfully crafted...

Baylands Brewery

Interior of taproom at Baylands Brewery in Lower Hutt
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Based in Petone, Baylands Brewery and Taproom is a relaxed, welcoming space offering up a wide range of fresh beer and tasty food.

Cake & Kitchen

A fake living wall inside a brightly lit cafe.
Place Hutt Valley Upper Hutt
Cafes key icon.

Cake & Kitchen is a cafe in Upper Hutt, bringing people together over delicious food and coffee.

Seashore Cabaret

View from inside the first floor Seashore Cabaret cafe out to their deck area where people are dining with a view across the harbour to Wellington city beyond.
Place Hutt Valley
Cafes key icon.

This café definitely takes out the title for best view of the city.

Forage Merchants of Wellington

Interior of an artisan food shop with chilli oil on shelves, retro lampshades and antique chairs and table
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Goods key icon.

With a range that includes food and drink, health and beauty, art, music and so much more, Forage Merchants celebrates the very best of what the greater Wellington region has to offer.

Beers, Bites, and Bowling: A Guide to Upper Hutt’s Brewtown

People walking under a large 'Brewtown' stign.
Just a stone’s throw from Upper Hutt train station lies Brewtown, a 6,000 square metre entertainment and dining hub that effortlessly attracts families, parties, and thrill seekers from around Wellington and beyond.

The Dutch Shop

Someone slicing a wheel of Dutch cheese in specialty food store
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Goods key icon.

The Dutch Shop is a perennial favourite among Petone locals and visitors alike - particularly for those with a penchant for cheese.

Miss Fortune's

Coffee machine and bags of coffee on a colourful counter in Miss Fortune's cafe
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Cafes key icon.

Lower Hutt’s industrial precinct isn’t exactly where you’d think to head for a slice of quintessential Wellington hospitality, but at Miss Fortune’s, you’ll find one of the region’s most charismatic little brunch spots.

Gerry's Charcoal Chicken

A large counter at Gerry's in Upper Hutt.
Place Hutt Valley
Restaurants key icon.

On a small side street in the sleepy suburb of Elderslea, you’ll find what appears to be an unassuming - if not slightly dated - takeaway shop.

Small Batch, Ripe Coffee Roasters

Waiter putting coffee and muffin down on cafe table
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Cafes key icon.

This small but mighty Petone-based coffee roaster has well and truly established itself as a trusty local for many Hutt goers.

Your Insider's Guide to Eastbourne and Days Bay

The exterior of Goldie Home store in Eastbourne.

Just across the harbour from Wellington are the charming seaside villages of Eastbourne and Days Bay. Their tranquillity and natural assets certainly see both coastal villages become popular destinations for sunny-day excursions, and the community feel of the local businesses not only binds the residents it keeps the visitors coming back for more. 

Viva Mexico

Interior of Mexican restaurant with exposed brick walls, Mexican skull mosaics and Day of the Dead decor
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Restaurants key icon.

This is not the place to be ordering chili con carne or hard-shell tacos. At Viva Mexico, you'll be treated to a true taste of Mexican in the Hutt.

Jean's

The blue and gold outside of Jeans in Upper Hutt.
Place Hutt Valley Upper Hutt
Cafes key icon. Goods key icon.

Upper Hutt’s Fergusson Drive may often feel like a long, monotonous road, but thanks to its little boutique shops like Jeans, you can find plenty of life and character...

Brewtown Eat & Drink

Full of people eating and drinking at Brewtown.
Place Hutt Valley
Restaurants key icon.

Widely regarded as Wellington’s premier craft beer destination, Brewtown isn’t just a mecca for beer lovers, but also for those who simply appreciate good food...

Kilim Petone

Chairs and tables in kebab shop with Turkish decor and tapestry on walls
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
Restaurants key icon.

A revered name in Wellington’s Turkish scene, Kilim is synonymous with quality, hearty kebabs done well, with its reputation extending far beyond the Hutt Valley.

Dough Upper Hutt

Bakery interior with royal blue tiles and a cabinet filled with delicious baked goods
Place Hutt Valley Upper Hutt
Cafes key icon.

Come for the art, stay for the coffee and doughnuts at Dough Bakery in Upper Hutt – conveniently located in one of the town's most popular cultural haunts.

Cars Inc.

A black car in front of a large fluorescent 'Cars' sign.
Place Hutt Valley
Cafes key icon. Galleries and museum key icon.

What started out as simply a young boy with a passion has turned into a lifelong project for car enthusiast Paul Boden, and the opening of Cars Inc.

Fig Tree Café

A large cafe space with a green painted wall.
Place Hutt Valley
Cafes key icon.

Nestled in the leafy green suburb of Heretaunga, the Fig Tree Cafe has made its home in a converted church.

Hive Café

A close up of berries on waffles on a plate.
Place Hutt Valley
Cafes key icon.

Established in 2016, Hive is intended as a cafe for everyone.

Comes & Goes

Peoples Coffee footpath sign outside Comes & Goes café in Petone.
Place Hutt Valley
Cafes key icon.

Comes & Goes is a brilliant addition to the Wellington café scene, bringing an explosion of edible flowers and culinary masterpieces that Wellingtonians are welcoming with open arms.

Keihei Chicken

A plate of fried chickens and burgers.
Place Hutt Valley
Restaurants key icon.

A bright, bold splash of yellow on Fergusson Drive, Keihei Chicken brings more than just warmth and colour to this otherwise grey corner of Upper Hutt.