Tinakori Road
Tinakori Road extends 1.8 kilometres from Glenmore St to Thorndon Quay and has a history that dates back to the mid-1800s, when it became a popular residential area for wealthy, upper- class settlers. The road has become home to many of New Zealand’s well known writers, artists and musicians. Over the years they’ve created a unique range of galleries, as well as antique, clothing and interior design shops.
Set among Victorian and Edwardian houses, the Tinakori Road Village boasts charming boutique-style art galleries, antique, clothing, gift and book shops, gardens, cafes and restaurants. The village is within easy walking distance of Wellington city and the Botanic Gardens.
Farmer’s Markets
If you’re at a loose end on a Saturday morning, why not take a walk to one of Wellington’s famous fruit and vegetable markets? The Hill St Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday from 8.30am to 12.30pm in the car park of the Cathedral of St Paul.
No matter the weather, vendors come from all over the region to tempt market-goers with delicious organic fruits and vegetables, fish and meat, as well as flowers, gardening tools and cosmetics.
Katherine Mansfield Memorial Park
Close to the overbridge that links Tinakori Rd with Hobson St is a nod to one of Thorndon’s most well-known figures, in the form of the Katherine Mansfield Memorial Park.
Katherine Mansfield House
New Zealand’s most celebrated author, Katherine Mansfield, was born at 25 Tinakori Rd. Her experiences growing up in the house coloured her writing, and it was referenced in some of her most famous short stories, such as The Aloe, Prelude, A Birthday, The Doll’s House, and The Wind Blows.
Built in the 1880s at a cost of £400, the house has since been meticulously restored, and is now open to the public. It is classified as a “Category I” historic place by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
The house is open six days a week from 10.00am to 4.00pm, and closed on Mondays, Christmas Day and Good Friday. A guided tour is available. Children can visit the house for free.
A 10 minute walk from Parliament Buildings or Old St Pauls, the house can also be reached by taking the no. 14 Wilton bus to nearby Park Street.
Visit the official website: www.katherinemansfield.com
Old St Pauls
Old St Paul’s, constructed 1865-66, was built on the site of the former Pipitea pa, and served as a cathedral in the Diocese of Wellington.
It was built entirely out of native timber, and has been cited as one of the best examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the world.
After a new larger cathedral was built in the 1960s, Old St Paul’s was no longer needed to serve as the parish church of Thorndon. Although it was very nearly destroyed, it was saved and restored, remaining a consecrated church.
Now managed by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, it has proven to be a popular venue for weddings, funerals, and cultural services.
Only a short walk from Wellington train station, the church is open from 10am to 3pm daily. Entry to the church is free, while hourly guided tours cost $5.
For more information visit: www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/wellington-region/old-st-pauls
Parliament Building
Although New Zealand’s government was originally formed in Auckland, Thorndon has been home to Parliament since 1865. Its buildings are made up of Parliament House, the Beehive, the Parliamentary Library and Bowen House.
Parliament House is of Edwardian neo-classical design, and was completed in 1922 to replace its former building which was destroyed by fire in 1906.
The distinctive Beehive building, where the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers have offices, was designed by the Ministry of Works and officially opened in 1977.
The Parliamentary library is the oldest of the three buildings, and survived the fire that ruined the adjoining Parliament House due to being constructed out of masonry.
For further information visit: www.parliament.nz/en-nz/about-parliament/history-buildings/buildings
