Karaka Bays

Karaka Bays is a suburb of Wellington, New Zealand. It lies on the northeast coast of the Miramar Peninsula, 6km east-south-east of the city centre, and has an expansive view of Wellington Harbour. It takes its name from a New Zealand native tree, the karaka or New Zealand laurel.

Map of Karaka Bays, Wellington 6022, New Zealand

The suburb consists of residential properties close to the shores of two bays, Scorching Bay in the north and Karaka Bay in the south. Nearby suburbs are Miramar and Maupuia. Prominent features of Karaka Bays include the Scorching Bay Domain, a recreational park at the northern end of the suburb. The Cook Strait ferry passes the coast of Karaka Bay on its way between Picton and Wellington.

The area was historically connected with whaling - Coombe Rocks, a series of rocky islets off the coast, were used as a watching pace for cetaceans. In recent years marine mammals have returned to the area, with seals commonly sighted along the coast and orca occasionally visible offshore.