Last updated October 2026
Seatoun is an eastern suburb of Wellington on the east coast of the Miramar Peninsula, close to the entrance to Wellington Harbour. It occupies a pocket of flat land with views across the harbour toward Barrett Reef and the heads.
The suburb developed after the Seatoun tunnel opened in 1906–07, linking it by electric tram to the rest of the city. Seatoun beach, known traditionally as Te Tūranganui-o-Kupe, recalls the Polynesian navigator Kupe’s arrival in the harbour. The area is one of Wellington’s most expensive residential suburbs.
Seatoun also takes in the local area known as Worser Bay.
Official Suburb Facts
- Population (2023 Census)
- About 2,680, down 5% since 2018
- Land area
- 1.06 km²
- Location
- 5.7 km south-east of central Wellington
- Council
- Wellington City Council
- Neighbouring suburbs
- Miramar, Breaker Bay, Strathmore Park, Karaka Bays
- Ward or local board
- Motukairangi/Eastern General Ward (Wellington City Council)
- Getting there
- Mount Victoria and Miramar tunnels by car; Metlink buses to the CBD in about 20 minutes
- Nearby landmarks
- Seatoun beach (Te Tūranganui-o-Kupe), Wahine Memorial Park, Seatoun Tunnel, Barrett Reef
Who Lives in Seatoun
About 2,680 residents in 980 households. From the 2023 Census, with the New Zealand figure alongside for comparison.
Schools in Seatoun
Four schools sit inside the Seatoun boundary. Some have an enrolment zone, so check an address is in zone before you buy or rent.
Show all 4 schools
Also zoned for Seatoun
Show all 4 zoned schools
Source: Ministry of Education school directory and enrolment zones (CC BY 4.0 and CC BY 3.0 NZ), October 2026. Zones change, so confirm with the school before relying on one.
Bin Day in Seatoun
Wellington City Council sets collection days street by street. Look up your address to get your day and which bins go out.
Find your bin day and what goes in each binSafety and Hazards
Lower than the Wellington average for the number of people who live here. Another 3 reports were at shops and businesses.
Sources: NZ Police victimisation data, CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026 (crimes inside homes are only published for burglary); Greater Wellington tsunami evacuation zones; Wellington City District Plan 2024 flood hazard overlays.
Buses from Seatoun
20 bus stops inside the suburb.
Source: Metlink timetable data, CC BY 4.0. Typical weekday daytime frequency.
Handy Facilities
Source: Wellington City Council public toilets; NZTA EVRoam charging sites.
Weather and Rent at a Glance
Sources: NIWA climate averages 1991-2020 (via Figure.NZ); Tenancy Services rental bond data (MBIE), CC BY 4.0, September 2025 to August 2026. City-wide figures.
In Seatoun
Places and businesses inside the official Seatoun boundary.
Places
About Seatoun
Seatoun lies on the eastern flank of the Miramar Peninsula and forms Wellington’s most easterly suburb.
Seatoun lies on the eastern flank of the Miramar Peninsula and forms Wellington’s most easterly suburb. Its position near the harbour entrance exposes residents and visitors to changing sea conditions, from calm summer days to strong southerlies. The suburb’s character housing and coastal setting contribute to its status as one of the city’s most expensive residential areas.
The Seatoun tunnel, constructed in 1906–07 by the Miramar Borough Council, connected the previously isolated area to Strathmore Park. This engineering project enabled regular tram services and opened the suburb to residential development. Coutts Crawford, an early landowner on the peninsula, named the locality after a family property in Forfarshire, Scotland.
Seatoun beach carries the traditional name Te Tūranganui-o-Kupe, marking the place where the Polynesian navigator Kupe is said to have come ashore. A sentinel rock offshore is also associated with Kupe’s visit. The suburb includes the Wahine Memorial Park, which commemorates the 1968 Wahine disaster with a bow thruster recovered from the wreck.
Immediately south of Seatoun is Breaker Bay, an exposed stretch named for the southerly swells that break along its shoreline.
Coastal Features and Activities
Seatoun beach is sandy and sheltered within Wellington Harbour, making it popular with swimmers during summer months.
Seatoun beach is sandy and sheltered within Wellington Harbour, making it popular with swimmers during summer months. Ample parking is available along the esplanade. The beach and adjacent coastal paths attract walkers and joggers year-round.
Barrett Reef lies near the harbour entrance on the western side and remains a hazardous area of rocky shallows. It has featured in Wellington’s maritime history as the site of several shipwrecks. The reef’s proximity adds dramatic context to views from Seatoun’s headlands and esplanade.
Coastal walks link Seatoun with neighbouring bays on the peninsula. These routes offer scenic views of the harbour and Cook Strait and are suitable for casual exploration on foot.
Access and Transport
Regular Metlink bus services connect Seatoun to the Wellington CBD.
Regular Metlink bus services connect Seatoun to the Wellington CBD. The journey typically takes around 20 minutes. Motorists reach the suburb via the Mount Victoria Tunnel and the later Miramar Tunnel.
The original Seatoun tunnel, now heritage-listed, provided the first reliable road link in 1906–07. It remains an important part of the peninsula’s transport network.
Near Seatoun
Just outside Seatoun, within 5 km of its centre, nearest first.
Places
Show 2 more places
Businesses
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia — Seatoun: Overview of suburb history, demographics and Māori heritage with cited sources.
Heritage New Zealand — Seatoun Tunnel: Details on the 1906–07 tunnel construction and heritage status.
LAWA — Seatoun Beach at Wharf: Current information on beach conditions and swimming suitability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Seatoun located?
Seatoun is an eastern suburb on the Miramar Peninsula in Wellington, close to the entrance of Wellington Harbour.
What is the Māori name for Seatoun beach?
The traditional name is Te Tūranganui-o-Kupe, recalling the landing place of the navigator Kupe.
When was the Seatoun tunnel built?
The tunnel was constructed in 1906–07 by the Miramar Borough Council, connecting Seatoun to Strathmore Park.
Is Seatoun beach good for swimming?
Yes, the sandy beach is sheltered and popular with swimmers in summer, with parking available nearby.
What is Barrett Reef?
Barrett Reef is a hazardous rocky area near the harbour entrance, known for shipwrecks in Wellington’s maritime history.
How do I get to Seatoun?
Regular Metlink buses run from the CBD; drivers use the Mount Victoria and Miramar tunnels.
Why is Seatoun considered affluent?
Seatoun ranks among Wellington’s most expensive suburbs due to its coastal location, views and character housing.
What is Breaker Bay?
Breaker Bay lies immediately south of Seatoun and is named for the southerly swells that break on its exposed coastline.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Explore Wellington only lists suburbs officially recognised by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), and Seatoun is one of them. Suburb boundary: LINZ, CC BY 4.0.