Mangaone Walkway - ideal for a weekend away from Wellington. We will help with your drop-off/pick up for the walkway. Come out from town on Friday night, spend a few hours on Saturday on the walkway, have a leisurely departure from Barnstay around midday on Sunday. $110 for a couple

Kapiti Island, which is home to some of New Zealand's endangered birds, is 5kms offshore. Boat trips are made to the Island, but you need to check what bookings are available. If it happens to rain when you are here, then there is Lindale Farm Centre and Southward Car Museum. And, of course you're not far from Wellington if you want to visit Te Papa, the museum of New Zealand.