Courtenay Place, Wellington Overview

Courtenay Place is the perfect place to go out for a few evening drinks with friends or to party all weekend. Located in the district of Te Aro, the area has several pubs, bars and restaurants, which are open until early morning. You could try a wide range of drinks here, especially their famous craft beer! In case you’re not a party person, many cute cafes are also located here. The area also hosts many art festivals, including the New Zealand International Arts Festival.

Apart from this, there are also many cinemas, each with a niche. For instance, the first professional theatre in New Zealand, Downstage Theatre, opened in 1964. The Paramount Theatre, which is no longer functional, is located here and was the first theatre in the city. The Embassy Theatre has seen premiers of various movies, the most famous being the Lord of the Rings franchise. So make sure you stroll along the street at least once during your time in Wellington!

Things to Do

There are a few things you can do at Courtenay Place, some of which include:

Party! – This one is no surprise, as the place is known for its nightclubs, bars, and restaurants that stay open until the wee hours of the morning. You can choose from a selection of bars and pubs, or you could just go have a few drinks at each!
Look at art/theatre – The area hosts some art fairs and exhibitions throughout the year, and has some very popular theatres. Downstage theatre was the first professional theatre of New Zealand when it opened in 1964. Embassy theatre was where two movies of the Lord of the Rings franchise premiered. Paramount theatre, which is no longer operational, was the oldest theatre in Wellington.

Nightlife

Courtenay Place is very well-known for its clubbing and nightlife. Youngsters often flock to the place on weekends to the bars and nightclubs, most of which are open until dawn. You can try some of their famous craft beer, or go pub-hopping here in the middle of the city. It is easily accessible and safe, but make sure you take a cab home, in the interest of yours and others’ safety!

How To Reach Courtenay Place

There are multiple means by which you can get to Courtenay Place. They are:

Bus – This is the cheapest and most convenient way of reaching the place. The following bus lines stop here: Bus - 1, Bus - 2, Bus - 52, Bus - 83, Bus - 91. The closest bus stops are as follows:
- Courtenay Place – Paramount: 127 meters, 2 mins walk
- Courtenay Place at St James theatre: 138 meters, 2 mins walk
- Courtenay Place At Blair Street: 160 meters away, 3 min walk.
- Courtenay Place - Courtenay Central: 167 meters away, 3 min walk
- Taranaki Street At Courtenay Place: 321 meters away, 5 min walk
Train – The city-wide train network is also connected to Courtenay Place. The train lines HVL and KPL stop near the place. This is also an economical way of travelling in the city.
Taxi – This is a slightly pricey option, but is far more convenient. There are several taxi operators throughout the city, such as Uber, which are easily available and popular. Taxis can either be hailed or ordered via a mobile app.
Car – If you plan on getting there by car, there is parking available around the area, but is difficult to find and is always paid. Public transport is a lot more convenient and hassle-free.