Since Wellington has a heat wave (yes it’s finally reached 20+ degrees) and it is a public holiday we got into the holiday spirit and took the boat to Matui Somes Island which is slap bang in the middle of Wellington Harbour. See http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/PlaceProfile.aspx?id=35018

This is a fascinating place having been used to isolate sick people and keep animals in quarantine. Now its more of a nature reserve as it is predator free. There are wetas (huge, and I mean huge, beetle bugs) Tuataras, lizards and birdlife. We trotted around the island walkway and took in some of the best views of Wellington harbour.

Escaping Wellington City by boat

Arriving Somes Island

Local Weta resident (see I meant what I said about being huge)

blank MT under supervision of the sun nazi

blank Fabulously clear water

blank Views back towards Wellington

blank Former isolation hospital

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Tall ship cruising the harbour

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