WADESTOWN.
Wellington's very first suburb — a quiet, well-kept hilltop village of character villas, reservoir walks and sweeping harbour views.
1,179,300
AVERAGE HOUSE VALUE
48 days
MEDIAN TIME TO SELL
$650/wk
3,740
MEDIAN RENT
POPULATION (2025)
LIVING IN WADESTOWN.
Wadestown holds the distinction of being Wellington's very first suburb. It takes its name from John Wade, who arrived on the Integrity in 1840; the following year he and fellow early settler James Watt acquired land in the area and divided it into one and two-acre lots, establishing the suburb well before most of the rest of the city was subdivided.
Today Wadestown is a hilly, established suburb about 2–3km from the CBD, known for its village atmosphere, character villas, and steep streets — Weld Street is reportedly one of the steepest in Wellington. Weekends here tend to revolve around a coffee in the village, a walk along the Wadestown Reservoir track, or a climb up Tinakori Hill via the Northern Walkway, which threads through the suburb on its way from Trelissick Park to Te Ahumairangi Hill.
Distance to CBD
Approx. 15 minutes
Distance to Airport
Approx. 25 minutes
Property era
Wellington's first suburb
Landmarks
Wadestown Reservoir track, Northern Walkway
AT A GLANCE.
WHY I LIKE WADESTOWN.
Wadestown is one of Wellington’s most established and character-filled suburbs. Perched on the hills overlooking the city and harbour, it combines beautiful heritage homes, mature trees and a welcoming village atmosphere with exceptional convenience. Its elevated position, strong community spirit and proximity to both the CBD and the waterfront make it one of Wellington’s most enduringly desirable places to live.
NEARBY SCHOOLS.
Primary Wadestown School — state primary school (Years 1–8), first opened in 1881, one of Wellington's earliest state schools. Spread across two campuses about 1km apart: Weld Street (Years 1–2) and Rose Street (Years 2–8).
Secondary Wellington Girls' College and Onslow College — commonly attended by Wadestown families for state secondary education.
TRANSPORT AND RECREATION.
Getting Around
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Bus services connect Wadestown to the CBD, a short trip of 2–3km
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Close to Wilton, Northland and Kelburn
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Steep, characterful streets including Weld Street, among Wellington's steepest
Parks & Recreation
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Wadestown Reservoir walking track — a popular local loop
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Northern Walkway passes through the suburb via Hanover and Weld Streets, continuing to Te Ahumairangi Hill
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Close to Trelissick Park and the Kaiwharawhara Stream area
WHY PEOPLE LOVE WADESTOWN.
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Prestigious suburb with stunning harbour and city views.
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Beautiful villas, bungalows and character homes.
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Quiet, tree-lined streets full of charm.
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Just minutes from Wellington CBD.
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Strong community feel with an active village centre.
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Excellent schools and childcare facilities.
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Local cafés, shops and everyday amenities.
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Easy access to the Wellington waterfront and Botanic Garden.
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Popular with families, professionals and long-term residents.
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Great public transport connections.
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Plenty of parks, reserves and walking tracks nearby.
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A suburb known for its lasting property appeal.
Community
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Wadestown Village — a small, well-kept local shopping and café strip
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Character villas and established gardens throughout the suburb
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Quiet, hilltop-village atmosphere close to the CBD
A DAY IN WADESTOWN.
7:00am
The day begins with locals walking through the quiet streets, enjoying harbour views and stopping for coffee before heading into the city.
8:00am
Children make their way to school while commuters enjoy one of Wellington’s shortest trips into the CBD by bus, bike or car.
Midday
The village is lively with residents catching up over coffee, running errands or enjoying the relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere that defines Wadestown.
5:30pm
Evenings are peaceful as families return home, neighbours head out for walks and many enjoy spectacular sunsets from the suburb’s elevated streets.
Weekend
Weekends are centred around community and lifestyle. Whether it’s brunch at a local café, walking through nearby reserves, spending time in the Botanic Garden or simply relaxing at home with harbour views, Wadestown offers a wonderful balance of city convenience and suburban calm.
