ROSENEATH.
An affluent hillside suburb perched above Oriental Bay and Evans Bay — sweeping harbour views, Edwardian character homes, and one of Wellington's most tightly held pockets of real estate.
$1,420,900
AVERAGE HOUSE VALUE
36 days
MEDIAN TIME TO SELL
$735/wk
1,730
MEDIAN RENT
POPULATION (2025)
LIVING IN ROSENEATH.
Roseneath sits on a small headland east of Oriental Bay and north of Hataitai, climbing steeply up a spur of Mount Victoria above Evans Bay. It's one of the smallest and most tightly held suburbs in Wellington City, prized for panoramic harbour views taking in the Miramar Peninsula, Matiu/Somes Island and the eastern harbour bays.
The Roseneath Estate was first subdivided for sale in 1888, with the suburb named after Rosneath on Scotland's River Clyde. Its earliest homes were built for wealthy merchant and shipping families drawn to the elevated outlook, and much of that Edwardian-era housing stock — along with a wave of 1920s development — still stands today. Point Jerningham, the headland forming the suburb's northern tip, is home to a 1929 lighthouse and New Zealand's only permanent saluting battery, which still fires ceremonial gun salutes on royal and state occasions.
Distance to CBD
Approx. 10 minutes
Distance to Airport
Approx. 10 minutes
Property era
Mostly 1920s, earliest 1900s
Housing mix
~84% owner-occupied / ~16% investment
AT A GLANCE.
WHY I LIKE ROSENEATH.
Roseneath has a quiet confidence about it. It’s one of Wellington’s most beautiful residential suburbs, yet it never feels like it’s trying to impress. The streets wind gently around the hillside, the architecture is full of character, and almost every turn reveals another breathtaking harbour view.
What I enjoy most is the balance. You’re only minutes from the CBD and Oriental Bay, yet life here feels remarkably peaceful. It’s a suburb where people come home to unwind, where neighbours know each other, and where the scenery changes every hour as the light moves across the harbour.
For buyers looking for privacy, outlook and timeless appeal, Roseneath is one of Wellington’s true gems.
NEARBY SCHOOLS.
Full Primary Roseneath School — co-educational state full primary, Years 1–8, decile 10, roll of 77 (July 2025). Located on Maida Vale Road, opened 1898 after nearby Clyde Quay School became overcrowded.
Secondary Wellington East Girls' College — state single-sex girls' secondary school, Mount Victoria.
Secondary Wellington College — state single-sex boys' secondary school, Mount Victoria/Dufferin Street. Commonly attended by Roseneath families.
Early Years Local kindergartens and playcentres in the wider Oriental Bay / Mount Victoria / Hataitai area also serve Roseneath families.
TRANSPORT AND RECREATION.
Getting Around
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Metlink Route 14 (Wilton – Wellington – Roseneath – Hataitai – Kilbirnie) runs through the suburb roughly every 30 minutes
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About 15 minutes by bus, or 10 minutes by car, to Courtenay Place / the CBD
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Walking access down to Oriental Bay via the steps at the top of Grass Street
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Close to Hataitai and the Mount Victoria / Evans Bay road network
Parks & Recreation
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Point Jerningham Reserve and lighthouse — coastal lookout at the suburb's northern tip
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Walkway around the point connecting to the Oriental Bay waterfront promenade and beach
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Mount Victoria Town Belt walking and mountain-bike tracks, a short climb above the suburb
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Steep, leafy streets (The Crescent, Grafton Road, Maida Vale Road) popular for walking
WHY PEOPLE LOVE ROSENEATH.
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Some of Wellington’s best harbour views
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Only minutes to the CBD
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A prestigious address known for its beautiful homes, architectural diversity and established streets.
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Peaceful and private
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Close to Oriental Bay, allowing easy access to swimming, waterfront walks and cafés.
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Excellent walking tracks nearby through the Town Belt and Mount Victoria.
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A strong sense of community
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Elevated sunshine and natural light
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Consistently sought after,
Community
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St Barnabas Anglican Church, Maida Vale Road — dedicated 1899, rebuilt after a 1924 fire
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The Long Hall — a relocated WWII Mount Victoria barracks, restored as a community hall
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Point Jerningham Saluting Battery — NZ's only permanent saluting battery, firing ceremonial 21-gun salutes
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Roseneath War Memorial, at Roseneath School — commemorates former pupils lost in WWI
A DAY IN ROSENEATH.
7:00am – The harbour is calm, the morning sun begins to light the hills, and locals head out for a walk through Mount Victoria or down towards Oriental Bay.
8:00am – School drop-offs begin at Roseneath School while cafés in nearby Oriental Bay and the CBD start to fill. The suburb itself remains remarkably quiet, with birdsong replacing city traffic.
Midday – The neighbourhood settles into a peaceful rhythm. Residents work from home overlooking the harbour, walkers enjoy the leafy streets, and the ever-changing harbour views provide a backdrop unlike almost anywhere else in Wellington.
5:30pm – One of Roseneath’s favourite times of day. The city lights begin to twinkle, ferries cross the harbour, and many residents relax on balconies or decks watching the sunset over Wellington. It’s a suburb that truly comes alive in the evening light.
Weekend – Weekends are about making the most of everything close by. Walk to Oriental Bay for breakfast, explore the Town Belt or Mount Victoria tracks, spend the afternoon on the waterfront, or simply stay home enjoying the sunshine and spectacular views. Everything Wellington has to offer is only minutes away, yet Roseneath always feels like a peaceful retreat.
