Few capital cities offer walks with such spectacular views as the section of the Te Araroa walkway from Porirua to the top of the Cable Car in Wellington’s Botanical Gardens. On a clear day, the views stretch up to Mt Taranaki in the north, across to the South Island’s Kaikoura Ranges and Marlborough Sounds, and embrace the city’s attractive harbour and hillside suburbs. The easy accessibility of the start and end points for the 24km walk, and the many exit points along the way for those unable to complete the full distance, add to its appeal. However, it does take over 8 hours, including stops, so a high level of fitness is recommended to do it all in one day.
Times: Porirua- Ohariu Valley Cross Roads 9kms -2 1/2 Hrs
Ohariu Valley Cross Roads -Mt Kaukau 4kms - 1 1/2 hrs
Mt Kaukau -Trelissick Park 4kms 1 1/4 hrs
Trelissick Park-Tinakori Road 4kms 1 1/2 hrs
Tinakori Road-Cable Car 1km 25 mins
Getting There
From Porirua Rail Station exit via Station Road.
Cross Lyttelton Street at pedestrian crossing and turn right.
On Northern edge of New World Supermarket car park turn left onto pathway.
Follow path to under cover city centre & Information Centre.
From Information Centre cross the carpark.
Cross pedestrian crossing on Hagley Street and turn left.
Cross Titahi Bay Road at lights/crossing.
Cross Hagley Street again towards south.
Join Raiha walkway from grass verge.
Follow signed route along grass beside Te Wananga drive way.
Continue along walkway through to Raiha Street.
Exit to right. Walk 2-300 metre to Colonial Knob Walkway Car park on left (Past Elsdon Camp).
Follow marked track up Colonial Knob.
Follow Markers down other side (white poles with yellow circles) to edge of Spicer Forest.
Cross style following fenceline on edge of forest.
Sharp left 1/2 way down into forest and steep zigzag.
Exit forest into clearing, around edge of fence & follow markers.
Along vehicle track with wide grass verge.
Sharp right where marked track re-enters forest.
Steep marked route through trees.
Exit left into Ohariu Valley Road.
Walk along road (approx 5kms) to crossroads.
Straight through crossroads to Rifle Range Road- to end.
Enter Old Coach Road. Optional exit into Johnsonville at Truscott Ave.
Or continue along marked track towards television antennae mast on Mt Kaukau.
Optional exit down to Woodmancoate Road, Khandallah.
Or continue south beyond lookout platform on Skyline walkway.
Exit at Awarua Street, Ngaio.
Follow road down. Right into Cummings Park.
Exit right on Ottawa Road.
Continue past round-about and cross at pedestrain crossing.
Walk south along east side of road. Left into Trelissick Park off Wakowhai Road.
Follow Northern Walkway signs.
Through Wightwicks field, across Koromiko Stream.
Up hill to clearing. Right into Bush (Northern Walkway).
Exit right into Hanover Street.
Up hill to Wadestown Road & turn left.
Cross the road before the shops to steps leading to Weld Street.
Up Weld Street, crossing Margaret & Wade Streets.
Near top of hill, left into Tinakori Hill Section of Northern Walkway.
Follow Northern Walkway.
Exit into St Mary's Street.
At this point leave the Northern Walkway and turn right into Tinakori Road.
Cross road at Founders Entrance to Botanic Gardens on pedestrian crossing.
Enter Botanic Gardens and follow markers along sealed path via Fragrant garden, Tree House Visitors centre, Wakefield Way, Succulent Garden and Myrtle Way to cable car to Wellington City Centre
Going Further
To walk all the way through to the south coast, you can join the City to Sea Walkway in the Botanical Gardens, ending at Island Bay. Maps for this 12 km walk are available from the Wellington City Council, www.feelinggreat.co.nz/facilities-and-venues/walkways-and-tracks
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