Miramar: Cinema, Film History and Bays

Miramar is called Te Motu Kairangi in Te Reo Māori, meaning “precious island”. An earthquake raised the surrounding land in 1855, connecting the island to Wellington. The cultural significance of the name and the historical event give the place two distinct narrative layers. When planning a trip, you can also choose between different interests: cinema, film connections on the Miramar Peninsula, and a self-guided drive around its bays.

Cinema, architecture and film locations

The Roxy Cinema is a cinema in Miramar that preserves the original façade of the 1928 Capitol Theatre. This gives the cinema a cultural focal point as well as a specific architectural feature. The Miramar Peninsula is home to the film studios of Stone Street Studios, Park Road Post Production and Wētā FX. These offer different film connections to consider when planning a trip: cinema history and architecture at the Roxy Cinema, and film studios on the peninsula. Nearby, Fort Dorset is a filming location for the Prancing Pony inn in “The Lord of the Rings”. So the film connections range from the preserved cinema building to the studios and a named filming location in the surrounding area.

The peninsula and getting there

You can explore the bays of the Miramar Peninsula on a self-guided drive. This is a different way to include the peninsula in your trip plans than focusing on cinema and film history. Bus routes 2, 31x and 24 serve central Miramar. If a connection to the town centre is a factor in your holiday rental search, these routes are a specific point to consider. Check the routes before travelling, as they may change. When choosing accommodation, you can weigh up whether the bays drive, film-related attractions or routes to the centre matter most to you.

Wellington City: nature and culture

In Wellington City, Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne offers a nature-focused perspective: the sanctuary covers 225 hectares of regenerating forest and bird habitats. During daylight hours, general admission provides access to 32 kilometres of interconnected trails. Guided daytime, night, twilight and photography tours are also available, as well as tours designed specifically for children. Daytime trails and guided tours offer different experiences; check access and tour options before travelling.

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand’s national museum on the Wellington waterfront and houses more than two million artworks, objects and specimens. Guided tours include an introduction to the museum and a tour of Wētā Workshop’s award-winning Gallipoli exhibition. Housed in the original winding house, the Wellington Cable Car Museum tells the story of Wellington’s cable car system across three floors. The Wellington Cable Car connects Lambton Quay, Victoria University and the Botanic Garden in a five-minute ride. Its route is 612 metres long, and the upper station is 120 metres above sea level. In Wellington City, you can therefore choose between collections and exhibitions, the history of the cable car system, and the ride between the destinations listed. Tour and service details may change; check the latest information before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Johnsonville.

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