Last updated July 2026
Pirie Street Playground (also known as Pirie Street Play Area) sits on the lower slopes of Matairangi / Mount Victoria in Wellington, offering a sheltered community play space with direct access to the hill’s walking tracks. The playground was renewed in 2022 and now sits beside Wellington’s first purpose-built community calisthenics park. Equipment includes swings, a slide, climbing structures, monkey bars and a basketball hoop, with a grassed area and seating. The location makes it easy for families to combine play with a bush walk or trip to the Mount Victoria summit lookout.
Practical Information
| Location | 125 Pirie Street, Mount Victoria, Wellington |
| Access | On-street parking on Pirie Street; short walk from the CBD |
| Entry | Free |
| Equipment | Swings, slide, climbing structures, monkey bars, basketball hoop; adjacent calisthenics rig with pull-up and parallel bars |
| Facilities | Grassed area, seating; walking tracks start nearby |
| Walking tracks | Mount Victoria Lookout Walkway and other tracks begin steps away |
| Wind shelter | Protected by surrounding hillside and bush |
About the Playground
Pirie Street Playground is a modest yet popular community facility that benefits from its position at the edge of Mount Victoria’s native bush and track network. The 2022 renewal improved the play area and added the adjacent calisthenics park, developed in consultation with the local calisthenics community. The grassed space and seating provide a comfortable spot for families, while the surrounding vegetation offers notable shelter from Wellington’s prevailing winds.
The playground’s location supports easy combination of play and outdoor activity. Children can use the equipment while older family members or runners access the tracks that lead through the Town Belt to lookouts and the summit. The site remains open at all times with no booking required.
Mount Victoria Walking Tracks
The Mount Victoria Lookout Walkway begins near the playground and climbs through historic pine forest to the summit lookout. The full loop measures 4.6 kilometres and takes approximately 1.5 hours, with some steep sections. Shorter options exist, and the network connects with the Southern Walkway and Matairangi Nature Trail. The tracks are popular with walkers, runners and mountain bikers and offer panoramic views of the city, harbour and Cook Strait on clear days.
From Pirie Street, the lower paths lead directly into the bush network. The summit lookout provides 360-degree views and is accessible by road via Alexandra Road as well as on foot. Wellington City Council maintains the tracks as part of the Town Belt reserves.
What Visitors Often Say
Families appreciate the combination of play equipment and immediate access to bush tracks, noting it works well for mixed-age groups on a half-day outing from the CBD. The wind shelter and recent upgrades, including the calisthenics area, receive frequent positive mentions.
Where to Learn More
Wellington City Council: News on the 2022 renewal of Pirie Street Play Area and new calisthenics park.
Wellington City Council: Official details on the Mount Victoria Lookout Walkway route and times.
Wellington City Council: List of play areas including Pirie Street Play Area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pirie Street Playground?
The playground is at 125 Pirie Street in Mount Victoria, a short walk from Wellington’s CBD on the slopes of Matairangi.
Can I walk to the Mount Victoria Lookout from the playground?
Yes, the Mount Victoria Lookout Walkway and other tracks begin near the playground. Paths lead through the bush to the summit.
Is the playground sheltered from wind?
Yes, the site is protected by the surrounding hillside and bush, making it more sheltered than many exposed Wellington play spaces.
What equipment does the playground have?
Swings, a slide, climbing structures, monkey bars, a basketball hoop and an adjacent calisthenics rig with pull-up and parallel bars.
When was the playground renewed?
The play area was renewed in 2022, with the addition of the adjacent purpose-built calisthenics park.
Is there parking at Pirie Street Playground?
On-street parking is available on Pirie Street. The site is also within easy walking distance of the CBD.
Are dogs allowed?
Standard Wellington City Council dog control rules apply in the reserve; check current bylaws for the specific area.
Is the playground suitable for all ages?
The equipment caters to a range of ages, with the calisthenics area adding options for older children and adults.
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