High above Wellington, the Memorial Lookout stands as a testament to history. It commemorates the city’s founding. It also offers stunning panoramic views.
The Centennial Lookout was designed in 1939 by Gray Young, Morton & Young. It was part of the city’s centennial celebrations in 1940. The lookout includes a bronze orientation table. Bronze heads of Wellington and Wakefield were added. Fletcher Construction built the stone and concrete structure. The Memorial Lookout officially opened on March 15, 1940.
The commemorative plaque states the lookout commemorates the founding of the city. Settlers organized by the New Zealand Company arrived in Wellington Harbour on September 20, 1839. The ship was the Tory from England. Edward Gibbon Wakefield was the driving force behind the organization. The city was named after the Duke of Wellington. He assisted Wakefield’s colonization legislation in the English Parliament.
Interestingly, part of the lookout has a unique origin. The granite wall comes from the Waterloo Bridge in London. The Duke of Wellington opened that bridge in 1817. It was demolished in 1938. The London County Council gifted the granite wall.
During the Depression of the late 1920s and 30s, relief workers contributed to this site. They were paid 12 shillings a day. Pirie Street Reserve was created in 1927. It was funded by the Mayor’s Employment Fund. In 1928, workers planted 100,000 trees on the Town Belt. This included Mount Victoria.
The Memorial Lookout is more than just a viewpoint. It is a historical landmark. It honors the city’s origins. It also recognizes the struggles of the Depression era.
The Mount Victoria Lookout walk begins on Courtenay Place. It winds up Majoribanks Street. You pass turn-of-the-century Mount Victoria villas. The trail entrance is on Lawson Place. It meanders through historic pines. It ends at a lookout with panoramic city views. The climb through the town belt can be steep. But it is worth it for the view.
From here, you can watch ferries in the harbour. You can see planes land and take off. The Orongorongo Range is to the north. The peaks of the Southern Alps are in the South Island.
Near the summit is the Byrd Memorial. It is dedicated to American polar explorer Richard Byrd. A bronze cannon is also present. It was fired at noon each day between 1877 and 1900. Colonial Wellingtonians used it to set their clocks.
Today, the Memorial Lookout remains a popular destination. It offers views and a glimpse into Wellington’s past. It’s a place where history and scenery meet. As you stand here, take a moment to reflect on the city’s heritage. Also, appreciate the visionaries who shaped Wellington.