Active Pursuits

Adventure Aviation

Experience scenic flights up the Kapiti coast. Pay around NZ$99 for 20 minutes around the island, NZ$135 for a coastal scenic flight, NZ$255 for a 60 minute flight. Contact Kapiti Aero Club (tel. 04/902-6536; fly@kapitiaeroclub.co.nz).

Golf

There are a number of courses within 25 minutes of Wellington city. Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, 376 Kapiti Rd., Paraparaumu Beach (tel. 04/298-4561), is an 18-hole, par-71 course rated one of the top 50 courses in the world by Golf Digest. Greens fees are NZ$85 (US$60/£31), club rental is NZ$35 (US$25/£13), and carts are NZ$30 (US$21/£11). Reserve well in advance. Hutt Golf Club, Military Road, Lower Hutt (tel. 04/567-4722), is an 18-hole, par-70 course where you'll pay NZ$55 (US$39/£20) for a round. Karori Golf Club, South Makara Road, Wellington (tel. 04/476-7337), is an 18-hole, par-70 course; a round costs NZ$40 (US$29/£15) during the week and NZ$50 (US$36/£18) on weekends.

In-Line Skating

This is a great way to explore Oriental Parade. Skates can be hired from Fergs Kayaks, Queens Wharf (tel. 04/499-8898; www.fergskayaks.co.nz), for NZ$12 (US$8.50/£4.30) per hour. Daily rates available.

Kayaking

Fergs Kayaks , is owned by New Zealand's legendary canoeist and Olympic gold medalist Ian Ferguson. You can either do the self-paddle thing for NZ$12 (US$8.50/£4.30) per hour, or join a guided group. Try the night harbor tour, NZ$60 (US$43/£22) per person for 2 1/2 hours of paddling, with soup and snacks at the end. Tamarillo Sea Kayaking, Kapiti (tel. 025/244-1616; fax 04/239-9789), offers a more remote, nature-based sea-kayak experience around Kapiti Island, one of New Zealand's most famous conservation reserves. Instruction is given to those with no previous experience. The all-day adventure includes a chartered launch trip to and from the island and costs NZ$175 (US$125/£63). Birders will love this one.

Mountain Biking

This is one group that truly celebrates Wellington's hilly terrain. You have the choice of everything from a leisurely ride around the bays to a spine-chilling route that includes a vertical cliff face. For bike rentals, contact Penny Farthing Cycles, 89 Courtenay Place (tel. 04/385-2279). Mud Cycles (tel. 04/476-4961; www.mudcycles.co.nz), which is next to Wellington's Mountain Bike Park in Karori, offers guided tours and instruction for all abilities.

Swimming

The Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre, 62 Kilbirnie Crescent, Kilbirnie (tel. 04/387-8029), has four heated pools: a lap pool, a learners' pool, and adjoining junior and toddler pools with an access ramp for people in wheelchairs. There are also diving facilities, Jacuzzis, saunas, a sun deck, a cafe, and a YMCA fitness center. The Freyberg Pool, 139 Oriental Parade (tel. 04/384-3107), is an easy walk from most Inner City accommodations.

Tennis

The Wellington Renouf Tennis Centre, 20 Brooklyn Rd., Central Park (tel. 04/384-6294; fitz@ihug.co.nz), has 14 outdoor courts and four indoor courts. It's open Monday through Friday from 6am to 11pm, Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 11pm. A cafe and bar are on the premises.

Walking

There are endless walking opportunities in Wellington. The most obvious that spring to mind are a quiet amble through the Botanic Gardens or around Oriental Parade, or a more taxing climb up any one of the many Mount Victoria tracks. The visitor center has a wide range of excellent Heritage Trail brochures, which give you the chance to learn and discover as you go. They also have a terrific range of more than 10 Explore Wellington brochures, which detail various themed walks in different areas of the city. Included is the popular Five Lunchtime Walks, all of 40 or 50 minutes duration within the Inner City area.