Coffee in Cool Places: Brooklyn Bunker

Some mornings just call for a change of scenery and a warm cup of coffee.

On a cloudy Saturday, my mum, Elaine, and I headed up to the old bunkers above Brooklyn in Wellington to sit, talk, and take in the view.

Tucked into the hills near the Brooklyn wind turbine, the bunkers are easy to miss if you don’t know they’re there. They were built during World War II as part of Wellington’s coastal and city defences. They never saw combat, but they remain as quiet concrete reminders of a different time. Today, they’re layered with graffiti and weather, softened by the landscape around them.

We sat on top of the bunkers with our coffee, looking out across the city. Wellington Harbour stretches almost as far as the visibility allowed us to see. It’s one of those viewpoints that feels expansive.

The morning was overcast, but the clouds shifted just enough to let the sun through now and then. When it did, the light moved across the water and the city in a way that made you look a little more, exploring the details of the landscape.

It’s a surprisingly accessible spot, just a short distance from a nearby carpark, which makes it an easy place to return to when you want the view without the effort. No long walk, no rush, just somewhere to sit and let the morning unfold.

We talked about life, work, and the small things that come up when you slow down together. Nothing remarkable, and that was kind of the point.

There was something about this coffee break that felt really good. Maybe it was the coffee, maybe the view, or maybe it was simply being with someone you care about in a place with a view.

Whatever it was, I’m glad we made the trip.

If you’re in Wellington, New Zealand and want somewhere relatively accessible, interesting, and worth a visit, this one’s hard to beat. Just be mindful on windy days, as it’s quite exposed up there!

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