museum
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
New Zealand's bold national museum, renowned for its interactive exhibits, Maori taonga, and a colossal squid specimen.
5 km · about 10 min drive
OceaniaNew ZealandWellington Region
Island Bay
Wellington Region, New Zealand · Oceania
About Island Bay
Island Bay is worth a stop: 5km from Mount Victoria Lookout, Wellington.
Island Bay is in Wellington Region, New Zealand, with about 7,200 people. You drive on the left here.
Island Bay is a coastal suburb of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, situated 5 km (3.1 mi) south of the city centre.
Island Bay lies on the bay which shares its name, one of numerous small bays off Cook Strait and west of Lyall Bay. 500m offshore in Island Bay lies Tapu Te Ranga Island, which forms a naturalRead more
breakwater and provides a sheltered anchorage for local fishing boats.
A noted current Island Bay resident is mayor of Wellington Andrew Little. Former residents include former Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, the late Bruce Stewart, writer and dramatist at Tapu Te Ranga Marae; Middlesbrough F.C. and All Whites striker Chris Killen; artist John Drawbridge; poet Alan Brunton; writer Robin Hyde; and, in the late 19th century, The Hermit of Island Bay.
Where to Stay in Island Bay
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Island Bay.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Island Bay.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Island Bay?
Within an hour or so of Island Bay: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (5 km), Mount Victoria Lookout, Wellington (5 km), Weta Workshop, Miramar, Wellington (5 km), Putangirua Pinnacles (Paths of the Dead) (40 km).
Are there any good drives near Island Bay?
The nearest famous roads are Queen Charlotte Drive and Kaikōura Coastal Highway.
Where is Island Bay?
Island Bay is in Wellington Region, New Zealand.
Road trip
Drive to Island Bay
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Island Bay. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 7,170
- Continent
- Oceania
- Country
- New Zealand
- Region
- Wellington Region
- Timezone
- Pacific/Auckland
- Coordinates
- -41.3362, 174.7735
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in New Zealand
Many rural bridges are single-lane. Give way as signed.
Full driving guide for New ZealandTags
Worth the detour from Island Bay
5 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
Mount Victoria Lookout, Wellington
196 m summit lookout reached by a sealed road above central Wellington, giving a panorama of the harbour and Cook Strait.
5 km · about 10 min drive
film location
Weta Workshop, Miramar, Wellington
The effects house behind Middle-earth; its Wellington workshop tour displays original props, weapons and creature designs.
5 km · about 10 min drive
film location
Putangirua Pinnacles (Paths of the Dead)
The eroded badland spires on the Wairarapa coast are the Dimholt Road approach to the Paths of the Dead in Return of the King.
40 km · about 45 min drive
museum
Southward Car Museum
One of the Southern Hemisphere's largest collections with over 400 vehicles spanning a century of motoring.
54 km · about 60 min drive
Driving roads near Island Bay
- Right hereMount Victoria Lookout, Wellington196 m summit lookout reached by a sealed road above central Wellington, giving a panorama of the harbour and Cook Strait.
- 70 kmQueen Charlotte DriveWinding 35 km sealed road between Picton and Havelock hugging the Marlborough Sounds, with numerous bays and lookout pull-offs.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Island Bay.
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Island Bay.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.