Tracks

Below a short description of walks and tracks :


Wellington and surroundings

Wellington - Bell's track (1 h return)

This was our first walk. Not because we chose it deliberately but because it just starts behind the house of our nice landlords.

Steep but nice walk that leads you to the Skyline walk.



Wellington - Skyline walkway (4 h return)

Stunning view over Wellington harbour and city and with a bit of luck also to the Southern Island across Cook's Strait.

More info on the walk here.



Wellington - Kaiwharawhara or Ngaio Gorge and Trelissick Park (2 h return)

Easy walking through the gorge below the railway line to Wellington. This walk was built and is managed by volunteers from Ngaio. Before this initiative the valley was a dump for almost anything you can think of. Now you can enjoy a nice walk and have a nice picnic on the way. More fotos here.


Wellington - Petone harbour walk (2 hour return)
Nothing spectacular but a nice walk through the golf course and than along the waterfront.





Belmont Regional Park - Belmont trig track (4 h return)
Strenous grade, you have to cross the river several times (so wear waterproof shoes). This walk has all you want: forest, farmland, view on Lower Hutt and Wellington.
Start from Oakleight Street via farmland to Belmont (457m) not the Korokoro Dam. This way is less exhausting.

Belmont Regional Park - Belmont park Korokoro + Stratton street track (5 h return)
You start at the foot of the Belmont park in Petone. Climbing up the hill can be slippery especially after heavy rainfall. More fotos here.




Belmont Park - Hill Road track (2 hour return)
This nice and easy walk starts at the carpark at the end of hill road. It leads through farmland and a number of World War II ammunition store houses. At the top of the hill you have a magnificient view on Porirua and Wellington Bay.


Porirua - Onepoto Foreshore/Whitireia walk (1.5 h round walk)
Very easy walk through and around the Whitireia Park where parts of "Lord of the Rings' was shot.




Pencarrow Head - Pencarrow and Lighthouse track (4.5 h round walk)
Easy walking along the Wellington Harbour coastline to Pancarrow lighthouse. asd

Start at Eastbourne, proceed through Burdans Gate and follow the gravel road and enjoy the stunning view from the lighthouse onto Cook Strait.





East Harbour Regional Park - Dillon loop in Eastbourne (1 hour return)
Well-formed walking track from Dillon Street up to Ngaumatau, including a loop option.




Ngapunga - Konini saddle - Dry creek zig zag - track (2 hour return)
There are some amazing tracks in the Hayward Scenic Reserve that is situated on the Eastern Hills of the Hutt Valley.



East Harbour Regional Park - Wainumata track (3 hour return)

You turn to the left right on top of the hill road leading to Wainumata. Stunning view if there is no fog!




Puriri track - Main Ridge track - Lees Grove track (2 hour return)
Several tracks lead from Wainuiomata to the hights of the Main Ridge track. We chose the steep Puriri track as entrance to the East Harbour Regional Park.



Orongorongo track in Catchpool Valley (3.5 hour return)

Very nice track to the Orongorongo river. Start at the carpark 12km south of Wainuomata. It is well-developed track passing through different types of bush and leads to the Orongorongo river. Once in the valley take a picnic lunch and plenty to drink as this walk is worth the whole day out. Some pictures here.

Birchville dam track (2 hour return)

A nice walk  through the Akatarawa forest. Some pictures here.










Boulder Hill track (2 hour return)

An easy walk with stunning views on Wellington bay and Hutt Valley.
Pictures here.







Battle Hill Farm Forest Park - Battle Hill track (2 hour return)
A short but steep walk (at least at the beginning) in a truely historic environment. 
Some fotos.



Kapiti coast - Kapiti coastal track (2 hour return)

This nice and easy walk starts along the beach of Kapiti and back through the dunes. Starts at the carpark of Queen Elisabth Park.



Kaitoke Regional Park - Norbett Creek Loop (2 hour return)
This steep route follow Norbett Creek before climbing up a beech forest clad ridge. There you will be rewarded with great views of the Hutt Valley south to Wellington harbour. 



Wairarapa

On the way to Wairarapa and around Lake ferry.

Turakirae Head track (4h round walk)
This is a nice easy walk along the seaside. Access to Turakirae Head is through Orongorongo Station which is a working farm and private property. It takes about 45 minutes to walk to Turakirae Head. Fur seals are present in highest numbers during winter. More fotos here. If you want to learn more about Turakirae Head.

Hawkes Bay

Natural trail in Te Mata Trust park, Hastings (4h round walk)

Te Mata Peak is at the western boundary of the wine-producing Heretaunga Plains and stands nearly 400 metres above sea level. From the summit of the peak you can enjoy panoramic views of the Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharuru Ranges and Cape Kidnappers. The nature trails on Te Mata Peak are great for hikers. The hiking trails lead through forest and along limestone valleys.

Far North

Cap Reinga and the Kauri forests (1-4h round walk)
Great walks through the natural reserve park of Cap Reinga.
The name of the cape comes from the Māori word 'Reinga', meaning the 'Underworld'.

The Kauri trees (up to 2000 years old) in the forests around the Parataiko Range.

"Lord of the Forest" is one of the highlights of the Kauri Coast. The superb Forest Sanctuary abounding with rare New Zealand flora and fauna, mighty kauri, nocturnal kiwi, feather-like ferns, amongst a sub-tropical rainforest - Waipoua Kauri Sanctuary.

The road through the forest passes by some splendid huge kauris. More fotos from Far North.

Marlborough Sound

Queen Charlotte Track (4 days)

One of the "Great walks" of New Zealand. From Ship Cove (Captain Cook's first step on the South Island) to Anakiwa. Spectacular views. More info here and more fotos here.