Entrepreneur, entertainer, madam and mayoral candidate Carmen Rupe was based in Wellington for less than 15-years but has left us a rich legacy of memories and inspiring moments.

Join us on this free 90-minute community walk-tour as we trace Carmen’s Wellington years (1967-1980). We’ll visit some of the remaining inner-city business locations and imagine some of those that are no longer here: Le Balcon, Carmen’s International Coffee Lounge, The Peacock, Cleopatra’s Coffee Lounge, Carmen’s Bazaar, The Gazebo massage parlour, The Cottage brothel and Carmen’s Curio Shop.

Learn about Carmen’s landmark 1966 court case, her race to become Mayor of Wellington in the 1970s, and how she supported and offered a safe harbour to Wellington’s Takatāpui LGBTI Rainbow communities.

“I would more or less hypnotise all my guests like a black widow spider and trap my clients caught in my web. As people left my coffee lounge at 6am or earlier I would splash them with Carmen’s exotic juice which meant that they would be back another night for more. The scent would guide them to me. Some would hear my voice calling like an eerie whisper from the depths of darkness.” [from Carmen’s autobiography]

Next tour:  Upcoming tour dates are listed here

Starts: by the rugby statue, Jack Ilott Green, corner Harris Street and Jervois Quay (just by Civic Square)

Ends: Upper Cuba Street

Duration: 90 minutes

Cost / Bookings: the tour is free but you do need to register here

Areas covered: Civic Square, Cuba Street, Ghuznee Street, Tory Street and Vivian Street

Accessibility information: most of the tour is on flat public footpaths. There is one location with a small number of steps (but an alternative route can be taken). Tours are limited to approximately 20 walkers.

Previous tour dates: 9 July 2022, 4 September 2022, 30 October 2022, 4 December 2022