LYALL BAY.
Wellington's beachside surf suburb — a wide, wave-facing bay two-thirds its original size, home to two surf lifesaving clubs and a laid-back seaside village right next to the airport.
$912,300
AVERAGE HOUSE VALUE
36 days
MEDIAN TIME TO SELL
$650/wk
2,680
MEDIAN RENT
POPULATION (2025)
LIVING IN LYALL BAY.
Lyall Bay sits on the south side of the Rongotai isthmus, right next to Wellington International Airport. Originally known as "False Bay" because ships mistook it for the harbour entrance, the beach today is a popular and safe surf spot — home to the Lyall Bay and Maranui surf lifesaving clubs, and to "Surfers Corner" at its eastern end, where surfing has been practised since Hawaiian Olympian Duke Kahanamoku gave a demonstration here in 1915.
The suburb was originally subdivided as "Maranui" in 1896, with rapid growth following a 1909 tram extension down Onepu Road.
About a third of the bay was later reclaimed for Wellington Airport, which opened in 1959, taking the beach down to roughly two-thirds of its original size. Lyall Bay is predominantly residential, with a primary school, a Playcentre, two churches, a bowls club and a small shopping strip, and connects to the Southern Walkway and Southern Headlands Reserve.
Distance to CBD
Approx. 15 minutes
Distance to Airport
Approx. 5 minutes
Property era
1900 through to redevelopment
Landmarks
Surf beach, Southern Walkway, Kilbirnie shops nearby
AT A GLANCE.
WHY I LIKE LYALL BAY.
I bought my first house in Lyall Bay, a small railway cottage, not far from the beach. I loved the location.
Lyall Bay has a lifestyle that’s difficult to replicate anywhere else in Wellington. It combines the energy of a beach community with the convenience of being just minutes from the CBD. Whether it’s grabbing a coffee after a morning walk, watching the surfers, or enjoying the coastline on a summer evening, Lyall Bay has a relaxed atmosphere that people genuinely enjoy living in. It’s one of Wellington’s suburbs where every day feels a little like a holiday.
NEARBY SCHOOLS.
Primary Lyall Bay School — co-educational state primary school (Years 1–6) based in the suburb, roll of 302 as of July 2025.
Intermediate Evans Bay Intermediate School — nearest intermediate, in neighbouring Kilbirnie/Evans Bay.
Secondary Rongotai College — state single-sex boys' secondary school on the isthmus between Lyall Bay and Evans Bay, roll of around 732 (March 2026).
Secondary St Patrick's College, Kilbirnie — state-integrated Catholic secondary school for boys, based in the suburb.
Secondary Wellington East Girls' College — state single-sex girls' secondary school, Mount Victoria, decile 8P.
TRANSPORT AND RECREATION.
Getting Around
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Regular bus services connect Lyall Bay to the CBD and eastern suburbs
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Wellington International Airport is immediately adjacent
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Close to Kilbirnie shopping centre and the Tirangi Road Airport Retail Park
Parks & Recreation
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Lyall Bay Beach — a popular surf and swimming beach, with "Surfers Corner" at the eastern end
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Southern Walkway and Southern Headlands Reserve for coastal walking tracks
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Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club and Maranui Surf Life Saving Club, both with public facilities
WHY PEOPLE LOVE LYALL BAY.
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One of Wellington’s most iconic beaches.
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Renowned surfing destination for all experience levels.
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Beautiful waterfront walking and running paths.
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Strong beachside community with a relaxed atmosphere.
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Excellent cafés including the famous Maranui Café.
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Close to Wellington Airport without feeling isolated.
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Easy commute to Wellington CBD.
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Popular with families, professionals and outdoor enthusiasts.
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Great swimming, paddleboarding and kite surfing.
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Fantastic sunsets across Cook Strait.
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Close to Wellington’s south coast walking tracks.
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Mix of charming character homes and modern architecture.
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Excellent local schools and childcare options.
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Vibrant village feel with local cafés and eateries.
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Strong sense of community and active lifestyle.
Community
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Small local shopping strip, two churches and a lawn bowls club
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Maranui Café, a well-known local café above the surf club
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Original home to Wellington reggae band Fat Freddy's Drop
A DAY IN LYALL BAY.
7:00am
The beach is already alive. Surfers are catching the morning swell while locals walk dogs along the shoreline. Coffee machines begin humming as early risers stop for their first flat white before work.
8:00am
Parents are walking children to school while commuters make the short drive into the CBD. Cyclists follow the waterfront route, and breakfast tables overlooking the beach are filling with locals enjoying the morning sun.
Midday
Lyall Bay settles into its relaxed rhythm. Friends meet for lunch at beachside cafés, surfers sneak in a lunchtime session, and walkers enjoy the coastline with uninterrupted sea views stretching across Cook Strait.
5:30pm
The suburb comes alive again. Locals finish work with a walk along the sand, surfers head back into the water, and cafés fill with people catching up after work. On calm evenings the beach becomes one of Wellington’s favourite places to unwind while watching the sun begin to lower over the coast.
Weekends
Weekends are what Lyall Bay is all about. Early surf sessions, brunch with friends, children playing on the beach, paddleboards on the water, and families enjoying fish and chips by the sea. The waterfront is busy without ever feeling crowded, and there’s always someone enjoying the outdoors. Whether it’s coffee at Maranui, walking the south coast, or simply relaxing on the sand, Lyall Bay captures the laid-back coastal lifestyle that makes Wellington so special.
