Upper Hutt accommodation from NZ$97

Upper Hutt is best known for its 50 parks and reserves. In fact, many Wellington city-slickers come here to relax on weekends. Cannons Point Lookout offers some spectacular views of the region, while Staglands Wildlife Reserve and Cafe gives you the opportunity to hand feed native birds and animals. If you're on a family holiday, the kids will love it. You can sit down for a meal at the cafe, or cook up a storm of your own on one of the free-to-use barbeques. Maidstone Max is another great place to take the kids. This award-winning leisure area has a skate park, a playground, a 60-metre flying fox, plenty of barbeques and some picnic areas. Silver Stream Railway is fun for the young ones too, and will also give parents a sense of nostalgia. History buffs can learn more about the city's heritage by visiting The Blockhouse, built in the 1860s to protect European settlers during the Maori Wars; Golder Cottage, built in 1876; and The Printing Museum.

The amazing thing about Upper Hutt is that you can go trout fishing in the Hutt River, right in the middle of the city. It's also a good place to go for a walk, a bike ride, a swim or even to go kayaking. If after all that activity, you just want to wander around the shops in air conditioning, Trentham City Shopping Centre and The Mall Upper Hutt are great for all of your retail needs. If you'd like some fresh local produce, you can also head to the Upper Hutt Farmers' Market, held every Sunday morning.

The best way to get to Upper Hutt is to grab a ticket on one of these cheap flights to Wellington. Wellington Airport is about 30km away and the local bus and train system is excellent, so you won't have any trouble getting around. If you've got some time to spare, wot about paying a visit to the wine region of Martinborough, which is only 45km away?

For a holiday that's a stone's throw from the CBD of New Zealand's capital city, yet still immersed in Mother Nature, book your flights to Wellington and grab your Upper Hutt accommodation with us!