ORIENTAL BAY.
Wellington's iconic waterfront address — a Norfolk-pine-lined promenade, a golden-sand city beach, and some of the most tightly held real estate in New Zealand.
$2.0m+
AVERAGE HOUSE VALUE
49 days
MEDIAN TIME TO SELL
$800/wk
1,843
MEDIAN RENT
POPULATION (2025)
LIVING IN ORIENTAL BAY.
Oriental Bay sits directly on Wellington Harbour, a five-minute drive or a scenic 20-minute walk from the CBD along the waterfront. It was originally known as Duppa Bay, after its sole original resident George Duppa, before being renamed in 1843 after the Oriental, one of the first ships to bring settlers to Wellington. By 1883 it was little more than a stony beach with a handful of houses and boatsheds.
The suburb's transformation began in 1911, when Wellington City Council started building a sea wall along the bay; by 1924 this had extended to the tea kiosk at Point Jerningham, and the resulting promenade was planted with the Norfolk pines — first seedlings went in from 1921 — that now line most of Oriental Parade and are listed as heritage trees by Wellington City Council.
Oriental Bay was New Zealand's most expensive suburb roughly 30 years ago, and was still in the country's top 7 as recently as five years ago. Prices have eased considerably since the 2021 market peak — down around $700,000 on some measures — though it remains a genuinely premium, very tightly held address with an average property value still just over $2 million.
Distance to CBD
Approx. 5 minutes
Distance to Airport
Approx. 10 minutes
Property era
Great apartments — from Art Deco and mid-century buildings through to contemporary waterfront residences.
Landmarks
Oriental Parade — heritage Norfolk pine promenade
AT A GLANCE.
WHY I LIKE ORIENTAL BAY.
Oriental Bay has a lifestyle that’s pretty hard to replicate anywhere else in Wellington. You can live right beside the water, walk into the city, swim before work and still feel like you’ve escaped the CBD. Property here is incredibly varied too — from beautiful character apartments and tightly held older buildings to some of Wellington’s best contemporary waterfront homes. And then there’s the outlook. On a good Wellington day, it’s difficult to beat.
NEARBY SCHOOLS.
Primary Clyde Quay School — full primary school (Years 1–8) originally built on Oriental Parade in 1888, now located nearby on Elizabeth Street in Mount Victoria, roll of approximately 240.
Secondary Wellington East Girls' College — state single-sex girls' secondary school, close by in Mount Victoria.
Secondary Wellington College — state single-sex boys' secondary school, also close by.
TRANSPORT AND RECREATION.
Getting Around
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Five-minute drive, or a flat scenic walk, to the CBD along the waterfront
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Regular bus services along Oriental Parade
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Around 10 minutes to Wellington International Airport, without Auckland-style traffic
Parks & Recreation
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Oriental Parade — Wellington's most famous promenade, lined with heritage Norfolk pines
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Oriental Bay Beach — the city's most popular urban beach, with imported golden sand
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Popular for running, walking and swimming right from the front door
WHY PEOPLE LOVE ORIENTAL BAY.
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The beach — having a sheltered swimming beach virtually on your doorstep is something very few inner-city suburbs can offer.
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Walk-to-everything living — follow the waterfront and the central city is just minutes away.
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The promenade — walkers, runners, cyclists, swimmers and people simply sitting in the sun give Oriental Parade its unmistakable energy.
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Sun and harbour views — its north-facing waterfront position is a huge part of the appeal.
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Character homes — move away from the waterfront and you’ll also find villas climbing the streets above the bay.
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An active lifestyle — ocean swimming, paddleboarding, running and walking are all part of everyday life, with Freyberg Pool and Fitness Centre right on the waterfront.
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The atmosphere — particularly in summer, when the beach and promenade become one of Wellington’s great social spaces.
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City convenience without feeling completely urban — perhaps Oriental Bay’s biggest advantage.
Community
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A strip of well-regarded cafés and restaurants along the parade
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Character homesteads dating from the 1890s to 1920s alongside architect-designed apartments
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Close to Te Papa, the CBD and Courtenay Place entertainment precinct
A DAY IN ORIENTAL BAY.
7:00am
The first runners and walkers are already making their way around the bays. Swimmers head into the harbour or to Freyberg Pool, while the water can be beautifully calm on a still Wellington morning. Coffee isn’t far away either — Lola Stays is one of the early-opening spots along the Parade.
8:00am
Grab a coffee and walk along the waterfront into the CBD. That’s one of Oriental Bay’s luxuries: the morning commute can be a waterfront stroll rather than a drive.
Midday
The promenade comes alive. Locals are out walking, office workers wander around the waterfront and, when the weather plays its part, a lunchtime swim isn’t out of the question.
5:30pm
Work is finished and the waterfront changes gear. It’s time for a run around the bays, a walk along Oriental Parade, a swim on a warm evening or simply sitting by the water watching the harbour. This is when living here really makes sense.
Weekend
No need to plan too much. Start with coffee, walk the waterfront, swim at the beach, have a leisurely lunch and continue around the bays or back into the city. On a sunny day, Oriental Bay becomes a destination for the rest of Wellington — when you live here, you’re already there.
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