Trail Notes

Northern Start

Junction of Oriental Parade and Carlton Gore Rd

Southern End

Shorland Park, Island Bay

Distance

11km

Time

3-4hr

Track Standard

Road margin Footpath Easy tramping track Tramping track Route Mixed grade

Description
(North to South)

From a small picnic area about 100m before Carlton Gore Rd the route climbs uphill on to the slopes of Mt Victoria, following Wellington’s ‘Southern Walkway’ for its full length right down to the south coast. Cover is mainly native bush but with various grassed areas, playing fields and two small pine tree plantations. There are short stretches of suburban roads.

From Mt Victoria the route is on a ridge and approximately parallel to Alexandra Rd, crossing the road several times. Early in the walk, keep an eye out for the "Summit Walkway" if you wish to pop up to the top to admire the views. There are numerous city walking tracks and mountain bike trails so keep focussed on the pink Southern Walkway signs. Some of these tracks are shared walking/cycle tracks, and cycle tracks also cross the walking tracks, so be alert.

The trail crosses Alexandra Park and passes the SPCA (animal) hospital and finally descends to Crawford Rd (major traffic). Cross Crawford Rd and climb up the narrow clay track. Turn left onto Paeroa St, right into Colville St and left into Coromandel St. At the top end of Coromandel St follow the steep paved zig-zag path onto the ridge amongst another small plantation of pine trees. Soon the trail climbs a few flights of steps and emerges into Truby King Historic Park. Exit the Park's long driveway and turn hard left onto Manchester St and very soon hard right onto Sutherland Crescent. This road ends at Melrose Park where the route skirts round the north side of the playing field which is also the Wellington Zoo boundary fence (see Hamadryas Baboon if you’re lucky).

At the far side of Melrose Park turn left and climb a steep clay track to the summit of Mt Albert (use marked high route option). Continue along ridge top then veer right past the new concrete reservoir and head downhill to Mt Albert Rd. Turn hard left on to Mt Albert Rd then right into Buckley Rd. After 200m turn left downhill into Sinclair Park. This grassed valley merges into Buckley Rd Reserve. At the bottom of the grassed paddock turn right and follow Houghton Bay Rd to the coast. Cross the road to the sea. Turn right and walk along the coast (1km) to Island Bay. At Island Bay veer right into Reef St, cross the street and enter Shorland Park at the far end at ‘The Parade’ corner. Walk through Shorland Park to the sea boundary where there is a stone cairn memorial to the end (or beginning) of Te Araroa in the North Island.

Potential Hazards

Vehicles on road or track Multiple road crossings
Tides, waves & rivers - safer at low tide Take care on the south coast during storm conditions
Track exposed to sun, wind or cold

Description
(North to South)

From a small picnic area about 100m before Carlton Gore Rd the route climbs uphill on to the slopes of Mt Victoria, following Wellington’s ‘Southern Walkway’ for its full length right down to the south coast. Cover is mainly native bush but with various grassed areas, playing fields and two small pine tree plantations. There are short stretches of suburban roads.

From Mt Victoria the route is on a ridge and approximately parallel to Alexandra Rd, crossing the road several times. Early in the walk, keep an eye out for the "Summit Walkway" if you wish to pop up to the top to admire the views. There are numerous city walking tracks and mountain bike trails so keep focussed on the pink Southern Walkway signs. Some of these tracks are shared walking/cycle tracks, and cycle tracks also cross the walking tracks, so be alert.

The trail crosses Alexandra Park and passes the SPCA (animal) hospital and finally descends to Crawford Rd (major traffic). Cross Crawford Rd and climb up the narrow clay track. Turn left onto Paeroa St, right into Colville St and left into Coromandel St. At the top end of Coromandel St follow the steep paved zig-zag path onto the ridge amongst another small plantation of pine trees. Soon the trail climbs a few flights of steps and emerges into Truby King Historic Park. Exit the Park's long driveway and turn hard left onto Manchester St and very soon hard right onto Sutherland Crescent. This road ends at Melrose Park where the route skirts round the north side of the playing field which is also the Wellington Zoo boundary fence (see Hamadryas Baboon if you’re lucky).

At the far side of Melrose Park turn left and climb a steep clay track to the summit of Mt Albert (use marked high route option). Continue along ridge top then veer right past the new concrete reservoir and head downhill to Mt Albert Rd. Turn hard left on to Mt Albert Rd then right into Buckley Rd. After 200m turn left downhill into Sinclair Park. This grassed valley merges into Buckley Rd Reserve. At the bottom of the grassed paddock turn right and follow Houghton Bay Rd to the coast. Cross the road to the sea. Turn right and walk along the coast (1km) to Island Bay. At Island Bay veer right into Reef St, cross the street and enter Shorland Park at the far end at ‘The Parade’ corner. Walk through Shorland Park to the sea boundary where there is a stone cairn memorial to the end (or beginning) of Te Araroa in the North Island.

Downloads

Download Map 1 (map075)

Download Trail Notes (Wellington South)

Trail Map

Note: Map is indicative only

Toggle Track

Additional Information

Extra Info

To reach the South Island and continue your walk you will need to return to Wellington to catch a ferry. Buses leave every 10 minutes from The Parade beside Shorland Park.

General information
i-SITE Visitor Centre - Civic Square, Cnr Victoria & Wakefield Sts - P: 04 802 4860.
Department of Conservation Visitor Centre - 18 Manners St - P: 04 384 7770 - E: wellingtonvc@doc.govt.nz.

Getting there/away
Interislander ferry to/from Wellington & Picton - multiple departures daily - P: 0800 802 802
Bluebridge - P: 0800 844 844
Air New Zealand - regular flights to and from Wellington - P: 0800 737 000
Jetstar - P: 0800 800 995
InterCity - P: 04 385 0520
Naked Bus - P: 0900 62533 (calls cost)

Rental Cars – multiple options available
Mana Bus - P: 09 367 9140

Accommodation
Full range of hostel, motel and other accommodation providers including:
YHA Wellington - 292 Wakefield Street, Te Aro, Wellington P: 04 801 7280 E: wellington@yha.co.nz
Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers - 1 Bunny St, Wellington - P: 0800 225 725 - W: www.hotelwaterloo.co.nz
Base Wellington - 23 Cambridge Tce, Wellington - P: 0800 2273 69 or 04 801 5666 - E: wellington@stayatbase.com - W: www.stayatbase.com/hostels/new-zealand-hostels/base-wellington
BBH Lodge in the City - 152 Taranaki St, Wellington - P: 04 385 8560 - E: enquiries@lodgeinthecity.co.nz - W: www.lodgeinthecity.co.nz
Nomads Capital Backpackers - 118-120 Wakefield St - P: 0508 666 237 - W: www.nomadsworld.com
Wild Zebra Backpackers - 58 Tory St, Wellington - P: 0508 00 5858 - E: reception@wildzebrabackpackers.co.nz - W: www.wildzebrabackpackers.co.nz

Requirements

Keep to the track
Respect private land

Environment

Take all rubbish with you
Use toilets provided along route

Amenities
(Start)

Full range of amenities in Wellington CBD
Toilets Oriental Bay
Shop
Accommodation As above

Amenities
(On Route)

Toilets
Shop adjacent to route

Amenities
(End)

Full range of amenities in Island Bay and back in Wellington CBD
Roadside parking only Suburban
Picnic area Shorland Park or beach
Toilets Shorland Park
Shop Dairy South end of The Parade 200m from end track
Accommodation As above

Closest Town(s)

Wellington City (160,000)

Managed by

WCC Parks and Reserves Dept

Contact

WCC 04 499-4444