Venturing to the other side of the harbour you will find Lower Hutt.  With a meandering river dividing the valley and surrounded by hills of both sides, there is more than meets the eye to this suburban landscape.  With top mountain biking tracks, hilltop walks, The Dowse Art museums and cute cafes, there’s always something new to explore.   With many scenic reserves located minutes from the urban streets, its never been easier to immerse yourself in nature.  Check out Percy Scenic Reserve, Belmont Regional Park or take a trip up the Te Whiti riser to get a full scenic view of the valley.  Venturing round to Eastbourne and Days Bay is surely on the cards to check out the art galleries, bush walks and the iconic Pencarrow Lighthouse.

Petone is a must for anyone that loves coffee, good food and boutique fashion.  Jackson Street which is just back from the beach, is full of round the world cuisine, also is home to vintage shops and coffee roasters.  There is also a mix of specialist stores like Llamu a specialist candle store, or pick up a rare record from Lo Cost Records which has been operating in Petone for 21 years.