Few capital cities offer walks with such spectacular views as the section of Te Araroa from Porirua to Wellington's suburbs of Johnsonville or Khandallah. 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. There is easy accessibility to the start and end points for the 15km walk.
Times: Porirua - Ohariu Valley Cross Roads 9kms - 2 1/2 Hrs
Ohariu Valley Cross Roads - Mt Kaukau 4kms - 1 1/2 hrs
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 driveway.
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 stile following fenceline on edge of forest.
Sharp left halfway 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 mast on Mt Kaukau.
Optional exit down to Woodmancoate Road, Khandallah.
Or continue south beyond lookout platform on Skyline Walkway. |
