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OceaniaNew ZealandWellington Region

Karaka Bays

Wellington Region, New Zealand · Oceania

About Karaka Bays

Karaka Bays is worth a stop: 3km from Mount Victoria Lookout, Wellington.

Karaka Bays is a town located in Wellington Region, New Zealand. With a population of 1,580, it is an important destination in Oceania.

On a road trip, Karaka Bays sits in New Zealand, where you drive on the left. It's in the Pacific/Auckland time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Karaka Bays to your route.

About Karaka Bays

Karaka Bays is a suburb of Wellington, New Zealand. It lies on the northeast coast of the Miramar Peninsula, 6 km east-south-east of the city centre, and has an expansive view of Wellington Harbour. It takes its name from a New Zealand native tree, the karaka (or the New Zealand laurel). The suburb consists of

Read more residential properties close to the shores of two bays, Scorching Bay in the north and Karaka Bay in the south. Nearby suburbs are Miramar and Maupuia. Prominent features of Karaka Bays include the Scorching Bay Domain and a recreational park at the northern end of the suburb. The Cook Strait ferry passes the coast of Karaka Bay on its way between Picton and Wellington. The area was historically connected with whaling - Coombe Rocks, a series of rocky islets off the coast, were used as a watching-place for cetaceans. In recent years marine mammals have returned to the area, with seals commonly sighted along the coast and orca occasionally visible offshore.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Karaka Bays

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Karaka Bays?

Karaka Bays offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Karaka Bays?

Plan your road trip to Karaka Bays with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Karaka Bays as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Karaka Bays located?

Karaka Bays is located in Wellington Region, New Zealand, Oceania. The coordinates are -41.3050 latitude, 174.8288 longitude.

What is the population of Karaka Bays?

Karaka Bays has a population of approximately 1,580 people, making it a town in New Zealand.

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Quick Information

Population
1,580
Continent
Oceania
Country
New Zealand
Region
Wellington Region
Timezone
Pacific/Auckland
Coordinates
-41.3050, 174.8288

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in New Zealand

Police
111
Ambulance
111
Fire
111
Non-emergency police
105
Driving side
left

Many rural bridges are single-lane. Give way as signed.

Full driving guide for New Zealand

Tags

OceaniaNew ZealandWellington RegionTown

Worth the detour from Karaka Bays

3 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.

3 km · about 5 min drive

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.

4 km · about 10 min drive

museum

Southward Car Museum

One of the Southern Hemisphere's largest collections with over 400 vehicles spanning a century of motoring.

40 km · about 45 min drive

Driving roads near Karaka Bays

  • 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.
  • 75 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 Karaka Bays.

Maupuia

🇳🇿 New Zealand

1 km awayPop. 1,490

Seatoun

🇳🇿 New Zealand

2 km awayPop. 2,440

Strathmore Park

🇳🇿 New Zealand

3 km awayPop. 3,910

Roseneath

🇳🇿 New Zealand

3 km awayPop. 1,820

Hataitai

🇳🇿 New Zealand

3 km awayPop. 5,620

Mount Victoria

🇳🇿 New Zealand

3 km awayPop. 4,820

Kilbirnie

🇳🇿 New Zealand

3 km awayPop. 4,860

Oriental Bay

🇳🇿 New Zealand

3 km awayPop. 1,450

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence