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Section 58 of 93 · Wellington/Kapiti

Ara Harakeke (Flax Pathway)

Distance
13.4 km
Time
3 to 3.5 hours
Grade
Easy
Ascent
162 m
High point
88 m
Type
Day walk

Walking this section

Introduction

Te Araroa section: Travel from the small seaside suburb of Pukerua Bay, at the southern end of the Kapiti Coast, past Plimmerton’s friendly beaches and through to the multicultural harbour city of Porirua.

This track comprises three short, easy sections:

  1. Pukerua Bay to Plimmerton — 1:20 hours
  2. Plimmerton to Pāremata Bridge — 40 minutes
  3. Pāremata Bridge to Porirua Railway Station — 1 hour

Ara Harekeke Footpath to Porirua - 13.5km 

The route starts by heading south (right) along the footpath on the right-hand side of State Highway 1, passing a wooden sculpture until it reaches Arā Harakeke ("Flax Pathway")

At Whenua Tapu Cemetery, continue on Arā Harakeke past the large Taupō Swamp. At Northpoint Street, go south. Continue to the railway underpass onto Steyne Avenue. Turn left, and just before Steyne Avenue crosses the Main Trunk Line, turn right to the coastal pathway (still Arā Harakeke). Follow the path then under the railway, exit the walkway across the car park, and cross the Mana/Pāremata Bridge over the Pāuatahanui Estuary mouth.

Proceed to the second pink pedestrian rail overbridge via the Pāremata station platform. Exit the overbridge to the right along Pāremata Crescent, becoming Papakowhai Road. Continue along Papakowhai Road, then to Aotea Lagoon across the road on the right. Toilets en route at Plimmerton and Aotea Lagoon.

Exit Aotea lagoon at the main entrance (south). Cross Whitford Brown Avenue. At the pedestrian crossing and turn left, then right into Okowai Road. Enter into the Gear Homestead grounds on the right. Exit Gear Homestead, passing through the Adrenalin Forest. The Gear Homestead and the Aotea Lagoon both provide lovely picnic areas. If you are a daredevil, take time out for some heart-pumping action at the amazing Adrenalin Forest confidence course. 

Turn right onto the Aotea subdivision track to State Highway 1. Left into State Highway 1 walkway, then right onto The Ramp (road bridge to Porirua City). Turn left immediately over the bridge into Bullock Lane (beside the estuary) and follow a waterside path to Station Road. 

If continuing directly to Colonial Knob, take the 1.5km Raiha Walk to Elsdon Campground.

Getting there

Northern Start: Pukerua Bay shops on SH1
Southern End: Station Road, Porirua
Porirua provides a mixture of walkway cycleway, tramping tracks and road walking.
Elevation 162 m ascent · 0–88 m
0 km 13.4 km
GPX Full trail map

Track conditions

Potential hazards

  • Vehicles on road or track Rail service vehicles/cycles Plimmerton-Pāremata
  • Tides, waves and rivers - safer at low tide Can walk beach at Plimmerton
  • Few water sources

Accommodation

Plimmerton - en route

Plimmerton - en route Trail Hosts

  • Alicja Gear. 28 Muri Road, Pukerua bay. We have a big flat lawn for tenting, showers, laundry etc. if needed. We are about 2mins from the Pukerua Bay train station, just north of Wellington
    We also have a little cottage on airbnb which we have upgraded since last year so it's a bit more of a luxury. Happy to offer cheaper trail rates if people contact me directly.   P: 022 087 7064

Porirua

Food and supplies