Five Lunch Break Adventures to Take in Wellington

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During the working week, time away from your desk is a rare and precious commodity. We're all guilty of killing time mindlessly trawling the web, but as excellent as cat GIFs may be there's far more exciting things we could be doing on our coffee break.

Make even the shortest of respites count and carve out time in your day for a bit of adventure, whether it's a morning mission or an after-work moment to blow off steam. Take the break you, as a hardworking human being, deserve.

UNWIND IN A YOGA SESSION

Power Living, on Johnston Street in the central Lambton area is perfect for an unwinding session. For a start, their studio is beautiful, all wooden floors and native plants. The instructors are intense but will really work to give you a good stretch out and calm down. They usually have a lunchtime slot (approx. 12.15 to 1.15pm) as well as later classes if you'd rather go after work. Check their timetables here.

EXPLORE CUBA QUARTER'S GALLERIES

If you live or work anywhere near Cuba Street, you'll know there's no shortage of things to explore on your workday breaks. But were you aware of the myriad of art galleries to be found in the upper floors of stores? Peter McLeavey Gallery, Enjoy Gallery and {Suite} provide you with some beautiful pieces to lose yourself in, while Matchbox also has a gallery space out the back of the store (we hear there's some beautiful botanical art there at the moment).

TAKE A SODA BREAK

Who says workday breaks have to be solo adventures? Take some friends for a bite at Six Barrel Soda Co. With their uniquely hand-brewed soda flavours, milkshakes, sundaes and fries it's the perfect little spot for a non-work-related catchup. They also do tasting flights (see above) so even if you can't choose, they've got you covered. It also has a really cute interior that makes going back to work just bearable.

INHALE SOME SEA AIR

The perfect antidote to workday blues, a stroll along our beautiful waterfront with your lunch is enough to make you feel better, right? Next time the wind dies down and you make it outside, try a half-hour stroll out to Oriental, hire a bike and make it as far as the point, or take your togs and go for a dip (at the moment you may have a better time at the Freyberg Pools, on Oriental parade). Watch the seagulls, commune with nature, all that good stuff.

HIT UP MT VIC FOR CAKE

A certain problem arises when you're both fit and a foodie—how to balance exercise with all that great food that needs eating? The answer: you do both. Mt Vic is a beautiful walk or run that results in the most spectacular view of the inner city and harbour. It takes about twenty minutes from the bottom of Marjoribanks street. On the way back, drop into Tomboy Cakery at Number 21 Marjoribanks for a quick bite — Kate, the amazing lady behind it is a true wiz in the kitchen, with delish cakes, sandwiches and savoury brioches. You may as well get a slice of cake for later too.